Lights, camera, action for FNQ

FAR North Queensland has had a very long and fascinating history with Hollywood.

From the 1930s classic Lovers and Luggers, filmed in the Torres Strait, through to the heady days of 2008’s Fools Gold, filmed at Port Douglas, the Far North has attracted a wealth of talent and celebrities to its reefs and rainforests. But despite our stunning scenery appearing on many silver screens across the world over the decades, the homegrown film industry, as of 2016, has only managed to employ more than 100 people, according to Screen Queensland. The State Government is hoping to change our filmmaking fortunes with its Far North Queensland Screen Production Strategic Plan, a three-year plan aimed at developing content from FNQ’s storytellers to deliver a range of unique, multimedia productions to gain a slice of worldwide screen sector, worth $US653 billion.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt have flagged a movie making hub for Cairns, to kickstart the local industry.

This appears to be a bit more than a Field of Dreams style “build it and they will come” proposal.

The Premier says new studios built in Brisbane have become in such demand with US studios, they are looking elsewhere in Queensland to shoot their next productions.

Filmmaking and tourism often go hand-in-hand, particularly in places like the Gold Coast. The likes of Will Smith, Sir Elton John, and Mark Ruffalo have all spent time in FNQ in recent years. With enough support from the government and industry, there is no reason why Cairns cannot become the “Cannes” of Australia.

We certainly have the lifestyle for it, and a wealth of locations for Alisters to work, rest and play. Daniel Bateman daniel.bateman@news.com.au