Participants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with Australian copyright law, beginning with the attached document, ‘An Introduction to Copyright in Australia’.
Films created by participants during the My Life project will automatically be protected by copyright, with ownership controlled by the creator of the film under the Copyright Act 1968.
Participants will need to sign a licensing agreement authorising Southland Creative Inc non-exclusive broadcast rights to their finished film for 20 months after the completion of the project (ie, January 2025).
This license will be used to screen a selection of short films at a public screening event in late 2023 or early 2024, but may also include reproduction in marketing material for Southland Creative, and online to fulfil our funding obligations to the NSW Government.
It is also important that participants understand the need to strictly observe copyright law in the use of third-party music and/or sound in their short film. If working with people or cast in your film, you need to ensure you have their consent, this is usually done by asking them to sign a casting “Talent Release” which we have provided in the course materials.
This will be discussed further in the post-production phases of the mentorship, but participants should also familiarise themselves with copyright legislation at www.copyright.org.au.