Qld film sector in turmoil over Trump’s 100pc movie tax

Queensland’s multimillion-dollar movie machine could be derailed after the US President slammed foreign film incentives like Australia’s.

Queensland Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek has condemned a proposal for draconian 100 per cent tariffs on movies made outside the US, demanding the re-elected federal Labor government step in.

The minister was joined industry heavyweights on Tuesday in warning the tariffs threatened to up-end a critical local industry which supports more than 4000 jobs and generates hundreds of millions in annual spend.

“This is not just a headline — this is a serious threat to one of Queensland’s most successful industries,” he said.

“We’ll be demanding the federal government take up the fight against any draconian tariffs that put this industry at risk.”

Mr Langbroek said the only official notice received so far was via social media and confirmed the state government was urgently pressing for answers from federal officials.

Queensland’s multimillion-dollar film industry was plunged into crisis when US President Donald Trump vowed to slap a 100 per cent tariff “on any and all movies” shot outside the United States, an explosive pledge delivered just as Australia’s most powerful producers converged on the Gold Coast for the week‑long Screen Forever conference.

By Monday, the White House attempted damage control, stating only that “no final decisions” had been made and officials were still “exploring options” to meet Trump’s directive to “make Hollywood great again”.

But for Australia’s screen sector — particularly Queensland’s $582 million production hub — the chaos had already taken hold.

Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek

“This has sent shockwaves through the Australian industry,” Screen Producers Australia CEO Matthew Deaner told delegates during his keynote address at Tuesday’s Screen Forever conference.

“With a seemingly 100 per cent tariff on all movies produced in foreign lands … which, of course, is being slightly walked back … nobody really knows what that means for our industry. It reinforces, again, the need for government to focus immediately and swiftly on building a resilient local industry that can withstand global shop.”

SPA council chair Kate Carnell warned the damage could be “dramatic” if the policy proceeds. “It would dramatically impact many producers in Australia,” she said.

Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney warned that Trump’s proposed tariff had triggered “widespread global uncertainty,” leaving the state’s thriving film industry anxiously awaiting clarity amid growing fears of potential economic upheaval.

“Like the rest of the sector, we’re awaiting more detail to understand the potential impacts of the proposed US tariffs approach and will be keeping the lines of communication open with our industry partners and stakeholders,” Ms Feeney said.

“The screen industry is a globally connected sector and here in Queensland we collaborate with local, national, and international production partners, creating local jobs and growing the state’s economy.

“Queensland has earned a strong reputation as a trusted production partner, and we also create unique homegrown screen stories with global appeal. Screen Queensland will continue to work closely with the sector to do all we can to ensure that momentum continues, and we appreciate the immediate support of the federal and state governments this week.”

Screen Producers Australia CEO Matthew Deaner

In 2022–23, Screen Queensland generated an estimated $582 million in film and series production and post-production. This activity supported more than 4000 local jobs and helped establish Queensland as a leading screen industry location.

More than 60 local, interstate and international productions have been made in Queensland since 2015, contributing more than $2 billion to the local economy and creating more than 20,000 jobs for Queensland cast and crew.

“We’re rushing to get some clarification,” he said. “We haven’t seen any executive orders from the White House, and that’s why we need details provided at the highest level from the federal government in their interaction with another national government.”

Despite the uncertainty, Langbroek sought to reassure Queensland’s screen workforce.

“We are backing this industry 100 per cent,” he said.

“This state has proven time and time again that it is a world-class filming destination — from Elvis to The Fall Guy, Aquaman to Godzilla x Kong. This is not the time to pull back support.”

Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke echoed the concerns, saying the federal government would not hesitate to protect Australia’s creative sector.

“Nobody should be under any doubt that we will be standing up unequivocally for the rights of the Australian screen industry,” he said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong also confirmed the government would press its case directly with the US administration, noting the deep ties between the two industries.

Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney

“The reality is, that the industry is set up where we do co-operate together. So we certainly will be engaging. Not just for the economic opportunity, which you point out is a big earner for Australia, but also because it’s a good thing for us to be working together on films and on entertainment,” she told Seven’s Sunrise.

“We all know how many films we see, made in Australia, made between Australia and American filmmakers. We know how many Australian actors are beloved by American audiences. We obviously will be pressing our view about this to the US administration.”

Industry leaders say even the threat of a 100 per cent export penalty is already having a chilling effect, with Hoodlum chief content officer and SPA president Tracey Vieira warning the uncertainty alone was causing harm.

“The uncertainty created by proposed tariffs like these is damaging in itself — it sends shockwaves through an industry that relies on global collaboration and long-term planning,” Ms Vieira said.

“Australia has a world-class screen sector that is creative, resilient and globally recognised.

“While we always aim to tell stories for Australian audiences first, those stories often resonate far beyond our borders.

“This moment only reinforces the importance of backing our local storytellers and making sure our audiences can find and connect with Australian stories on our screens.”

Australian filmmakers Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin

A spokesperson for the Gold Coast’s Village Roadshow Studios — one of Australia’s busiest and most sought-after production facilities — said the studio was working with key industry stakeholders to monitor the unfolding situation.

“Village Roadshow Studios is working closely with the screen industry via the Australian Government’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts to better understand the proposed tariffs,” the spokesperson said.

Australia currently offers generous incentives to foreign productions, including a 30 per cent federal location offset and up to 15 per cent in additional state support.

A 2022 federal analysis forecasted that these programs would generate $4.3bn in international production expenditure by 2026–27.

But some fear that unless the situation is resolved quickly, Queensland’s thriving film economy — often dubbed “Goldywood” — could take a direct hit.

“I’ve never seen anything like this, except for the writers strike, but we knew that was going to end at some point,” one insider told The Courier-Mail.

“But this … this is death.”