- The Miles Government investment of $5 million is supporting 12 Gold Coast small to medium screen businesses expand to meet demand for screen production services in the region.
- The Capital Grants Program, delivered by Screen Queensland, supports Gold Coast businesses with matched funding of between $250,000 to $750,000 to grow their operations and service local, interstate and international films and series.
- Queensland's screen production sector has thrived with State Government support, with more than $1.68 billion injected into the Gold Coast economy and more than 17,000 local employment opportunities created since the Production Attraction Strategy was introduced in 2015.
The Miles Government has announced 12 Gold Coast screen businesses will share in $5 million in screen production boosting capital grants to meet growing demand for services in the region and recognising the state's global reputation for screen production.
The Capital Grants Program, delivered by Screen Queensland, is providing matched funding of up to $750,000 to these small-to-medium businesses, bolstering capacity on the Gold Coast to meet growing demand for local screen production services.
The recipients include Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, who will establish new headquarters for their celebrated production company Bazmark and Queensland-born businesses Cutting Edge and Myriad Studios will be supported to expand their Gold Coast bases.
While The Post Lounge will expand to establish a new facility on the Gold Coast, Pinnacle Films Studios will upgrade its sound stages, and newly established operations including Elysium Studios will create new jobs on the Gold Coast.
The capital grants will support a range of business-boosting investments including fitting out state-of-the-art post-production facilities, acquiring premium equipment for visual effects, editing and underwater filming, and partnering with industry to provide opportunities for emerging screen practitioners.
As stated by the Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch:
"The Miles Government is committed to supporting local screen industry development, underpinned by sustainable screen businesses that drive creative employment.
"Delivering on an election commitment, the $5 million Capital Grants Program further backs the state's screen industry and works to underpin the growth of screen production services on the Gold Coast to future proof the industry and remain globally competitive," Minister Enoch said.
"This vital funding is enabling industry-leaders like Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin to establish a long-term home for their award-winning production company Bazmark on the Gold Coast.
"It also ensures other critical small-to-medium screen businesses can expand their offerings and provide first-rate support to local and international films and series, creating more jobs and forging new opportunities for the region's creative community."
As stated by Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney:
"The screen sector is a rich ecosystem which includes many small-to-medium businesses working across production and post-production. The $5 million Capital Grants Program is providing a significant funding boost into the local industry to ensure the Gold Coast continues to lead as a screen production paradise in a highly competitive international market," Ms Feeney said.
"Screen Queensland recognises that our state's pipeline of attracted productions, as well as homegrown films and series, require access to the best local services and that these businesses can offer enduring career paths for Queenslanders keen to work in this exciting industry."
As stated by Bazmark's Baz Luhrmann:
"Since the earliest days on Elvis, Screen Queensland and the Queensland Government have been true partners to Bazmark. Together, we proved that one cannot just film, but also realise all the pre- and post-production of a major motion picture right here.
"It has become absolutely clear to me and all of our team that the Gold Coast is one of the most dynamic and vital filmmaking hubs worldwide. Now, with the support of the Capital Grants Program, we are excited to build a long-term base and facilities here that can be used by Bazmark and others into the future."
As stated by The Post Lounge Managing Director, Kurt Royan:
"Having started in Queensland over 45 years ago, The Post Lounge is thrilled to receive this grant, which will significantly enhance our capabilities and enable us to continue delivering world-class post-production services.
"While sunlight has always been considered the antithesis of post-production, the Gold Coast is the perfect location for our new facility, with its growing reputation as a creative hub, access to the latest infrastructure, and proximity to both local and international production talent. This investment will allow us to expand our offerings and further support the region's thriving film and television industry."
