Businesses operating in the screen industry in North and Far North Queensland are now eligible to apply for up to $75,000 in funding.
The new NQ Enterprise fund totals $250,000 and comes from the Queensland Government via Screen Queensland.
It will support active screen businesses in production, post-production, production services, game development or distribution.
Eligible businesses may wish to apply for funding towards hiring new team members, engaging expert consultants, purchasing equipment and infrastructure, investing in innovation, exploring new revenue streams or executing marketing strategies.
Screen Queensland predicted applications will be competitive.
“Grants will be strategic and diverse, aimed at businesses that can demonstrate ambitious proposals that meet the objectives of this program, real potential and reflect the diversity of the population,” it said.
Kylie Munnich, Screen Queensland’s CEO, said the new support package focuses on growing the local screen industry as part of the organisation’s North Queensland Regional Program.
“The film, television and games sectors are significant contributors to economic growth and employment in our state, engaging a number of businesses that not only create productions, but provide valuable services such as catering, legal, accountancy, transport, construction and more,” she said.
“Our goal is to grow the north of the state as a hub of screen production and game development, and this fund will further enable screen businesses to expand, diversify and innovate, to support a robust production ecosystem in the region.”
Chris Mulgrave, the MP for Mulgrave and a member of the Palaszczuk Government, said the fund responds to the growing slate of high-profile productions being secured by the region.
“With Screen Queensland Studios: Cairns due to be operational by the end of 2022, supporting local screen businesses is how we are delivering a holistic strategy to attract more production, with a focus on building deep, long-term capabilities in the industry,” he said.
“Far North Queensland has been the backdrop for such productions as upcoming U.S. series “Irreverent”, Netflix’s “Puff: Wonders of the Reef”, rom-com flick “This Little Love of Mine”, teen series “Dive Club” and SBS/NITV food and culture show “Strait to the Plate”, which recently wrapped on Season 2.”
Queensland’s premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, was roundly praised at last week’s Screen Producers Australia Screen Forever conference for her dedication to the sector and drive to bring more productions to the sunshine state.
It was then announced the 10th season of “The Bachelor Australia” would be filmed on the Gold Coast in Queensland following a deal between Warner Bros. Australia and the Queensland Government via Screen Queensland.
Applications for the NQ Enterprise Fund are open now and close on May 6.
