Film, TV plan bit closer Sound stage meeting scheduled for today
SCREEN Queensland will cohost a roundtable meeting in Cairns today to develop plans for a multimillion-dollar sound stage for the Far North.
Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt will also host the screen industry meeting, involving local industry practitioners and key community stakeholders, to discuss the status of the industry in the region, and future opportunities for film and television infrastructure.
Mr Pitt has been championing the sound stage proposal, which has been earmarked for either of the disused Masters Home Improvement and Bunnings buildings at Portsmith.
“Bringing together locals who work in the film and TV industry with education, legal, and construction firms who support growing the screen industry in the Far North is an important first step,” he said.
“It seems the vision I have for a world-class movie sound stage for Cairns is shared by plenty of industry and community stakeholders who’ve reached out and are keen to contribute.”
He said the potential for the Far North to develop as a screen hub, as part of growing the $1 billion industry statewide was “very real”.
“Far North Queensland is already home to many experienced local practitioners across television and feature films, plus we have emerging presence building in virtual reality and gaming which would also benefit from world-class facilities,” he said. “I thank the Premier for dedicating Screen Queensland resources to the Far North as it’s a critical commitment to attract the investment needed for infrastructure and to develop strategies to attract more screen production to the region.”
Mr Pitt, who was the state’s former Treasurer, spent $31,000 to travel to the US last year, which included a meeting with Paramount Pictures to discuss the concept of a Cairns film sound stage.
Far North Queensland has been the location for several Hollywood films over the decades, including Fool’s Gold (2008), Nim’s Island (2008), The Thin Red Line (1998), and The Island of Dr Moreau (1996).
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