Australian (Inter)national Cinema: The Royal Commission on the Moving Picture Industry in Australia, 1926–1928., Australasian Films Ltd. and the American monopoly

ABSTRACT

Despite Australia being one of the most robust and progressive film industries during the early years of moving pictures, it experienced a significant decline in film production from 1915. Whether this decline was a direct result of poor government policy is something that the Royal Commission on the motion picture industry in Australia 1926–1928. investigated. Marking a significant, yet terribly neglected moment of Australian film history, the Commission surveyed a variety of issues which had stunted the development of the national Australian cinema. By surveying the early period of the Australian cinema, in this article I will discuss how the Royal Commission's recommendations pushed for the national industry to become more active within the Hollywood world cinema model.

KEYWORDS:

• Royal Commission on the Moving Picture Industry in Australia
• Australasian Films Ltd
• Australian international films
• Australian film censorship
• educational films
• Hollywood monopoly