As film, television and digital games projects spring back from the global COVID hiatus, the Victorian Budget 2021/22 will provide a record $120.7 million for an ambitious strategy to supercharge Victoria’s $2.2 billion screen industry; growing jobs, strengthening screen businesses and bringing local content to screens worldwide.
Launched VICSCREEN, Victoria’s first screen strategy in more than a decade, includes 11 actions to put Victoria at the forefront of the global screen entertainment boom and will support more than 40,000 project jobs over the next four years, generating more than $1.2 billion for Victoria.
Building on the recent success of local productions such as The Dry, the $46 million expansion at Docklands Studios Melbourne with a sixth sound stage and the $40 million transformation of screen museum ACMI, VICSCREEN is comprehensive plan to build on Victoria’s strengths and position the industry for growth for decades to come.
With a focus on supporting diversity and inclusion on screen and behind the scenes, VICSCREEN actions include the new Victorian Production Fund which will boost the production of Victorian-led film, television, online and digital games content and a new creators lab with the first iteration focused on premium drama.
With more projects fuelling a growing screen workforce, Victoria’s next generation of screen workers will be supported with career and skills development programs for key creatives and crew, and through actions focused on training in innovative digital sectors such as visual effects, games and animation.
With Victoria recently welcoming international screen businesses such as animation house Princess Bento Studio and games studio Sledgehammer Games, VICSCREEN also focuses on attracting more screen businesses to set up in the state while supporting local businesses to develop their commercial capabilities and global connections.
Blockbuster productions remain a focus through the expansion of the Victorian Screen Incentive which seeks to attract international and interstate film, television and games projects to the state, creating a pipeline of secure work for local screen workers and specialist businesses.
Cinephiles also get a look in with continued support for screen events and festivals and for ACMI to continue its work developing new drawcard exhibitions and activities for audiences of all ages.
In line with the ambition of the strategy, the Victorian Government’s screen agency Film Victoria will be revitalised and expanded to lead the implementation of VICSCREEN in collaboration with Docklands Studios Melbourne, ACMI, Creative Victoria and industry stakeholders.