There’ve been calls for more federal funding of the creative industries today.

A special forum has heard the multi-billion dollar industry is larger than the manufacturing and tourism sectors.

Louise Cheer reports.

TRANSCRIPT

The creative industries sector in Australia employs half a million people and is comprised of 155,000 businesses.

Its importance was one of the focuses of the opening session at this year’s Creative3 forum.

The line-up includes Andrew Mason, who produced The Matrix films, two-time Grammy-winning art designer Stefan Sagmeister, and Shainiel Deo, CEO of Halfbrick Studios, the company who brought smartphone users Fruit Ninja.

But the forum heard unless the sector has more federal funding – it will stunt the creativity of Australians.

Andrew Mason, Film Producer: “There’s no kind of undercurrent, no group of people coming up.”

He says this is due to a lack of awareness amongst investors.

Andrew Mason, Film Producer: “It’s actually pretty commercially attractive to invest in creative industries and intellectual property.”

Anna Rooke says the extent of funds available depend on which state you’re in, but creators are still struggling to know where to start.

Anna Rooke, CEO QUT Creative Enterprise: “That’s really part of the conversation at Creative3 is to try and help creators understand what support is available on their own doorstep.”

The Creative3 forum is a three-day event, and continues tomorrow at the State Library and on Friday at QUT Gardens Point.

Louise Cheer, QUT News.