Situated in the scenic southeast corner of Queensland lies a vibrant cinematic playground boasting state-of-the-art facilities for film and television production. Its diverse landscape, adorned with pristine beaches, lush national parks and subtropical rainforests, serves as a global destination of choice for both local and international producers.

Beyond its picturesque setting, the Gold Coast is home to the state’s ever-growing network of premier studios, including Village Roadshow Studios, Pinnacle Films Studios and other flexible spaces, and has built a reputation for having some of the best crews in the world.

With 10 million visitors annually, the city features an international and domestic airport, Queensland’s largest shopping precinct, and an endless variety of restaurants serving multicultural cuisines. Accommodation options are equally impressive, catering to a wide range of preferences and budgets.

Famed for its sunny and subtropical climate, the Gold Coast lives up to its reputation of being ‘beautiful one day, perfect the next’, making it an ideal filming location year-round.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

The highly anticipated new entry in the blockbuster franchise, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire stormed into cinemas with a huge box office take. Filmed at Village Roadshow Studios and on location, this epic instalment has not only thrilled audiences worldwide but marked the third Legendary Pictures feature to be proudly made in Queensland. The hinterland rainforest is transformed into Hollow Earth, the Gold Coast becomes a sandy beach in Rio and Brisbane home to the Monarch base. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is proudly supported by Screen Queensland through the Production Attraction Strategy.  

“The reason we decided on the Gold Coast specifically for this film is the same as the other two films – diversity of locations and a solid crew base. Also, the studios are world-class, and they give us the size and scope of stage space and working environment to achieve what we’re looking for.”

Eric McLeod, Producer – Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

Apples Never Fall

Streaming now on Peacock (US) and Binge (Aus), Apples Never Fall is another testament to the Gold Coast’s flexibility to double for other destinations. Based on the best-selling novel by Australian author Liane Moriarty, the series stars four-time Academy Award-nominated actress Annette Bening in the role of Joy Delaney and Sam Neill as her husband Stan Delaney. 

Supported by Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy and filmed at Village Roadshow Studios and other locations around the Gold Coast, Apples Never Fall seamlessly whisks viewers to Miami, Florida. The Gold Coast’s sun-kissed beaches and bustling streets perfectly capture the essence of these vibrant areas.

It’s the fourth NBC Universal/Matchbox Pictures production to be made in Queensland, further solidifying the region’s reputation as a premier filmmaking destination.

Good Cop/Bad Cop

Currently in production at Village Roadshow Studios, Good Cop/Bad Cop is making good use of locations across the state’s stunning south-east Scenic Rim, as well as the nearby Gold Coast, to double for the US state of Washington.

The eight-part procedural comedy series stars Leighton Meester, Luke Cook and Clancy Brown, and follows a sister and brother detective team in a small Pacific Northwest police force who must contend with colourful residents, a serious lack of resources, and their police chief—who happens to be their father.

The series was secured through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy and will stream on Stan in Australia and The CW Network and Roku in the US, in association with and distributed by ITV Studios. Post-production services will also be provided by Brisbane’s Cutting Edge, supported by the agency’s Post, Digital and Visual Effects Incentive.

“I chose to shoot in Queensland because I saw firsthand what I’d already heard from friends who had based productions there—the facilities are first class, the talent pool in front of and behind the camera is deep, and everyone I met was welcoming and excited to help us make our show.”

John Quaintance, Showrunner and Executive Producer – Good Cop/Bad Cop

To keep pace with increasing production demand, Screen Queensland has expanded its studio network with the newly-opened Screen Queensland Studios, Cairns. Nestled in tropical Far North Queensland, this state-of-the-art facility boasts an impressive 11,517 sq ft (1,070 sq metre) sound stage, production offices, editing suites, sound recording studio and more.

With its proximity to Cairns International Airport and the breathtaking natural beauty of the region, Screen Queensland Studios, Cairns, offers filmmakers an unparalleled setting to bring their visions to life. Productions that have filmed in North and Far North Queensland include Wizards! starring Orlando Bloom and Pete Davidson, Ticket to Paradise starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney and Irreverent from NBCUniversal and Matchbox Productions. The Queensland Government through Screen Queensland provides the local Production Attraction Strategy, which offers incentives for productions spending a minimum of AU$3.5 million in the state. The productions can access a further incentive through the City of Gold Coast’s Screen Attraction Program. The 15% Post, Digital, Visual Effects (PDV) Incentive is available to projects spending a minimum AU$250,000 on qualifying PDV. Screen Queensland also offers location and scouting assistance.