Following a strong show of support from members at the Mercury CX (MCX) extraordinary general meeting on Thursday November 24, a group of South Australian screen industry professionals have become the new Board of the MCX, effective as of midnight on Wednesday November 30.
Since this date, the new Board has been working to ascertain a detailed picture of the MCX’s financial position and its current operations to allow it to make an informed decision about the future of the organisation.
As indicated by the previous MCX Board, the organisation was almost certain to become insolvent if it continued to operate under its current operating model – unless significant action was taken. Having examined the MCX’s accounting, the new Board agrees and has been forced to make difficult decisions regarding staffing in order to significantly reduce overheads.
A skeleton staff will remain to keep the organisation functional and the new Board has engaged former GM of MusicSA Lisa Bishop as Interim General Manager, replacing outgoing CEO, Karena Slaninka.
Bishop, an experienced board director and freelance film producer, will work to secure partnerships and investigate new operating models that will hopefully allow a sustainable future for the MCX.
The Board would like to sincerely thank the staff whose contracts are due to end, and acknowledge the passion, skills and expertise that they have brought to the MCX. The new Board has assured current recipients of funding that the MCX will continue to work with them to ensure the successful delivery of their short films and is looking at all possible options to allow the Mercury cinema to continue to operate.
The new Board has been heartened by the response from members since the transition and the offers of support it has received. The organisation has a passionate past and current membership and is a well-loved pillar of the South Australian screen industry. The new Board believes the organisation has the opportunity to play an important role in the South Australian screen ecosystem and is working faithfully to secure this.
The Board has already begun to consult closely with key industry stakeholders such as the South Australian Film Corporation, Screen Australia, Adelaide Film Festival, Academy of Interactive Entertainment, Channel 44, South Australian universities and other learning institutions that are focused on the screen industry. The new Board has also collaborated with the Department for Industry, Innovation and Science, and Minister for Arts Andrea Michaels MP, to consider the findings of the review of the MCX commissioned by the previous State Government which, among other things, found that the current business model of the MCX was unsustainable.
Co-Chairs of the new Board are Emmy Award-winning producer at Epic Films, Kirsty Stark, and former SA Film Corporation chair and Mess Productions producer, Peter Hanlon. Board members include University of SA Associate Professor Kath Dooley; Business Development professional Chris Leese; director Madeleine Parry, of Mess Productions; Highview Productions producer Lisa Scott; Closer Productions producer Rebecca Summerton and lawyer Adrian Tisato.
The Board is encouraging MCX members to participate in a survey to offer their feedback on the organisation and its future.
Co-Chairs Kirsty Stark and Peter Hanlon said today: “We are committed to exploring every avenue we can to keep this cherished institution operating independently. Nevertheless, we are fully aware of the parlous financial condition of the Mercury CX and, as such, will explore all opportunities to ensure the critical functions of the Mercury CX continue. We look forward to continuing conversations with members as our work progresses.”
Minister for Arts Andrea Michaels MP said: “We remain committed to supporting our State’s vibrant screen sector and I look forward to working with the incoming MCX Board, comprised of highly regarded industry leaders, as it develops a sustainable operating model. The South Australian Government is providing a contribution of $50,000 to MCX, to assist the board while it reviews the organisation.”
