Latest news with #ScreenQueensland
ABC News
06-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Australian film industry on edge in wake of Trump 100 per cent tariff announcement
The United States' proposed tariff on foreign-produced films would be a "kick in the guts" for efforts to turn the Gold Coast into a world-class movie epicentre. On Tuesday Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the US would introduce a 100 per cent tariff on films "produced in foreign lands". He described incentives offered by countries to attract American film producers as "propaganda" and a "national security threat". Film Producers Australia chair Kate Carnell said there were no details at this stage but such a tariff could devastate the Australian film industry. "Where Australian producers and American producers work together and there's employment that is joint employment here in Australia, [that] would potentially go," she said. " That's worth billions of dollars. " Foreign film and television productions accounted for $768 million in expenditure in Australia between 2023-24. The Australian government offers a 30 per cent location offset for large-scale film projects along with a 30 per cent offset for post, digital and visual effects. Actors Austin Butler, Chaydon Jay and Tom Hanks at the Elvis premiere on the Gold Coast. ( AAP: Darren England ) State governments also offer incentives. There are about 6,000 Queensland jobs in the sector, which Screen Queensland says generates about $500,000m per year for the state's economy. Gold Coast film composer Elliot Wheeler said there's been "consternation and confusion" about the tariff. "We have such wonderful relationships here with so many of the American studios and there's been so much infrastructure put in and so much investment put in to developing those relationships," he said. Composer Elliot Wheeler says the implementation of such a tariff could have impacts outside Australia. ( ABC Gold Coast: Dominic Cansdale ) Mr Wheeler said there was a global network behind most major films. "We can be working on a film that's financed and written in LA or New York, we can shoot it here, we can record the orchestra in London or Australia or Nashville," he said. "We're just scratching our heads trying to understand what it means." A spokesperson said Screen Queensland was waiting for more detail on the tariffs before commenting. '30 year vision' uncertain Interest in the Gold Coast's film industry has surged in recent years thanks to local blockbusters such as Baz Luhrmann's Elvis and DC's Aquaman. Other upcoming Gold Coast productions include Anaconda, featuring Jack Black and Paul Rudd and Voltron, starring Henry Cavill. Photo shows A big fan, a helicopter, and a crane with lots of people standing around on a film set. US President Donald Trump is eyeing Hollywood for his next round of tariffs, threatening to target all films produced outside the US at a rate of 100 per cent. Last year Gold Coast council announced a plan in partnership with US-based Shadowbox Studios to build a state-of-the-art production facility in the city's north that would include 10 sound stages and be worth about $195m to the local economy. Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the tariff announcement cast doubt on that "30-year vision". "It's a private-public partnership — if the private sector wants to pause, it will be paused," he said. Cr Tate said despite the lack of details on how a tariff would be applied it looked like a "kick in the guts". "It sends a message that you shouldn't film outside the USA, yet our facilities are world-class and we're trying to become even a better place to film," he said. The Village Roadshow Studios at Oxenford on the Gold Coast. ( Supplied: City of Gold Coast ) Kate Carnell said Australia was the fifth most preferred destination for US film makers but also a big market by itself. "It's the lucrative market and Australian producers need access to that market and those tariffs would make that very difficult," she said. "The cost of production in the US aren't going to go down — if anything they'll go up, so the cost of film to consumers will escalates. " Everyone's a loser here. " Mr Trump made the tariff announcement on his Truth Social platform. ( Reuters: Annabelle Gordon ) Mr Trump has said he would meet with Hollywood studio representatives, but Ms Carnell said she imagined they would be saying "this is a really bad idea". Queensland Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek has "demanded" the federal government "take up the fight against any draconian tariffs". Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke said the government would be "standing up unequivocally for the rights of the Australian screen industry".
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Forget NRL in Vegas. Hollywood has come to Brisbane for starstruck footy fans at Magic Round
Footy fans that have swarmed on Brisbane for the NRL Magic Round had an unexpected brush with Hollywood on Saturday morning, as actor Owen Wilson was spotted strolling down the iconic Caxton Street. Footy fans enjoying some early morning drinks were stunned to see the Wedding Crashers star casually walking by in a beige suit and white shoes. 'Owen, Owen come for a beer,' one excited fan shouted, capturing the moment on camera. Wilson, seemingly in good spirits, pumped his fist in acknowledgement but kept moving down the street. Cheers of 'Yeah!' and 'WOW' echoed from the nearby pub crowd as the actor disappeared down the street. 'It's surreal,' said one fan. 'You come for the footy and end up spotting Owen Wilson.' Owen Wilson has made it to Magic Round 🏉 — Eden Richards (@Eden_Richards) May 3, 2025 Footy fans from around Australia have descended on Brisbane for Magic Round which features every match of the round at one venue The sighting marks Wilson's latest public appearance in Brisbane while filming his upcoming action-thriller Runner. Earlier in the week, he was seen at New Farm Park, where scenes for the movie were being filmed near the Hopetoun Way end of the grounds. Locals observed cameras, production equipment and film crews setting up as Wilson relaxed on a park bench in a pink button-up shirt. Rumours initially swirled online questioning whether the star had actually arrived, with some users speculating it was a clever fake. But those doubts were laid to rest after multiple public sightings and verified social media footage confirmed his presence in Queensland. Production of Runner, directed by Expendables 4 filmmaker Scott Waugh, began in Brisbane and the Gold Coast on March 31. Wilson stars alongside Reacher actor Alan Ritchson in the big-budget action film. The story follows courier Hank Malone [Ritchson], who must deliver a lifesaving organ to a critically ill seven-year-old girl. Reacher actor Alan Ritchson is spotted jogging on the Gold Coast during his time in Australia to film Runner What begins as a high-stakes medical delivery quickly descends into chaos as dangerous forces intervene. Wilson plays Ben, a fellow medical courier who is reluctantly swept into the deadly mission. Unlike many international productions shot in Queensland, Runner will showcase Brisbane and the Gold Coast as themselves. Footage posted online Saturday also showed large film crews and blackout screens in the streets of the CBD. Some roads appeared shut to the public as filming got underway. The production is expected to inject $20 million into the Queensland economy, with support from Screen Queensland's Production Attraction Strategy. Nearly 90 local jobs are set to be created through the project, benefiting both cast and crew. Wilson's unexpected appearances have added an extra layer of excitement to Brisbane's already buzzing Magic Round. Caxton Street is the iconic entertainment district beside Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane with plenty of watering holes for thirsty footy fans The NRL Magic Round is a three-day rugby league festival held annually at Suncorp Stadium. Since its inception in 2019, Brisbane has become a hub for fans nationwide during the event. All eight matches of the round are played at the one venue, with supporters travelling from across Australia to soak up the action. The 2025 edition of Magic Round included a double-header on Friday and triple-headers on Saturday and Sunday. Thursday night also hosted the opening game of the Women's State of Origin series. Beyond the games, the city transforms into a carnival of rugby league with fan zones, community events, and live entertainment. Nowhere is this atmosphere more electric than along Caxton Street. Located near Suncorp Stadium, Caxton Street is the heart of pre- and post-game celebrations in Brisbane. During Magic Round, the street is lined with fans clad in jerseys, packing into pubs and restaurants.
The Age
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
‘Bold and transformative': New-look BIFF readies for its close-up in Cannes
Brisbane International Film Festival will launch a film market enabling local producers to collaborate with overseas producers, according to its new executive director, Sophie Mathisen. BIFF's new focus on co-productions is set to be launched at this month's Cannes Film Festival. The gear shift comes as the Queensland government announced a long-awaited budget increase for BIFF, as well as a new delivery partner in Mathisen's company, For Film's Sake. 'Co-production is becoming a key priority globally, largely because film budgets are going up, so what we wanted to do is place BIFF at the heart of that growth,' Mathisen said. 'We're returning to the legacy of BIFF, which was always about showcasing the best in global films, but also creating real networks between the local industry and the global filmmaking community.' Last month, Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek announced the Crisafulli government was increasing BIFF's annual operational funding to $350,000, an increase of $100,000 on 2024. It was a welcome show of support for the festival, which has languished over the last decade even as the local screen production industry has flourished. Cancelled by Screen Queensland in 2014 and replaced with the short-lived Brisbane Asia-Pacific Film Festival, BIFF made a comeback in 2017 on a tight funding model.
Sydney Morning Herald
02-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Bold and transformative': New-look BIFF readies for its close-up in Cannes
Brisbane International Film Festival will launch a film market enabling local producers to collaborate with overseas producers, according to its new executive director, Sophie Mathisen. BIFF's new focus on co-productions is set to be launched at this month's Cannes Film Festival. The gear shift comes as the Queensland government announced a long-awaited budget increase for BIFF, as well as a new delivery partner in Mathisen's company, For Film's Sake. 'Co-production is becoming a key priority globally, largely because film budgets are going up, so what we wanted to do is place BIFF at the heart of that growth,' Mathisen said. 'We're returning to the legacy of BIFF, which was always about showcasing the best in global films, but also creating real networks between the local industry and the global filmmaking community.' Last month, Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek announced the Crisafulli government was increasing BIFF's annual operational funding to $350,000, an increase of $100,000 on 2024. It was a welcome show of support for the festival, which has languished over the last decade even as the local screen production industry has flourished. Cancelled by Screen Queensland in 2014 and replaced with the short-lived Brisbane Asia-Pacific Film Festival, BIFF made a comeback in 2017 on a tight funding model.
