Overview
Sydney is expanding its international film production capabilities with a new proposal from the NSW Government for a new production hub in Western Sydney. Open now to Expressions of Interest from industry partners, the $100 million project will expand on the established Disney Studios Australia in Moore Park and the state government's three-year NSW Screen & Digital Games Strategy.
Disney Studios Australia has been in operation for decades as Australia's only major film studio, playing a role in the production of international feature films like Mission Impossible 2, Moulin Rouge!, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Great Gatsby, Peter Rabbit, The Fall Guy, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and Apex.
(L-R): Soona (played by Lydia Peckham) and Noa (played by Owen Teague) in 20th Century Studios' KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
The EOI will be open to proposals on both private and government-owned land. To support the process, three government-owned sites in Western Sydney (at Bungarribee, Eastern Creek and Prospect) have been identified that respondents may consider when preparing a proposal.
EOI submissions will be evaluated against the NSW Government's objectives to strengthen capacity, attract international blockbusters, support local production, create local jobs, and ensure NSW remains the nation's screen powerhouse.
Ryan Gosling is Colt Seavers in THE FALL GUY, directed by David Leitch
The EOI process will be open to proposals for those who think they can deliver the critically needed screen infrastructure to support the project's scale – including six sound stages minimum. It will close in May, before being evaluated and considered by the NSW Government. Yesterday, Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting said Western Sydney is "well placed" to support the continued growth of Australia's screen industry.
"Western Sydney is alive with creativity. Our young and diverse population represents a powerful pipeline of talent and new opportunities for Australia's screen industry," he said. "We have the space, with large-scale productions requiring space for sound stages, workshops and backlots, Western Sydney has the scale and infrastructure needed for projects of that size. It makes sense."
This article originally appeared on Rolling Stone AU/NZ.
Lead image: 'Mad Max: Fury Road', courtesy of Roadshow.