MERCURY CX PITCHING HARD FOR DOLLARS, INDUSTRY SUPPORT AS CLOSURE BECKONS

An 11th hour effort to raise crucial funding dollars for Adelaide’s Mercury CX will be the key agenda item at what has been dubbed the Extraordinary General Meeting. In what amounts to an industry-wide cry for help from the current board members, the gathering will be held on November 24.

Established in 1974 as the Media Resource Centre, the not-for-profit organisation operates the 186-seat Mercury Cinema and 36-seat Iris Cinema on Morphett Street, adjacent to the Lion Arts Factory in Adelaide’s West End, as well as overseeing the national Screen Makers Conference, the South Australian Screen Awards and several development programs for emerging talent. Operations may cease in a matter of weeks unless it secures $700,000 worth of funding via government or philanthropic means.

Speaking to Inside Film in September, Mercury CX CEO Karena Slaninka (pictured, right) said, “This is a pivotal moment in time.”

Board members and prominent identities in the South Australian sector have issued the following statement, encouraging members and supporters to attend in person or via remote access to help fight for the organisation’s survival. 

Please RSVP here to register your attendance at the EGM.
 

“We’re writing to you as a group of MCX members and industry representatives with a strong interest in ensuring the continuation of MCX as a valuable member-led screen development agency in South Australia.

We have been meeting with CEO Karena Slaninka and Board Chair Gena Ashwell to share in their concerns about the organisation's potential closure and offer our assistance in exploring all options as to how the MCX can potentially be managed within their existing budget to avoid the worst-case scenario of the organisation closing its doors. 

We all feel strongly that the MCX's doors should not close until the membership and industry is convinced that this is absolutely the last resort, and that it is vital that members and supporters are aware of all potential options for the future of the organisation, including a scenario in which the MCX is able to operate within expected 2023 income figures. 

Our primary goal remains to ensure the MCX continues to operate – even if this means it must do so at a reduced capacity for a period of time. From what we currently understand, we are optimistic that with further membership activation and strengthened industry / philanthropic / government partnerships, a brighter financial future for the organisation is possible.

We are writing to request your attendance at the upcoming Extraordinary General Meeting on the 24th of November, to be a part of deciding the future of this well loved and important organisation which has been a pillar of the South Australian screen industry for nearly 50 years.

This is the key way you can show your support for keeping the MCX open, and those of you who have been a financial member for 28 days prior to the EGM will have an opportunity to vote in any motions put forward.

It would also be great if you can help in spreading the word to other members of the film community with an interest in supporting the organisation.

We look forward to speaking with you more and seeing you at the EGM.

Yours sincerely,

Kirsty Stark (Producer, Epic Films), Madeleine Parry (Director), Lisa Scott (Producer, Highview Productions), Kath Dooley (Associate Professor, Screen Production - University of South Australia), Peter Hanlon (Producer, Mess Productions), Kristian Moliere (Producer, Triptych Pictures), Rebecca Summerton (Producer, Closer Productions)”