Cairns-based film to inject $1.5m, 25 jobs into local economy - NEWS.com.au

Up to 900 jobs are set to be created on the Gold Coast when production picks back up on Baz Luhrmann’s highly anticipated Elvis biopic.

The film, produced by Warner Bros, will bring investment of around $105 million to the state.

Last week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced his government was putting $400 million into luring large-scale film and television productions to Queensland as the state continues to emerge as a coronavirus safe haven.

It comes as filming resumes in Cairns for romantic comedy This Little Love of Mine, the first time cameras have rolled in the state since the pandemic broke out.

The film stars Saskia Hampele (The Heights) and Liam McIntyre (Spartacus: Vengeance) in the story of two childhood friends who reconnect on the tropical island of Sapphire Cove where they grew up.

“I’m very grateful to be back on set after a difficult few months for the film industry,” Hampele said.

“The team here have created a COVID-free bubble so that we can feel comfortable that we’re working in a safe environment, and there is a positive vibe amongst the cast and crew about bringing a feel-good film to life during what has started off as a very challenging year.”

Director Christine Luby said Cairns was proving an incredible location for the film.

“I’m supported by an amazing cast and crew and feel incredibly lucky to be making a film during these turbulent times,” she said.

More than 200 Cairns-based extras had been sought, with at least 100 expected to be in the film when it’s released in cinemas next year.

In addition, it will inject $1.5 million into the local economy.

Last week, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the film industry was worth billions of dollars to the state, and she was keen to get it back up and running again.

“I am proud to say that Queensland is one of the safest places to film, not just in Australia, but in the world,” she said.

“Queensland can now attract more international feature films and high-end television series, creating more jobs for Queenslanders including a flow-on effect for the winder community.

“Governments must ensure they remain competitive in a global context by ensuring their location-based incentives are comparable to international jurisdictions.”

Ms Palaszczuk confirmed cameras were rolling again on the Gold Cost for season two of The Bureau of Magical Things, injecting $8.5 million and 200 jobs into the Queensland economy.

And filming is set to begin on a third series of the ABC crime series Harrow, bringing an extra 120 jobs.

“All this has been possible because we have worked all through the current crisis to keep our screen industry active,” she said.

Queensland boasts two world-class production studios, with Village Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast and Screen Queensland Studios in Brisbane.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said he would like to see the Star Wars franchise begin production at locations on the Gold Coast.

“It make sense in a post-COVID-19 world that Hollywood should come Down Under,” he said.

Mr Tate confirmed he had also contacted Bollywood to bring productions out of Mumbai to the Glitter Strip.

The future of Queensland’s film industry hinges on a potential second wave of coronavirus in the state, but Mr Tate said he was sure social distancing could be well managed on outside film sets.

“Anything to do with COVID-19 we want to be a standout model to the world,” he said.

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2020-07-20 03:54:37Z
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