Film and Television Law Conference
This industry-leading legal event brings together renowned legal, financial and industry experts to explore key issues affecting film and television law. Split into two practical sessions, the morning focuses on key legal industry updates, sponsorship considerations, music licence agreements, insurance risks and finance plans. In the afternoon gain critical knowledge on employment essentials, entertainment visa’s and sexual harassment complaint handling in practice. 223N26
Description
Attend and earn 7 CPD units in Substantive Law
6.5 units in Substantive Law
0.5 unit in Professional Skills
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Session 1
Regulatory, Contractual and Financial Arrangements
Chair: Janine Lapworth, Senior Consultant, Simpsons Solicitors
9.00am to 9.50am What is the future for Australia’s communications sector regulatory framework?
In late 2019, as part of its response to the ACCC’s Digital Platforms Inquiry Final Report, the Australian Government announced potentially sweeping reforms impacting on the media and content sector. These regulatory reforms were largely intended to “level the playing field” to ensure that content was regulated in the same manner, however it was accessed by consumers. The proposals, to be implemented over 2 stages, were:
- Stage 1: Development of a uniform classification framework across all platforms, reform of content obligations (including drama and children’s content) and other support for Australian film and television content; and
- Stage 2: A review of advertising regulation across all platforms, assessing how regulation is monitored and enforced and implementation of a “coherent legal framework”.
This work was scheduled to be completed by the end of 2020. This session will look at some of the reforms that have been achieved, the proposals the Government is still consulting on and what the final regulatory landscape may look like in this area.
Presented by Angela Flannery, Partner, Holding Redlich; Listed in Who’s Who Legal as a Global Leader – Telecoms and Media 2020
9.50am to 10.40am Talent, Brand Ambassador and Sponsorship Agreements
- Setting yourself up to get value from your arrangements (and to protect your brand)
- Competition and consumer law issues to keep in mind at the point of contracting and during the term, including exclusivity and misleading conduct issues
- Other compliance issues, including industry codes applicable to the form of media and type of advertising, and defamation considerations (following the Voller decision)
Presented by Rebecca Lindhout, Special Counsel, McCullough Robertson and Calli Tsipidis Legal Counsel, Foxtel Group
10.40am to 10.55am Morning Tea
10.55am to 11.45am Dissecting Composer Commissions and Music Licence Agreements
- Analysis of rights and obligations in Composer Commission Agreements
- Review of important terms in Music Licence Agreements
- Reflection on the needs and wants of musicians/music owners vs production companies
Presented by Chris Chow, Managing Director, Creative Lawyers
11.45am to 12.35pm Finance Plans and Investment Plans
Join an Investment and Development Manager from Screen Australia as he takes you through the current challenges that producers face when putting together a finance plan.
- Gain critical knowledge in how to balance the competing interests of financiers, distributors and broadcasters
Presented by Christopher Sharp, Head of Scripted, Screen Australia
Professional Skills
12.35pm to 1.15pm Managing Insurance Risks
- Contracts and talent, staff & crew: insurer and lawyer collaboration
- Managing offloading risk
- Protecting the budget money
- Key insurance considerations in light of COVID-19
- Managing cyber risks
- Investor requirements and understanding their needs
Presented by David McEwan, Founding Director, Galvaniize Insurance
Session 2
Current Employment Concerns in Film and TV
Chair: Helen Macdonald, Head of Business Affairs, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
2.00pm to 3.00pm Employment Essentials in the Film & TV Industry: Getting it Right and Why it’s So Important
- Employees and entitlements, including types of employment and sources of entitlements (industrial instruments, Fair Work Act)
- Other forms of workers like labour hire and independent contractors
- The distinction between independent contractors and employees
- Some interesting recent case law
Presented by Nicola Josey, Employment Relations Counsel, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
3.00pm to 4.00pm Entertainment Visas: Practicalities of Importing Talent and Understanding Immigration Requirements
- Eligibility criteria: Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Visa for cast and crew
- External consultation process
- Compliance considerations
- Travel exemption framework and quarantine requirements
Presented by Cherie Wright, Special Counsel, Fragomen; Accredited Immigration Law Specialist
4.00pm to 4.15pm Afternoon Tea
4.15pm to 5.15pm A PANEL DISCUSSION: Sexual Harassment: Awareness and Prevention
- Relevant case studies
- Refresher on the Australian Industry Code of Practice: Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Harassment & Bullying (Code)
- Complaint handling under the Code: practical tips
Presented by Nick Murray, Managing Director, CJZ; Amber Sharp, Partner, McCullough Robertson
Presenters
Janine Lapworth
Janine Lapworth joined Simpsons Solicitors after running her own entertainment law practice for several years. She has broad corporate, commercial, intellectual property, entertainment and litigation experience, gained at national and international law firms and in senior in-house legal positions at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in Sydney and ESPN Star Sports in Singapore. She works with a wide range of clients based in Australia and overseas, including international studios, industry groups, tech start-ups and other creative businesses. Janine’s current areas of practice are diverse, from television production and distribution to publishing and general intellectual property advice and contracting.
Angela Flannery
Angela is a partner in Holding Redlich’s Corporate and Commercial group. Angela has over 20 years’ experience as a partner in private practice and in senior Australian Federal Government roles including roles as General Counsel and First Assistant Secretary at the Department of Communications and the Arts. She has broad commercial law expertise in both transactional and regulatory matters, with a focus on telecommunications, media and technology (TMT) as well as privacy and cyber security. Angela is an Officer of the Communications Law Committee, International Bar Association. She is also a member of the Law Council of Australia, Media and Communications Committee and the Australian management committee for the International Institute of Communications.
Rebecca Lindhout
Rebecca Lindhout is Special Counsel in McCullough Robertson’s Digital & IP Team. She acts across a broad range of TMT matters, including media rights, sponsorship, talent, marketing, telco, technology procurement and technology services agreements. She also advises on general commercial arrangements and the IP/IT aspects of corporate transactions. Rebecca obtained her law degree from Oxford University and trained at Slaughter and May in London, including on secondment to ITV where she was Commercial Affairs Executive (Sport). She also spent a number of years working in the legal team at FOX SPORTS Australia. Rebecca is a member of the executive committee of the Communications and Media Law Association (CAMLA).
Calli Tsipidis
Calli is Legal Counsel at Foxtel Group, working across the FOX SPORTS Australia, Kayo Sports, BINGE, Flash and Foxtel brands. She advises the sports content and production, sales, partnerships, digital product and marketing teams, and was a key stakeholder supporting the build and launch of Flash, BINGE, Kayo Freebies and Pay-Per-View on Kayo. In 2021, Calli was a Finalist across multiple categories in the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards, Australian Law Awards, Corporate Counsel Awards and 30 Under 30 Awards. Calli has also served as Chair of the CAMLA Young Lawyers Committee in 2020 and 2021.
Chris Chow
Chris Chow is the founder and Managing Director of Creative Lawyers. He specialises in advising clients on contractual, commercial and intellectual property matters in the entertainment and creative industries. Chris has spent his entire career working with clients involved in music, film, TV, games/software, content and otherwise creative endeavours, helping them achieve practical solutions, protect their rights and assist in dispute resolution. Chris founded the firm in 2012, and it has since become a one-stop-shop for clients in the entertainment and creative industries.
David McEwan
David McEwan is the Founding Director of Galvaniize Insurance. He has over 20 + years’ experience. Having worked within small, medium and large international insurance firms, then establishing his own firm his knowledge of the insurance industry is vast, considerable and provides a wealth of expertise and experience to his clientele. David McEwan Galvaniize Insurance has established themselves as one of the leading Film & TV insurance brokers in Australia focussing on helping the industry as a whole from small to large productions.
Helen Macdonald
Helen Macdonald is Head of Business Affairs at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. She has a passion for content and has worked in the media and entertainment industry for many years. Helen has held senior roles at both public and commercial broadcasters, working across a wide range of content with a particular focus on drama commissions and high value multi-finance productions. In her current role, Helen leads the team responsible for negotiating deals for commissioned and acquired content into the digital future. Prior to her career in media, Helen worked in the music industry as a solicitor in Legal & Business Affairs.
Nicola Josey
Nicola Josey is Employment Counsel at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Nicola is a specialist employment and industrial relations lawyer with experience both in-house and in private practice. At the ABC, Nicola supports, advises, and represents the organisation on a range of matters from forms of engagement and the application of industrial instruments to employment-related litigation. Nicola holds a Bachelor of Liberal Studies from the University of Sydney and a Juris Doctor from the University of Technology, Sydney. Nicola is also a registered marriage celebrant so embraces all the drama and comedy that both real life and the media/entertainment industry have to offer
Cherie Wright
Cherie is an Australian immigration lawyer based in Fragomen's Sydney office. She is a Special Counsel and Accredited Immigration Law Specialist. She provides specialist advice to individual applicants in family migration, temporary entry to Australia, skilled migration and business skills visas, as well as Australian citizenship applications and related issues. She is also the manager of the Centre for International Employment and Migration (CENTIEM), where she regularly runs workforce migration training workshops for human resources professionals. Cherie has practiced in immigration law since 2000 and has extensive experience in both corporate and private client matters. In addition to her time with Fragomen in Australia, Cherie spent close to one year in the London office, developing Australian-based work for Australia and New Zealand. She is also a Notary Public in NSW.
Nick Murray
Nick is the MD and co-owner of CJZ. He has a unique and very broad background in TV – as a producer and network executive at both cable and free-to air networks. His credits span comedy, light entertainment, drama and factual production as Producer and Executive Producer. Nick is known as Mr Fix-It in the office as he is quite handy with the tools. Mr Murray also looks after the office fish tank.
Amber Sharp
Amber Sharp has over 20 years’ experience as a workplace relations lawyer. She has particular expertise in discrimination, termination disputes, and bullying claims. Amber is praised by clients for her down to earth, straight talking and solutions-oriented approach. Amber is recognised in Doyles Guide and Best Lawyers as a leading employer representative employment and industrial relations practitioner.
Christopher Sharp
Christopher is Head of Scripted at Screen Australia, where he manages the Feature Film Production Fund, Feature Film Enhancement Fund, General Drama (TV) Fund, and Children’s Program Production Fund. Christopher has previously worked in senior development roles for production companies in Australia and the UK, and within government funding bodies, including as Director of Development for Screen QLD. He has also worked for the New York based film sales company FilmNation, and began his career as a talent agent.
Venue
Cliftons - Spring Street
Level 3, 10 Spring Street
Sydney 2000
NSW
Australia
Parking Information
Parking not included in you registration. Here are some options below.
Secure Park 20 Bond Street - click here for rates
Wilson Park 1 O'Connell Street - click here for rates
Wilson Park 31 Bond Street - click here for rates
Directions
Nearby Public Transport:
Train Stations - Wynyard 400m OR Martin Place 500m
Bus Interchange - Clarence Street 450m
Ferry - Circular Quay 1.2km