Screen Queensland
All drawn by the state’s diverse locations, attractive financial incentives, expert crew, world-class studios and renowned post-production facilities. During 2020-21, Queensland hosted 41 screen productions, including many international feature films and series. In the same year, of the 13 productions entering Australia via the Federal Government’s Location Incentive, eight filmed in the Sunshine State.
Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction program offers a selection of incentives and grants for national and international producers, with projects that have a minimum AUD$3.5 million Queensland Production Expenditure (QPE).
The state is currently home to two studio complexes: Screen Queensland Studios in Brisbane and Village Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast. Development of a new studio complex is due for completion mid-2022, in tropical Cairns — the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
Screen Queensland Studios offers a total lettable area of 16,000 sq metres (173,000 sq ft). Village Roadshow Studios is one of the largest sound stages in the Southern Hemisphere measuring 3,716 sq metres (40,000 square feet) and three purpose-built water tanks, including the largest in Australia. Both studios, and the upcoming Cairns studio, are in close proximity to international airports, as well as a diverse selection of accessible locations.
Myriad location options are available state-wide, including some of Australia’s most enviable white beaches, tropical rainforests, deserts, swamps, green meadows, dry grasslands, sprawling cityscapes, sleepy towns and historical architecture.
Headquartered in Brisbane, Screen Queensland is the state government’s screen agency, offering a bespoke, concierge service second to none. Staffed by highly knowledgeable screen professionals, many drawn from industry, Screen Queensland provides expertise and assistance across physical production, locations, funding, legal and marketing, working hand-in-hand with productions from point of initial enquiry through to acquittal.
The agency offers:
- COVID-19 and physical production liaison
- advice on state and federal incentives and co-production ventures
- location breakdowns
- tonal and bespoke location packages
- liaison with local government authorities
- advice on local crew recruitment.
Screen Queensland Production Attraction Program
BenefitsThe Queensland Government via Screen Queensland offers this incentive, available to productions with a minimum spend of AU$3.5 million within the state.
A further incentive is available from the City of Gold Coast to productions that spend AU$1.5 million in the region.
These incentives can be used in conjunction with the Australian Government’s Location Offset and Incentive, Producer Offset and PDV Offset.
Eligibility
Post, Digital and VFX (PDV) Incentive
BenefitsScreen Queensland’s 15 per cent incentive for PDV is the most competitive on Australia’s eastern seabord, for work attracted to and completed in Queensland on post-production and VFX elements.
EligibilityPDV work completed in Queensland with a minimum AU$250,000 QPE on PDV elements.
Further information:
SQ – Post, Digital and Visual Effects Incentive
State Payroll Tax Rebate
BenefitsAvailable for those productions that have paid the 4.75 per cent Queensland Payroll Tax.
EligibilityFor projects with a minimum spend of AU$3.5 million in the State.
Further information:
SQ – State Payroll Tax Rebate
Regional Incentive
BenefitsA grant of up to AU$100,000 is available.
EligibilityFor eligible productions that film in regional and remote areas of Queensland.
Location and Scouting Assistance
BenefitsBy application.
Further information:
SQ – Location Scouting & Assistance
Kathryn Metcalfe
Location and Production Attraction Coordinator
[email protected]
The Revolving Film Financing Fund (RFFF)
BenefitsProvides secured loans to cash-flow the Producer Offset, distribution guarantees and pre-sales with a 7 per cent loan fee charged on RFFF loans making it an extremely competitive option.
EligibilityOfficial Treaty Co-productions
BenefitsPlease see Screen Australia’s requirements for Official Co-Productions.
SCREEN FINANCE PROGRAM
BenefitsAvailable where a Queensland producer or writer is attached.
Eligibility- Elvis
- Ticket to Paradise
- Thirteen Lives
- Spiderhead
- Young Rock S1 & 2
- JOE vs CAROLE
- Irreverent
- Godzilla vs Kong
- Nautilus
- Thor: Ragnarok
