Igniting a new era for screen

FILM VICTORIA TRANSFORMS TO VICSCREEN, LAUNCHES A NEW PRODUCTION FUND AND SPECIALIST SKILLS PROGRAM

Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson joined Film Victoria CEO Caroline Pitcher, Producer Joanna Werner and Videogame Developer Liam Esler on the set of the new Victorian-made TV series Crazy Fun Park to launch the Victorian Production Fund, a $40 million program that will increase support for Victorian-led film, television, digital games and online content created in the state. 

The fund will invest in Victorian-led productions to deliver diverse and compelling content for local and international audiences alike. It is expected to inject $130.5 million into the Victorian economy every year, as well as creating the equivalent of 3,700 full time jobs over four years. 

Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson said, “We’re backing Victorian-led productions that will support thousands of creative jobs and drive Victoria’s continued development as a global screen powerhouse.” 

Responding to the growing demand for skilled workers across the screen industry, a new $2.06 million Specialist Placement Program has also been established to address critical skills gaps across the screen ecosystem. This new skills development program will grow the local talent pool to fill in-demand roles including production accountants, location managers, script editors, post-production supervisors and games marketers. 

From left to right: Werner Film Productions Producer Joanna Werner, Creative Industries Minister Danny Pearson, VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher, Summerfall Studios Managing Director Liam Esler.

Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson said, “Our screen production pipeline is increasing at a rapid pace and we are investing in the future of our local talent pool across film, television, digital games, animation and visual effects.”   

Both programs are supported as part of the Victorian Government’s $191.5 million VICSCREEN strategy, which is investing in new talent, skills, businesses and events to grow the state’s screen industry. 

To deliver this strategy and reflect the breadth of screen content made in the state, Film Victoria will be re-branded VicScreen, Victoria’s creative and economic screen development agency. This recognises Victoria’s growing strengths in areas such as digital games and positions the agency to promote Victoria as a global screen powerhouse. 

Film Victoria CEO Caroline Pitcher said, “Today Film Victoria builds on its rich legacy of screen industry support and evolves into VicScreen, better representing the entire screen ecosystem and promoting Victoria as a world-leading centre for screen.” 

“Victoria is an epicenter for games development in our region, in fact our agency has invested in digital games for more than 25 years. I’m excited that our name now fully represents such important sectors of our industry.” 

Creative Industries Minister Danny Pearson with Producer Joanna Werner on set of Crazy Fun Park.

Werner Film Productions Producer Joanna Werner said, “From The Newsreader, Clickbait, Surviving Summer and Crazy Fun Park - I'm really proud to produce Victorian-led series that are loved by both Australian and international audiences. The rise in demand for fantastic content and the amazing storytellers we have here in Victoria coupled with our state’s world-class talent, crew and facilities makes this such an exciting time to be a part of our industry.” 

Managing Director of games development company Summerfall Studios, Liam Esler said, “Victoria has long been the home to a vast majority of Australia's game developers, who each contribute to making our state one of the best and most vibrant places to make games in the world. The transition to VicScreen is an exciting step for an organisation that has always been a key champion of digital games in Australia, and recognises the increasingly important role games play in the screen industry." 

Together, the Victorian Production Fund and the Specialist Placement Program will bolster the local industry by growing the local talent pool and preparing our state to capitalise on the global screen entertainment boom.   

To learn more about VicScreen, apply for the Victorian Production Fund or the Specialist Placement Program visit vicscreen.vic.gov.au

Crazy Fun Park Director Nicholas Verso and Stuart Menzies, in conversation with Creative Industries Minister Danny Pearson.