Minister Grant Media Release: Latest Film and Television Productions Supported by Screen NSW

NSW continues to lead Australia’s screen industry with the State Government investing in film and television productions, creating jobs and promoting NSW.

Minister for the Arts Troy Grant said the NSW Government will invest $625,000 in two new feature films, a children’s series, a feature documentary and three factual programs.

A feature film from the producers of The Sapphires, and a television series from the producers of Underbelly are among the projects to receive funding.

“These seven projects have a combined production spend of more than $17 million and will create an estimated 424 jobs in NSW,” Mr Grant said.

“Nearly 60 per cent of all people employed nationally in production and post-production are based in NSW, generating $1.58 billion dollars annually.

“The three factual programs will be produced in regional NSW, so the economic benefit of the substantial production spend will be experienced across the State.”

The two feature films to receive production investment from the NSW Government are Holding The Man and INFINI.

Holding the Man is the new film from The Sapphires producers, Goalpost Pictures Australia, and will be directed by Neil Armfield, the highly regarded former artistic director of Belvoir Street Theatre and director of the film, Candy, which starred Heath Ledger and Abbie Cornish.

Director Shane Abbess will follow up his debut film Gabriel, which received more than $25 million at the international box office, with INFINI, another science fiction thriller, set in a hostile environment in space.

Mr Grant said the productions highlight the diverse strengths of the NSW screen industry, representing a range of new work from some of the State’s most experienced film and television creatives, as well as emerging new talent.

“In 2013-14, the NSW Government, through Screen NSW, has invested more than $4 million in local film and television projects, with additional Regional Filming Fund grants of $395,000.

“This funding will leverage more than $80 million in production expenditure in NSW and create more than 3,500 jobs in our screen industry.

“The funding underpins the screen industry in NSW, ensuring ongoing professional opportunities in this highly skilled and innovative sector, and contributes substantially to the economic and cultural life of NSW,” Mr Grant said.