Australia welcomes its seventh international production since the introduction of the Australian Government’s AU$140 million Location Incentive in May 2018.

The Federal Government and Victoria State Government have partnered to secure Paramount Television and Anonymous Content’s 10-part television adaptation of Gregory David Roberts’ best-selling novel Shantaram to film in Melbourne, Victoria.

Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon. Paul Fletcher MP said he was pleased to support the adaptation of the iconic Australian novel.

“Shantaram is a mesmerising Australian story and this series will bring it to life for a new generation, creating further jobs for our world-class screen industry,” said Minister Fletcher.

“The production is expected to attract more than $55 million in investment, employ around 330 cast and crew and use the services of more than 500 local businesses.”

Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said he looked forward to the production generating significant employment and skills development opportunities for Victorian creatives.

“We’re delighted that Shantaram will showcase our state and the talent of our creatives to an audience of millions around the world,” said Minister Foley.

Caroline Pitcher, CEO Film Victoria, said
“With our talented crews and award-winning screen businesses, Victoria is perfectly positioned to benefit from the global production boom, firmly cementing our reputation for high-end television production.”

“Film Victoria’s increased focus on international markets, including the US, helped drive a record $251 million in direct production expenditure for the state in the last financial year, up 18 percent on the year prior.”

“We’ve also seen a 46 percent increase in pitch requests from Australian and international crews wanting to film in Melbourne. Securing productions such as Shantaram which comes hot off the heels of hit US series Preacher, builds on this momentum, generating jobs and skills development opportunities for our local industry, and creating a pipeline of production for the future.”

Debra Richards, CEO of Ausfilm, Australia’s screen services association, said “Ausfilm and its membership of screen businesses applauds the Australian Government and the Victorian government for their ongoing support in attracting international productions to Australia.”

Ausfilm worked closely with Film Victoria to secure Shantaram through its promotion of Australia as a world-class production destination.

Richards concludes saying there will be thousands of Australian crew, cast, technicians and businesses employed across Australia this year, “We are delighted the produciton will be utilising Ausfilm member, Docklands Studios Melbourne. In addition to this, Marvel Studios is currently in pre-production Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Thor: Love and Thunder to Fox Studios Australia in NSW, we also have Queensland, Victoria and South Australia busy with major international productions. In Queensland, Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis feature is about to start production at Village Roadshow Studios, Paramount’s feature Monster Problems and ABC America’s TV series Reef Break have recently wrapped; Season 4 of Sony television’s Preacher also recently wrapped in Melbourne and ramping up production now in Adelaide is Warner Bros. Mortal Kombat.”

Read the full media from the Hon. Paul Fletcher and the Hon. Martin Foley release here.