MEDIA RELEASE

MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY BENEVOLENT SOCIETY TURNS 90

Since its inception in November 1931, the Motion Picture Industry Benevolent Society (MPIBS) has continuously provided financial and emotional support to film industry colleagues in need.

The brainchild of a group of film industry distributors and publicists who formed The 47 Club in the late 1920s, the MPIBS was created to assist industry practitioners, past or present, from Cinema Exhibition or Film Distribution in New South Wales, who were experiencing hardship.  

In 2003, that remit was expanded to include colleagues from Film Production and Post-Production, based anywhere in Australia. The MPIBS is the only film industry organisation that provides help to workers from the production and post-production sectors.

MPIBS financial assistance is provided according to individual needs and may include regular monthly assistance; quarterly gas, electricity, and phone subsidies; contributions to special hospital treatments; private health fund payments; pharmaceutical expenses; emergency computer upgrades; urgent house and car repairs; Cabcharge vouchers; Vital Call accounts and, in some cases, funeral expenses.

In 2020 and 2021, the Society assisted several practitioners who suffered serious trauma and financial stress caused by the NSW bushfires and COVID-19.

The MPIBS is totally dependent on donations from industry individuals and companies. The main fundraiser is the Chairman’s Annual Appeal, which launches in June. Donations of $2 or more are fully tax deductible.

MPIBS Chairman Murray Forrest says fundraising during the past year has been particularly challenging, exacerbated by COVID-19, which has hugely impacted the cinema industry.

“Our 2021 appeal is currently well short of our target. To help the MPIBS continue to provide support to our colleagues in need of a helping hand, we’re hoping for a spike in donations ahead of the end of the financial year, but we will happily accept any generosity at any time”, Forrest said.

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Media Enquiries: Di Campisi – di@dicampisipublicity.com or +61 425 269 129

About the Motion Picture Industry Benevolent Society (MPIBS)

Created in November 1931 by a group of film industry distributors and publicists (The 47 Club,  formed in the late 1920s), the MPIBS has been continuously providing financial and emotional support for 90 years to film industry colleagues experiencing hardship. Originally designed to assist film industry practitioners from Cinema Exhibition and Film Distribution in NSW, since 2003 the MPIBS remit has included those in need from Film Production and Post-Production, based anywhere in Australia. Supported by a roster of prominent patrons, the MPIBS Governing Council consists of eight men and six women from across all sectors of the film industry. The 47 Club no longer exists but its legacy lives on in the MPIBS, now a Registered Charity under Section 16 of the Charitable Fundraising Act of 1991.

How to apply for assistance

Current or retired film industry practitioners experiencing hardship or genuine need can apply to the MPIBS for financial assistance by contacting the Chairman of Investigation and Relief, Tom Jeffrey, on 0404 260 274.  

How to donate

·  Direct Deposit to MPIBS ANZ Bank Account: BSB: 012-010 / Account Number: 8643764.

·  To donate via cheque/money order, please make payable to Motion Picture Industry Benevolent Society (no abbreviations) and send to Ross Barnard, Secretary/Treasurer, MPIBS,
7 Keir Avenue, Hurlstone Park NSW 2193.

·  All donors receive receipts from the MPIBS.

·  All donations over $2 are fully tax deductible.

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