In this episode of We Interrupt This Broadcast, Julie and Kirsty wrap up this month's industry news, from the Future Vision Summit, The Logies and Triple J's Hottest 100 Australian Songs of All Time, through to YouTube's inclusion in the under 16 social media ban, and AI "showrunners."
Plus: all of your August screen industry news headlines from around the country...
00:00 Intro
00:59 Julie’s production & Kirsty’s First Day UK launch
2:01 Future Visions, The Logies & the Hottest 100
8:20 YouTube in the under 16 social media ban
12:10 AI Updates: Productivity Commission, Netflix uses AI to cut costs in post; Amazon invests in Fable
14:48 Industry news round-up: SBS, Netflix gossip & new Screen Australia guidelines
16:48 Short film renaissance & other opportunities
17:41 Vale David Stratton
18:02 What we've been watching
21:15 What’s in production around the country
22:08 Wrap-Up & Acknowledgement of Country
What We've Been Up To
First Day (now on YouTube in the UK): https://www.firstdayseries.com
Future Vision Summit, The Logies and the Hottest 100
The Logies Winners List: https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/08/logie-awards-2025-winners.html
Ruari Elkington's LinkedIn post about a Hottest 100 Australian Films of All Time: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ruarielkingtonallaboutcinema_cinema-love-pride-activity-7355369755404296192-dnXP
Under 16 Social Media Ban
Australia adds YouTube to Kids Social Media Ban: https://www.c21media.net/news/australia-adds-youtube-to-kids-social-media-ban-due-to-predatory-algorithms/
The Atlantic: What Kids Told Us About How to Get Them Off Their Phones: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/08/kids-smartphones-play-freedom/683742/
AI Updates
Productivity Commission Considers a Copyright Exception for AI Companies
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/arts-in-30/productivity-tdm-exception-apra-amcos-aava-natsiaa-rudi-bremer/105588574
Netflix uses AI effects for first time to cut costs: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9vr4rymlw9o
Amazon Invests in Fable
https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/netflix-of-ai-amazon-invests-fable-showrunner-launch-1236471989/
Industry News
James Taylor Departs SBS: https://mumbrella.com.au/sbs-managing-director-james-taylor-steps-down-884978
Kristen Hodges' Summaries of the Screen Australia Guidelines: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/everything-producers-need-know-new-screen-australia-kristen-hodges-vnbsc/
Opportunities
Screen Queensland Short Film Fund: https://screenqueensland.com.au/investment-support/short-film-fund/
Screen NSW Short to Feature Fast Track Initiative: https://www.screen.nsw.gov.au/funding-support/short-to-feature-fast-track-initiative
AACTA Pitch Focus: https://www.aacta.org/aacta-development-initiatives/2025-aacta-pitch-focus/
SPA Ones to Watch: https://www.screenproducers.org.au/events/details/?id=6412031e-a1f9-43f2-9ca1-5639baf0c887
SPA Pitch on Demand: https://www.screenproducers.org.au/events/details/?id=35134e97-9c55-42cc-a217-10a1f224a375
Vale David Stratton
https://if.com.au/vale-david-stratton-beloved-australian-film-critic-and-writer/
What We've Been Watching
MIFF 2025: https://miff.com.au/
Together: https://if.com.au/box-office-together-opens-at-no-6-in-both-australia-and-us/
Ryan Trahan's 50 States in 50 Days: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTYbvU-aSf4
What's in Production
Mosquito Bowl: https://screenqueensland.com.au/sq-news/media-centre/filming-begins-the-mosquito-bowl/
Forever Young: https://if.com.au/josh-mullins-and-ulysses-olivers-forever-young-springs-to-life-in-the-hawkesbury-with-travis-jeffrey-socratis-otto/
Screenworks (become a member to access their production list): https://screenworks.com.au
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple or give us 5 stars on Spotify to help us spread the word.
We Interrupt This Broadcast is hosted by Julie Eckersley and Kirsty Stark.
This episode is proudly brought to you by CrewHQ & Expanding Media.