‘Priceless publicity’: Budget to include $2.5m for NT films

The Territory’s screen industry will receive a $2.5 million boost in next week’s budget, the NT News can reveal.

THE Territory’s screen industry will receive a $2.5 million boost in next week’s budget, the NT News can reveal.

The injection of funds will come in the 2021-22 financial year and is aimed to strengthen the NT’s unique screen industry and help with the development and production of screen content, industry events and partnership activities.

It comes as the government puts more support behind the new Netflix production of MaveriX in the Red Centre.

It has signed on as an equity investor for the project which is tipped to be the Territory’s largest-ever screen production.

MORE NEWS:

5-metre crocodile launches into boat, attacks group of night fishermen in Kakadu

NT government finds only 160 of 400 staff, with three days to go

Parents warned after stranger approaches kids near Darwin primary school

MaveriX is expected to inject $5 million into the local economy and create up to 400 jobs for Territorians.

The production will be broadcast internationally on Netflix, which will showcase the Territory to an audience of 204 million subscribers across 190 countries. Here in Australia, ABC Me will hold exclusive rights for airing the series across iview, the linear channel and social media.

The equity investment enables the Government to share in domestic and international profits of the finished screen production with other investors through sales to broadcasters, on demand platforms, streamers and licensing and merchandising companies.

Industry Minister Nicole Manison said the government was thrilled to invest in the local screen industry.

“MaveriX is a local success story – the production will showcase true Territory talent, and share the wonders of the Red Centre with the rest of the world,” she said.

“This is also priceless publicity from a tourism perspective, giving the Territory huge exposure across our screens nationally and internationally.

“Investing in the screen industry also provides more upskilling and employment opportunities for Territorians, with flow-on benefits for local businesses.”