Animation: A World History

7

Oceania

Australia

While the animation ‘industry’ in the strict sense of the word remained small and home-oriented,¹ Down Under bloomed at international festivals, where many independents made a name for themselves and their country.

Australia is almost as large as the United States but is inhabited by little more than 23 million people. For a film producer (live-action and animation alike), it was a reservoir of talented filmmakers but not a profitable market. Too few people, too few theatres. The film industry relied on financial support from the federal government in the form of three organizations. The Australian Film Commission primarily dealt with the funding of short films; the Film Finance Corporation basically funded features; and Film ...