Australia welcomes its fifth international production since the announcement of the Australian Government’s AU$140 million Location Incentive introduced last May.

Minister for Communications & the Arts, Senator the Hon. Mitch Fifield announced today an untitled Marvel feature will film in New South Wales. Fox Studios Australia will host the Marvel Studios’ film at its Sydney complex from the middle of this year. The Hon. Mitch Fifield, said: “We are very excited to have Marvel return to Australia following the incredible success of Thor: Ragnarok. Securing this latest production will bring over $150 million of new international investment, create 4,700 new Australian jobs and use the services of around 1,200 local businesses.”

Australian screen businesses have proven in the past that they are more than capable of meeting the needs of such a large scale production. Ausfilm members Animal Logic, Luma, Method Studios, Rising Sun Pictures, Show Group, Cutting Edge, Fin, Village Roadshow Studios, Technicolor, XM2 Aerial and Fox Lighting have all previously provided their services for Marvel projects.

Debra Richards, CEO of Ausfilm, Australia’s industry association for screen businesses, said “This is an incredible win for Australia’s screen industry and the businesses that benefit from international productions. We are very appreciative of the long-term partnerships Australia’s industry has nurtured with U.S. studios and content distributors. With today’s announcement, it really demonstrates the trust these U.S. companies have when working with Australia’s crews, cast, technicians, studios and facilities, especially on movies of this size.”

Richards concludes saying “there will be thousands of crew, cast, technicians and businesses employed across Australia this year. In addition to Marvel Studios locating their next film to Fox Studios Australia in NSW, we also have Queensland and Victoria busy with major international productions: Legendary Entertainment’s Godzilla vs Kong Village recently wrapped at Roadshow Studios with Disney ABC International’s television series Reef Break in mid-production at the Gold Coast complex. Screen Queensland’s Brisbane studios are hosting Paramount Pictures’ Monster Problems, and Sony Pictures Television is filming Preacher season 4, at Docklands Studios Melbourne.” 

“Ausfilm applauds the Australian Government and state governments for their ongoing support in helping us to attract international production to Australia. Without the Australian Government’s Location Incentive we just wouldn’t see the increase in footloose productions locating here, like we have in the last year. Productions of this size bring enormous benefit, not only through utilising Australian goods and services and driving tourism visitation through filming of our unique locations but for the domestic film and television industry as well through investment into Australia’s screen production facilities and services and increased opportunities for skills and training.”

BACKGROUND
The Location Incentive is a merit assessed grant, which complements the Australian Government’s current 16.5 per cent Location Offset and effectively provides up to a 30 per cent tax incentive, to attract international production. The Location Incentive will be delivered over four years from 2019 – 20. On behalf of the screen services industry, Ausfilm continues to advocate for a permanent increase of the Location Offset once the Location Incentive is expended.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Rachelle Gibson
Director of Marketing & Industry Partnerships, Ausfilm
T: + 61 2 9383 4124   E: [email protected]