Sony Tropfest, together with industry partners, the Arts Law Centre and the NSW Film & Television Office (FTO) held a legal seminar/information night in December 2003 at the Gaelic Club in Sydney for all prospective Tropfest filmmakers. Speakers included Serena Paull from Tropfest, Garry Brennan from the FTO, Peter Carstairs and Ant Horn, both from Arts Law.
All Tropfest filmmakers are confronted with a range of legal issues some of which they may not immediately be aware of. Therefore in an attempt to bring some of these issues to light prior to the filmmakers making their films, the panellists spoke for three hours on a range of legal issues which affect all stages in the filmmaking process and included an in depth Q and A.
The topics focussed on by Ant Horn included the use of music, performers rights, censorship and how these areas relate to film, whilst Peter Carstairs cavassed copyright, moral rights and the use of copyright protects material in films. Garry Brennan talked locations in NSW, permits, safety and public liability insurance and Serena Paull outlined Tropfest’s complex licensing requirements for entrants.
According to Serena, “The night was invaluable in terms of providing filmmakers with a broad understanding of the legal issues they face in each step of the filmmaking process”. She acknowledges Sony Tropfest as a massive success this year with over 660 entries and a national audience of 130,000 people of the 16 finalist films.
The night would not have been such a success without the efforts of all the staff at the Arts Law Centre and Sony Tropfest. We would also like to thank Serena Paull and Garry Brennan for coming to speak, the Gaelic Club for its premises and Inside Film. Arts Law together with Sony Tropfest hope to continue to provide legal seminars for future entrants of Sony Tropfest.
Wei-Ling Chan is a law student and volunteer at the Arts Law Centre of Australia.
