Written by new-contact on Nov 12, 2010. Posted in Production News

Australia makes AUD170 million from foreign location shoots

Productions from around the world are clearly finding Australia an appealing prospect, as foreign projects have delivered AUD170 million to the Australian economy in 2009/10. Seven overseas productions – two features and five TV programmes – chose to film Down Under in 2009/10.

Ruth Harley, Chief Executive Officer of Screen Australia, said: “In order for the screen sector to continue to thrive, it is vital that Screen Australia continues to provide its direct support for films in the medium-budget ranges which are difficult to finance in this climate with the indirect support of the Producer Offset alone.”

The Producer Offset provides a tax rebate of up to 40% for official co-productions. The two feature films to choose Australia were the Guillermo del Toro-produced Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the latest in the Narnia franchise. The Steven Spielberg-produced TV drama series Terra Nova started filming in Brisbane this week.