As the production of film and television increasingly becomes a global business, there is a growing network of interconnections between the Australian production community and 'foreign' production entities. In recent years the role of foreign production in Australia has been controversial and surrounded by conflicting claims and arguments. The advent of large studios designed to cater for big-budget overseas productions has heightened debate on the impact of such productions. Those in favour of increasing levels of foreign production point to the economic benefits for the nation as a whole and the employment opportunities arising in production and associated roles. Detractors fear that overseas production could eventually dominate the local industry to the extent that Australia becomes an adjunct to the mainstream US industry, and local creative talent wanes. The AFC is continually examining developments in foreign investment and production.