The Andrews Labor Government has unveiled Victoria’s first screen strategy in more than a decade, to supercharge film, television, and digital games projects and create more jobs for Victorians. Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson launched VICSCREEN, investing a record $120.7 million as part of a $191.5 million four-year strategy to put Victoria at the forefront of the global screen entertainment boom.
“The reputation of our screen industry is world-class and through VICSCREEN we will grow jobs, foster local talent and put Victorian projects on the map.” Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson commented “Films like The Dry, filmed in Victoria’s Wimmera region, show us how powerful local story-telling can be. This strategy will give even more Victorian stories a chance to shine. We have an enormous pool of talent here in Victoria and this strategy will build on our strengths and position the industry for growth for decades to come.”
The Minister explained that strategy is set to support more than 40,000 jobs and inject more than $1.2 billion back into the Victorian economy. As well as growing screen jobs, it will strengthen screen businesses, foster homegrown talent, and bring more local content to screens worldwide. The Minister added that the stratergy will build on the recent success of local productions such as The Dry, the $46 million expansion at Docklands Studios Melbourne with a sixth sound stage and the $40 million transformation of our screen museum at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI).Minister Pearson said that with a focus on supporting diversity and inclusion on screen and behind the scenes, VICSCREEN actions include the new Victorian Production Fund that will boost the production of Victorian-led film, television, online and digital games content and a new creators lab, with the first set of projects focused on premium drama. As our screen workforce grows, we’re also making sure we have the right skills to keep our state ahead of the curve. Victoria’s screen workers – including creatives and crew – will be supported with career and development programs, focusing on training in innovative digital sectors such as visual effects, games and animation.
Minister Pearson explained that more international screen businesses like animation house Princess Bento Studio and games studio Sledgehammer Games will be attracted to set up in Victoria, while also supporting local businesses to develop their commercial capabilities and global connections. Blockbuster productions remain a focus through the expansion of the Victorian Screen Incentive, which seeks to attract international and interstate film, television, and games projects to the state, creating a pipeline of secure work for local screen workers and specialist businesses.
Minister Pearson said that opening up our industry to secure Victorian jobs relies on international cast and crew having certainty that they can travel to Victoria – that’s one of the reasons we’ve requested approval from the Commonwealth to accept small numbers of key economic cohorts into our state. Cinema lovers will also get a look in with continued support for screen events and festivals – including revitalising Melbourne International Film Festival to propel it into a new era, with a stronger international profile. ACMI will build on its success with Story of the Moving Image and continue its work developing new drawcard exhibitions and activities for audiences of all ages.
In line with the ambition of the strategy, the Government’s screen agency Film Victoria will be revitalised and expanded to lead the implementation of VICSCREEN in collaboration with Docklands Studios Melbourne, ACMI, Creative Victoria and industry stakeholders.
