NSW government unveils $380m arts package, includes hunt for second Sydney film studio
Sydney could soon get its second film studio as part of a multi-million dollar funding package to support the industry.
The New South Wales government has announced it will allocate $380 million in the upcoming budget on June 24 for both the film and digital games sectors, alongside new legislation — coming into effect next month — to help strengthen these industries.
This investment will include $100 million dedicated to support the search for a new film studio in Sydney, which will go towards selecting a location site, as well as partnering with both industry stakeholders and the private sector.
Currently, the only film studio in the state is at Moore Park and is operated by Disney Studios Australia.
Mad Max Furiosa, The Fall Guy, and I Know What You Did Last Summer are among some of the films shot at the Disney Studios.
Minister for the Arts John Graham said the state's screen sector "continues to wow the world" with storytelling, and the funding will grow the industry.
"The major film studio in Sydney is the Disney Studios at Moore Park, and it's often full. There is big demand."
When asked at a press conference on Sunday about a proposal for the second studio to be located at Oran Park in Sydney's south-west, he said it was one of a number of suggested locations.
According to Screen Australia figures, feature film production spending in NSW accounted for 21 per cent of the country's total figure during the 2024 financial year.
Government-backed initiatives to support the screen industry, including the Post, Digital and Visual Effects and Digital Games Rebate programs, are also part of the budget announcement.
Mr Graham said this investment was part of a comprehensive approach by the government to make NSW an attractive location for screen production, including "cutting red tape", including tripling the time to film on private land without a development application, as well as working with local councils to establish them as filming hotspots.
"We want Australia to be an attractive place to have these films made. It creates a lot of employment, but it also creates Australian stories as we build a long-term screen industry in NSW."
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the industry brings $1.2 billion into the economy and employs more than 13,500 people.
"By supporting the sector, we are acting to attract investment, stimulate job creation and boost economic growth," Mr Mookhey.
The announcement has been welcomed by industry professionals, including actor, producer Claudia Karvan, who called it "great news".
She said these steps are going to make NSW "a lot more film-friendly",
Co-founder of digital production company Animal Logic Zareh Nalbandian, added: "This backing from the government — from the treasurer, from the minister, from the premier — really gives certainty to our industry," he said.
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