Shortcuts (M133)

Australia's only national screen culture body, the Australian Film Institute (AFI), has had to close down or reduce a number of its screen culture activities in the wake of severe funding cuts by the Australian Film Commission (AFC). A distribution process that has seen the wide dissemination of the films of Australian filmmakers to a variety of hirers and purchasers for more than twenty years has been wound up; the national cinematheque, which last year saw a massive increase in audiences, has been reduced to three cities; and the AFI's excellent library, its Research and Information (R&I) arm, has had to cut back its staff and the hours it is open to users. Unless the AFI can find another source of funding, the future of this invaluable resource is under a cloud. 'We're looking at saving money in any way we can, and maintaining R&I on reduced services', says AFI Chair, Denny Lawrence. 'Is there a benefactor out there for this invaluable resource?'