One of Western Australia's most spectacular natural wonders, Ningaloo Reef, will be the subject of a major three-part documentary series thanks to a $1.4 million investment from the McGowan Labor Government.
The series will be written by another WA icon, author Tim Winton, and centre on the reef's fascinating and unique wildlife, set in the region's 600-plus caves.
The funding from the Western Australian Screen Fund (WASF) will enable the making of the TV special by Fremantle-based production company Artemis Media to celebrate the Gascoyne's pristine natural environment.
The WASF supports film production in WA's regions, boosting local economies and communities and encouraging positive tourism outcomes, with films reaching national and often international audiences.
Adaptations of two of Tim Winton's novels, Dirt Music and Breath, were previously filmed in the Kimberley and the Great Southern respectively with funding support from the State Government.
Ningaloo with Tim Winton will premiere in Australia on ABC in 2023.
The $16 million WASF is funded by the State Government and managed by Screenwest.
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
"WA has some of the most stunning locations for film shoots in the world, and the Western Australian Screen Fund has been doing a fantastic job of establishing our State's status as a major draw for screen production.
"Ningaloo with Tim Winton is a perfect match of stunning WA environment and an iconic WA author - this high calibre documentary series will no doubt become a legacy project for WA and Australia as a nation.
"Ningaloo with Tim Winton will also bring significant spend to the Gascoyne, and the local economic benefits are set to be significant to the region.
"The productions supported by the Western Australian Screen Fund have made a tangible contribution to local economies in regional towns, creating regional jobs across WA."
