Screen Queensland is increasing production investment and grant ceilings as part of a package of revised funding structures, programs and incentives.
Due to take effect from July 1, the changes are aimed at boosting production in Queensland and simplifying and streamlining processes for the State’s screen industry.
"‘Screen Queensland has engaged extensively with local industry and key stakeholders throughout the last 12 months to work on improving the service, infrastructure and financial incentives offered by our screen agency," said CEO Tracey Vieira.
"'We identified changes that needed to be made to support increased levels of screen content production and to ensure we are a competitive and first choice State for screen production.
"As a result we have made revisions to our funding frameworks including an increase to our Production Investment ceiling from $650,000 to $750,000 with a $100,000 top-up grant for eligible long-form and large scale productions, taking the total SQ funding to $850,000 for these projects.
"We have also raised the Production Grant ceiling from $50,000 to $100,000 for all projects where the production budget is up to $1 million and raising the grant ceiling to $200 000 on a discretionary basis for projects supported through Production Funding where the budget is above $1 million.”
The agency’s Post, Digital and Visual Effects Attraction Grant attracted its first US production, The Age of Adaline, starring Blake Lively, Michiel Huisman and Harrison Ford, which carried out VFX with Cutting Edge in Brisbane.
"We believe we are one of the most competitive and capable markets in the world stemming from our unique combination of highly skilled and experienced people, stunning locations, competitive incentives and funding programs and world-class facilities including the Village Roadshow Studios," said Vieira.
"The screen industry has changed significantly in recent years with audiences engaging with online viewing. Currently 50% of Australian internet users watch movies and television online. For content creators, this means they can find audiences for their content online in addition to the traditional distribution platforms – it’s another avenue to reach them.”
Its development and production team recently completed a State-wide roadshow to talk with local industry about the changes to funding frameworks, particularly core funding programs for development, production and marketing.
Jo Dillon, SQ head of development and production, said, "Essentially the changes we are making to our development and production programs are ensuring we have a relevant and flexible set of core funding programs that are screen agnostic and a fit with the screen industry both of today and tomorrow.
"We want to support storytellers to tell strong stories, and to do all we can to help them make their way to the screen, whatever their distribution method."
Currently shooting are a third series of Jonathan M Shiff Productions' Mako: Island of Secrets, which will create up to 400 jobs; Matchbox Pictures' The Family Law, a six-part comedy for SBS; and series two of Playmaker Media’s ABC political thriller, The Code.
For further information about Screen Queensland’s funding programs and other incentives, visit www.screenqueensland.com.au