Monday 31 October 2005: Film Australia and the NSW Film and Television Office (FTO) today announced the appointment of documentary company Iris Pictures to their $150,000 Hothouse business development pilot scheme.

Film Australia CEO Daryl Karp said the full approval of the selection committee for the filmmakers Jessica Douglas-Henry and Mary-Ellen Mullane had endorsed their clear objectives for the company’s strategic growth, their impressive record in domestic production and their positioning for expansion internationally. They replace the previous team who withdrew following an intense period of development.

Producer/director Jessica Douglas-Henry has some 25 years experience in the industry and is best known for her award–winning film Emily’s Eyes. Other credits include the experimental documentary The Hundredth Room and, with Mary-Ellen producing, she also directed the four–part series Handle With Care and the critically acclaimed Our Brother James.

Producer Mary-Ellen Mullane has been working in Australian documentary film and video production for close to 20 years. In 1994 she was awarded the World Health Organisation Travelling Fellowship to review public health media production around the world. Following a FTO Fellowship she also produced Dr Fruit-Loop Goes to East Timor. This year the team completed work as co-director and co-producers on the Film Australia documentary series, Divorce Stories andthey have just delivered a one–hour documentary Maternity Unit.

“The Iris Pictures team have completed the first phase of the Hothouse, which involves an advanced business planning workshop with UK business strategists Jonathon Olsberg and Richard Miller, and they were able to hone and improve their business model,” Daryl Karp said.

She said the initial six months of the Hothouse pilot had shown good progress, with the first team of Margie Bryant, Jennifer Cummins and Danielle Roet participating in the business planning process and opting out of the scheme for a different business model.

Iris Pictures have developed a business plan that includes targeting strategic alliances, identifying new revenue streams beyond broadcast–only models, leveraging their track record to develop locally and internationally focused projects, and re-branding the company for future growth.

“The selection committee were impressed with this vision as a potential model for other documentary makers, and we have decided to extend the timeframe of the pilot to allow this to come to fruition,” Daryl Karp said.

“Sustainable production companies are pivotal to the continued growth and success of the industry. Based on the support offered under the Hothouse scheme, we believe Iris Pictures will be able to make effective and strategic plans for their future,” said Sally Browning, Acting Chief Executive, FTO.

The Hothouse pilot aims to support a team of independent documentary filmmakers to establish a viable business. The scheme provides the filmmakers with $100,000 as well as on-site production services, facilities, training and advice, with particular emphasis on developing business and marketing skills. Additional support is provided by the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, Holding Redlich and Horwarths (NSW) Pty Ltd Chartered Accountants and Management Consultants.