Victoria has released its first screen strategy in more than a decade to supercharge film, television, and digital games projects across the State.
VICSCREEN invests 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 strategy is set to support more than 40,000 project jobs and inject more than $1.2 billion 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.
It 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 the screen museum at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI).
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.
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.
The strategy aims to attract more international screen businesses like animation house Princess Bento Studio and games studio Sledgehammer Games 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.
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.
Read the full strategy here
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