Blockbuster movies to be lured as arts rescue package

Festivals, tours and concerts are on their way back to Queensland, as part of a $250 million rescue package to be launched today. But it’s the serious talks to lure back blockbuster Hollywood films that are really setting tongues wagging.

INTERNATIONAL blockbuster films would get incentives to film in Australia once the nation’s borders reopen, under plans to lure back big production jobs, as the Morrison Government unveils a separate $250 million arts rescue package today.

Festivals, concerts and events cancelled due to COVID-19 will get a second chance to go ahead with $75 million in grants up for grabs, while there are $90 million in loans for productions and events able to prove they will be job creators.

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There is a also $50 million insurance guarantee fund, which will help film makers secure finance for local productions how have been hitting roadblocks due to COVID concerns.

Cash will be available to help local screen productions get started, while talks are going on to lure major productions back to Australia. Camera operator Miranda Porter on the set of Mako Island of secrets at Village Roadshow studios. Picture: John Gass

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is framing it as much about “the tradies who build the stage sets … as it is about supporting actors and performs in major productions”. 

But it can be revealed that there are ongoing talks looking at further incentives to lure large-scale Hollywood and other international productions to the country once borders are lifted.

Tax offsets are one possibility, but it is understood other incentives are being looked at closely.

It will be separate to today’s announcement.

The Gold Coast film industry has a strong history of securing top Hollywood films including Thor: ­Ragnarok, Dora and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.

But the industry has been arguing a location tax offset for overseas productions needs to be increased to 30 per cent, from 16.5 per cent, to help attract the big films.

The $250 million package to be announced today will be delivered over the next 12 months towards the $112 billion arts and entertainment industry, which employs 600,000 people including 104,000 Queenslanders.

But Mr Morrison said the scheme would as much help the 400,000 arts workers in supporting roles, like carpenters, electricians, cleaners, kitchen hands and finance managers, as it would those in the limelight.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will announce a $250 million arts rescue package today. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

“These measures will support a broad range of jobs from performers, artists and roadies, to front of house staff and many who work behind the scenes, while assisting related parts of the broader economy such as tourism and hospitality,” he said.

“Many in the sector will find a new way to operate while the current social distancing measures remain in place and while that won’t be easy, I know there’s a strong desire among Australians to see the return of gigs, performances and events.”

The $75 million in seed funding for festivals, concerts and tours will range in size from $75,000 to $2 million.

There will be an additional $35 million for Commonwealth-funded arts and culture organisations facing threats to the viability due to the pandemic, including theatre, dance, circus and music organisations.

Originally published as Blockbuster movies to be lured as arts rescue package