L-R: VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher, Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson, Wētā FX Melbourne Hub Studio Manager & VFX Producer Sharna Hackett and Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks. Photo by Daniel Mahon.
Oscar-winning visual effects company Wētā FX is growing its Australian headquarters in Melbourne, creating up to 80 jobs and cementing Victoria's reputation as a global screen powerhouse.
Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson and Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks today announced Wētā FX will expand operations and jobs at their Abbotsford facility, with support from the Victorian Government.
Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson said, "We're investing in Wētā FX because we see the direct benefits for the state in bolstering our growing screen industry, creating high-value jobs and boosting economic growth."
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks said, "Wētā FX is one of the world's most acclaimed visual effects companies, and their decision to expand in Melbourne is a massive endorsement of Victoria's creative talent and industry capability."
"One of the many amazing outcomes of Better Man is that Wētā FX set up a visual effects facility in Melbourne for the film—and now, they're here to stay – creating jobs, attracting global productions, and reinforcing Victoria as a destination for world-class visual effects."
L-R: Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks,Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson, VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher and Wētā FX Animator Stephanie Lam. Photo by Daniel Mahon.
Wētā FX is an Academy Award-winning visual effects (VFX) company that has worked on blockbuster films including The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Avatar: The Way of Water and most recently Better Man – the largest movie ever to be filmed in Victoria, which created almost 3,000 jobs and injected $142 million into the Victorian economy.
Wētā FX Melbourne Hub Manager Sharna Hackett said, "The Victorian Government's recognition of the economic and cultural benefits of a strong screen industry, and their commitment to supporting its growth and innovation, was critical to our decision to invest further in Victoria."
Having initially set up a temporary facility in Melbourne whilst creating the visual effects for Better Man, Wētā FX was inspired to establish a permanent Australian base in Melbourne. With their work recognised in Hollywood, including Oscar nominations for Best Visual Effects for Better Man and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, which were both worked on in Melbourne.
VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher said, "Wētā FX choosing Melbourne as the location for its Australian hub is proof that Victoria has the outstanding tech and creative talent world-class companies are looking for."
VicScreen, through additional funding for the Victorian Screen Rebate, is expected to deliver an estimated $89m in economic expenditure from post, digital and VFX projects in 2024/25.
Wētā FX will continue to be an important contributor to Victoria's screen industry and increase local jobs in production and animation, highlighting Victoria as a destination for world-class post-production and VFX.
Learn more about the Victorian Screen Rebate
Learn more about Victoria's visual effects and post-production studios
