Creators and Industry Leaders Gather at Parliament House for Behind The Streams
Australia’s streaming sector gathered at Parliament House on Tuesday for Behind the Streams, an industry showcase celebrating the creative talent behind locally made productions, with Arts Minister Tony Burke describing Australian storytelling as “absolutely fundamental nation building.”
Hosted by comedian and actor Nina Oyama, the event brought together creators, producers, performers, policymakers and executives from Netflix, Prime Video, Paramount+, Apple TV+, Disney+ and Industrial Light & Magic to highlight the growing impact streaming services are having on Australian production and global audiences.
Addressing the audience, Burke said Australian screen stories play a vital role in helping the nation understand itself while also shaping how the world sees Australia.
“You make sure that we see that our stories matter. And we see stories in locations that we know. We see stories among people where we recognise bits of their story,” Burke said.
“We know them because you let us know how other Australians feel, because you make sure we ride the roller coaster of emotion and excitement with them. And that matters. That is absolutely fundamental nation building.”
The Minister said local productions help Australians better understand one another while offering international audiences a more authentic picture of the country.
“You make sure we know ourselves, we know each other, and the world knows us. That matters. It’s really important,” he said.
“We get that nation-building part of learning about other parts of our country and other people within our country who we otherwise might never have known.”
“The world gets to see us. They, for a long time, have seen people who come from here tell their stories. But now they also get a window into our stories and understand Australia not simply as some travel destination.”
The event showcased a slate of Australian productions currently in development or nearing release across the major streaming platforms.
Paramount+ highlighted their dramas Dalliance and Two Years Later, with Paramount Australia and New Zealand President Beverley McGarvey joined by actor Heather Mitchell and producers Tracey Robertson and John Edwardsto discuss the productions.
Prime Video offered insights into their second season of Deadloch which is currently screening, with Amazon MGM Studios Head of Australian Originals Sarah Christie and actor Luke Hemsworth discussing the international appeal of distinctly Australian storytelling and the local crews helping bring those productions to life.
Netflix previewed its adaptation of My Brilliant Career, with Netflix Australia and New Zealand Director of Content Amanda Duthie joined by Jungle Entertainment executive producer Chloe Rickard to discuss the new interpretation of Miles Franklin’s literary classic.
Apple TV+ also unveiled fresh details about its first Australian original series, Last Seen, with Josh Machin introducing the project and offering attendees an early glimpse of the upcoming drama.
Beyond the productions themselves, Behind the Streams placed a strong emphasis on the thousands of Australians working behind the camera.
Industrial Light & Magic highlighted the work of its Sydney studio, now home to more than 500 artists whose visual effects credits include global hits Stranger Things and The Mandalorian. Interactive demonstrations of creature design, special effects make-up and visual effects also underscored the breadth of specialist skills supporting Australia’s screen industry.
The event also reinforced the economic contribution of locally produced screen content, with speakers noting that streaming investment continues to create employment opportunities for Australian writers, directors, performers, technicians and post-production businesses while helping local productions reach audiences around the world.
The showcase comes as streaming services continue to increase their investment in Australian originals, with locally produced series such as Deadloch, My Brilliant Career, Dalliance, Last Seen, Two Years Later and Last King of the Cross forming part of an increasingly diverse slate designed for both domestic and international audiences.
To learn more about Streaming for Australia and the people and productions behind the industry, visit streamingforaustralia.com.au