Wild about filming in Queensland paradise

Published Sunday, 11 April, 2021 at 09:00 AM

Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Queensland’s screen industry is revelling in a long pipeline of film and television productions with the US hit show The Wilds Season 2 starting filming on the Gold Coast this week.

Cast and crew will utilise the Village Roadshow Studios, with location filming in Gold Coast Hinterland locations and beaches.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the hit Amazon Original/ABC Signature series starring Rachel Griffiths, was just one of many high-profile projects that will be in production over the coming months.

“This is boom time for Queensland’s screen industry and it means jobs for Queenslanders, and millions of dollars for our economy,” the Premier said.

“The amazing response of Queenslanders to the global pandemic ensures our State is safe, open for business and good to go, and the international and local screen production industry recognises this.

“Since the start of 2020, we have secured 39 productions for the sunshine State, including local Queensland-made and international productions attracted here through the Production Attraction Strategy.

“These productions have injected an estimated $437 million into the local economy and created approximately 5,500 jobs for Queenslanders."

The Premier said Escape from Spiderhead – a Netflix Original film starring Chris Hemsworth and Miles Teller - recently wrapped on the Gold Coast, as did the Baz Lurhmann Elvis biopic.

Movie buffs are able to enjoy Godzilla vs. Kong, filmed in Queensland by Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. after its global cinema release on 25 March.

Queensland is currently hosting production of the Ron Howard-directed film Thirteen Lives about the Thai caves rescue.

Filming of All My Friends are Racist, an ABC comedy series with Queensland Executive Producers Hoodlum Entertainment in partnership with Oombarra Productions, is underway in Brisbane.

From 14 April, Netflix viewers can enjoy the Paramount Pictures feature film Love and Monsters, filmed at Screen Queensland Studios. And importantly it is nominated for an Academy Award for Visual Effects, with Queenslanders among the nominees.

In July, Fremantle Media’s new teen series Taylor’s Island will be filmed on the Gold Coast. Joe Exotic, a series by Universal Studio Group, will have cameras rolling at Screen Queensland Studios mid-year.

The Premier said Queensland will also host Julia Roberts and George Clooney in the Universal Pictures movie Ticket to Paradise, to be filmed at the Whitsundays, Gold Coast and Brisbane later this year.

“Another major international star – the much-loved animated dog Bluey – will be coming back for a third series, being created now at Ludo Studio in Brisbane," the Premier said.

“Clearly, for movie and tv makers Clearly, Queensland is the place to be."

Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich said these Queensland-based productions are creating job opportunities for local creatives and crew, and having a big economic impact.

“Queensland’s talented and experienced producers and writers are creating original, compelling content for Australian and international audiences,” Ms Munnich said.

“Supporting script development and local production through Screen Queensland’s Ideas and Finance Investment programs enables homegrown creatives to deliver productions with entertainment and cultural value, and real economic benefits for the State.”

According to a recent Ausfilm report, since July 2020 there have been 12 international productions attracted to Australia through the Australian Government’s Location Incentive program and eight will film in Queensland.

“My Government’s top priority remains the health of Queenslanders, and this has helped drive our strong economic recovery across all Queensland industries, with the screen industry among the most successful,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Queensland is open and ready to do business with more of the global film and television production industry.”

ENDS

Media contact: 

Liana Cantarutti (Screen Queensland) - 0433 643 805