March 10, 2023 | By Bronwen Largier
A new $12.6 million screen facility will open in Portsmith in Cairns before the end of 2023, offering production offices, editing suites, a sound recording studio, construction and wardrobe facilities and an events space.
The facility will be supported by $7.95 million over six years from the state government for operational costs.
“Tropical North Queensland is renowned for its stunning beach, rainforest locations and skilled workers, which is very appealing to production companies and has driven interest in the region as a screen production and tourism destination,” said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“Recent productions in the Far North include U.S. feature film Wizards!, U.S TV series Irreverent and homegrown series Strait to the Plate and Dive Club.
“But we want even more productions to be filmed in Cairns and that is why we are investing $12.6 million on a new film studio at Portsmith.”
The new facility could also be leveraged for bidding for business events in the growing screen industry.
“The state-of-the-art facility, built across 6,500 square metres at Portsmith, will enhance this region’s flourishing reputation as a screen hub and will continue to grow opportunities for First Nations writers and directors and other local creatives,” said Far North Queensland screen champion, speaker of the Queensland Parliament and member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt.
“The Cairns studio will complement Screen Queensland Studios, Brisbane and an upcoming facility on the Gold Coast, as well as the Gold Coast’s iconic Village Roadshow Studios – creating the largest studio network in the southern hemisphere.”
Screen Queensland CEO Courtney Gibson said the new facility will leverage Cairns already strong visitor offering.
“With world-class studio facilities including a sound stage on the way, Cairns is set to become one of the most attractive places in the world to make drama and features.”
