Digital streaming platforms have upended the global screen industry, with our government and many of those around the world slowly coming to terms with this. It’s timely to therefore ask how progress on regulation in Australia compares to what’s happening in other comparable markets? What are the other key issues facing the screen industry that also need to be on our local and international policy agenda?  
 
Like Australia, Canada and Ireland are English-language nations with strong domestic screen industries and which are facing many common challenges from the growing market domination of digital streaming platforms. With Australia and Canada currently actively considering legislation to regulate streamers, it is timely to consider how each country is approaching this and the common issues being tackled. 

Regulatory responses are seeking to balance the interests of local audience access to each country’s own culture and at the same time, maintaining and building a sustainable domestic industry and dealing with the changed dynamics that streaming brings. Getting the balance right is not an easy task for any government. Important issues like building more capacity in the sector, ownership and control of intellectual property and the future of the independent screen sector are also important factors to consider.

Session produced by Jane Mulligan - Screen Producers Australia

Moderated by Marta Dusseldorp - Archipelago Productions