ASDACS AGM 2025 – Chair Report
Dear Members,
As Chair of ASDACS I feel privileged to present this year’s report, just as I acknowledge the pride I feel in having the chance to share in the development and growth of this Society. Change remains a constant in our industry, and as directors we continue to navigate that change with resilience and creativity. ASDACS exists to ensure that amidst these shifts the rights and remuneration of Australian screen directors are protected and upheld.
This year, our focus has remained steadfast - to collect and distribute royalties from international territories that recognise directors as authors of their work. These funds are not a bonus—they are your rights acknowledged. They represent the global recognition of the creative voice of directors and the value of your contribution to screen culture.
ASDACS continues to deliver strong outcomes for our members. Through rigorous governance and ethical practice, we have maintained the integrity of our operations and strengthened relationships with our international counterparts. Our Board and Executive Director Deb Jackson have worked tirelessly to ensure that ASDACS remains a stable and trusted collecting society, aligned with global standards and committed to transparency.
While challenges persist we have met them with determination and rigour. My sincerest thanks especially to Pat Fiske and Kevin Lucas as we tirelessly interrogated recent sub-committee undertakings with a level of care and commitment that was above re-reproach.
Deb has been an exceptional ED and our ‘report card’ is testament to that, with an increase in Collections, reduction in the administration fee and distributions assured and on time. Through our Cultural Fund, the ADG received one hundred thousand dollars and The Motion Picture benevolent Society received Seven thousand dollars in support.
I extend my sincere thanks to our hard working staff and to you, the members for your trust and support. I can now only wish that ASDACS will continue to uphold the principles that have guided us since our inception: fairness, integrity and respect for the creative voice of directors and that the ‘architects’ of the change that is at hand reflect rigorously on their next steps and decision-making processes with due regard to those who’ve ‘walked this walk before’.
THANK YOU - it’s been an honour.
Di Drew
Chair of ASDACS
ASDACS AGM 3 December 2025
ASDACS – Key Highlights
Financials (1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025)
Total collections for the year: $2.1M
Distributions to members during the year: $1.4M.
14% increase in overall collections.
Reduction in admin fee from 17% to 16%.
Cultural and Charitable purposes fund
$100k: ADG (Including the ADG Awards).
$7k: Motion Picture Benevolent Society.
$85k: New cultural funds transferred.
Development / Trust Fund
$83k: Database development, IT upgrades & Copyright advocacy.
$12k: Distributed to members (closed funds).
Membership
Membership increase: 7% (Total: 1668).
Membership copyright assignment: 72% (Total: 1192) Members signed.
Global Collections and Collecting Society Partnerships
CISAC Worldwide collections report (2025 Data): audio-visual collection +5.3%.
New collecting society partners signed: MRIGHTS (Italy) & EASA (Egypt).
Other activities:
Representation @ international meetings including the CISAC General Assembly CISAC CTDLV Technical Meeting, CISAC DVLRG Governance Committee, CISAC Asia Pacific Meetings.
Increased marketing & communications including IF AD, website upgrade & social media refresh, promo reel & survey to members.
Increased educational outreach via members webinars with Artslaw, Copyright Council, AWGACS, Screenrights & ADG Business of Directing session.
ACCC re-authorisation approved for +10yrs.