International filming means more employment for Fijians

Film Fiji continues to receive interest from international film makers to film here

The two international productions planned for filming later this year and two early next year in Fiji will mean more employment opportunities for Fijians.

The Film Fiji chief executive officer, Dallas Foon said these two productions would be from Australia, one from United States and one from Europe. Mr Foon said with a 2.8 economic multiplier, this means the economy would see $2.80 of new economy activity for every dollar that productions spend here.

“Productions provide training to locals which helps boost our resource base and grows the industry,” he said. “They spend large amounts of money in a very short period of time which significantly boosts the economy of the local area they film in. “They hire and purchase local services, transport and goods from the area.”

Mr Foon said importantly, Film Fiji carefully reviewed productions interested here.

“This is only approved when it is satisfied that these productions will bring benefits to the economy and showcase Fiji to the world.” He said the Tourism Industry was the ultimate beneficiary with fans of the shows filmed here coming to visit the locations. This, Mr Foon said resulted in increased

visitor arrivals from the markets, the films were exhibited. “Film Tourism is a proven market around the world with many examples to refer to and Government has recognised this potential and put serious resources to tapping into it.”

Mr Foon said the two productions were scheduled for shooting from October/November, however the next years projects would commence from April.

“We generally do not disclose the size of the production budgets unless permitted to,” he said. “However, we can advise that these productions will be injecting a significant amount of new spending into the economy.” According to Mr Foon, Film Fiji continues to receive interest from international film makers to film here regularly.

“At this stage, the discussions are preliminary and at scouting stages so we are not able to comment just yet on them.”

Mr Foon added Fiji has had a busy first half of 2016 in terms of filming. “So far this year we have had 35 productions shoot in the country, ranging from small TV documentaries to significant reality TV shows and a feature film.”

We generally do not disclose the size of the production budgets unless permitted to, however, we can advise that these productions will be injecting a significant amount of new spending into the economy.

Dallas Foon

Chief Executive Officer for Film Fiji