Victoria government launches new $33m package to entice productions

The Victorian Government will inject $33.8m into the screen sector to encourage local and overseas productions to film in the state.  

Of the package, $19.2 will form a new Victorian Screen Incentive program, which will appeal to interstate and international productions and visual effects, animation, post-production and digital games teams.

Meanwhile, $4.7m will be allocated toward developing local film, TV, online and games productions, and $8.6milion will provide a boost in budget for Film Victoria.

This follows the recent announcement by the New South Wales government that it is adding AUS$175m (US$123m) to its existing Made in NSW Fund, which also supports high-end international film and TV productions.

The vast majority of the fund is to be committed this financial year, including for the action film Blacklight, starring Liam Neeson, which started shooting in Melbourne this week. The project will employ 340 local crew, more than 825 casuals, cast and extras, 50 local post-production, digital and visual effects professionals and support 30 Victorian businesses ranging from catering to transport.

Backlight is one of a number of productions currently shooting in Victoria, including the Netflix/Matchbox Pictures series Clickbait, which are all still adhering to strict COVIDSafe protocols, despite case numbers declining to low levels.

As Docklands Studios Melbourne prepares to break ground on its $46m sixth sound stage, $1.3m of the new fund will be allocated to create a trade and technical hub close to the studios for screen crews and support businesses.