The Gold Coast is off to a flying start this financial year with six major productions – Monarch: Legacy of Monsters S2, The Bluff, Balls Up, Dangerous Animals, Good Cop Bad Cop, and Rock Island Mysteries S3 – already filmed or underway in the city and a new international studio proposed for development.

Fittingly, it was celebrations all round for the local screen industry last month when the Gold Coast Film Commission joined with Ausfilm, Screen Queensland and Village Roadshow Studios to host local producers, cast and crews at the Mayor’s Sunset Networking Event.

Announced at the event, QUT’s latest report found the Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most sought-after hubs for local and international film and TV productions.

In the financial year to June 2024, the City of Gold Coast supported a total of 11 major national and international productions through its Screen Attraction Program and with its Gold Coast Film Commission team, creating hundreds of jobs for the local industry. 

And there’s more to come. 

City-owned land in the northern Gold Coast suburb of Yatala has been earmarked for development into a new studio complex, with the proposal featuring up to 10 sound stages, workshops, office spaces, a backlot, and training facilities. These studios will complement the region’s existing studios – including Village Roadshow Studios – and will bolster the Gold Coast’s broader screen production offering.

With lease negotiations on the use of the land now underway with preferred proponent Shadowbox Studios, it is expected the new film studio could contribute approximately $195 million towards the economy each year and generate more than 1000 jobs during construction and 3400 direct and indirect jobs once both phases are operational.

“This is such an exciting opportunity for the Gold Coast and will cement our position as one of the most sought-after filming destinations in Australia,” Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said.

“Here on the Gold Coast we have put in the hard yards to make our city a place film makers want to come to while also supporting and growing local skills. This is the game-changer we needed.”

The first of its kind in Australia, the City of Gold Coast’s Screen Attraction Program has supported more than 60 productions in the past 9 years.

The Gold Coast Film Commission is a ‘one-stop-shop’ for screen production on the Gold Coast providing expert industry advice on financial incentives, introductions to internationally recognised crew and a pathway to essential government agencies.