Australian stars Aaron Pedersen (The Fear of Darkness, Mystery Road), Jacki Weaver (Silver Linings Playbook, Animal Kingdom), Alex Russell (Unbroken, Carrie), David Gulpilil (Charlies Country, The Proposition), David Wenham (Paper Planes, Oranges and Sunshine) and Tom E. Lewis (The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, Red Hill) will be heading to Winton when filming for Goldstone, a contemporary western thriller set in outback Queensland, commences in May.

Goldstone is the latest film from acclaimed writer and director Ivan Sen (Mystery Road, Beneath Clouds) and producer David Jowsey (Mystery Road, Satellite Boy).

‘We are proud to be supporting and investing in Queensland’s award-winning writer and director Ivan Sen and his producing partner David Jowsey of Bunya Productions,’ said Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira.

Queensland Premier and Arts Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said Screen Queensland was investing $530,000 in Goldstone, which is expected to reap direct returns of $2.15 million in Queensland Production Expenditure (QPE) to the state’s economy.

‘Film production has a direct impact in providing employment and skill development opportunities for Queensland’s technicians and creative talent,’ Ms Palaszczuk said.

Goldstone will be shot exclusively in the Winton Shire region and is set to build an entire township set called “Goldstone” in Middleton.

The film is a spin off from Ivan Sen’s acclaimed Mystery Road, also shot in Winton Queensland in 2012, and supported by Screen Queensland through development and production funding. Mystery Road premiered internationally at the 2013 Toronto Film Festival and opened the 60th Sydney Film Festival receiving critical acclaim.

Many of the same Queensland film crew who worked on Mystery Road will be returning to Winton to shoot Goldstone. The film’s producers will inject significant money into the local economy with jobs ranging from transport, plumbing, electrics, casting, communications, hospitality, logistics, mechanical and of course local cast including Indigenous cast and extras.

As part of Screen Queensland’s commitment to Early Career Screen Practitioners, Aaron Fa’Aoso has been granted an attachment to producer David Jowsey for the production and post-production of Goldstone. This attachment will be essential in building Aaron’s career as a screen producer and he will gain extensive experience and upskilling across development, financing and hands on producing right through to the marketing and distribution stages of the project.

‘The economic value of the screen industry is very evident when played out in regional communities,’ said Ms Vieira.

‘Spend from the production and its cast and crew on accommodation, retail and entertainment including Winton’s local cafes and pubs will be meaningful in this drought affected community.’

In Goldstone, Aaron Pedersen will reprise his role of indigenous detective, Jay Swan introduced to audiences in Mystery Road.

‘The importance of investing in Goldstone lies not only in the direct benefits the film will play in the economic, employment and skills’ development opportunities for our creative talent and technicians, but also in showcasing the spectacular region of outback Queensland.

‘What a stellar cast to be bringing to our outback with Aaron, Jacki, Alex, David Gulpilil, David Wenham and Tom E. Lewis to showcase the natural wonders of Western Queensland on the big screen,’ said Ms Vieira.

‘Film can stimulate local council economies with the flow-on benefits of cultural tourism as it not only creates jobs, but it puts the focus on outback Queensland allowing our rich cultural diversity and voice to be embraced and represented on screen.’

Producer David Jowsey said: ‘It is fabulous to be heading out to Winton and the stunning landscape of central Queensland to shoot Goldstone.’

Winton is a part of Screen Queensland’s Film Friendly Pathways Program which promotes Queensland as a film friendly destination. Screen Queensland met with representatives of the Winton Shire Council in 2014 during the inaugural Outback Vision Splendid Film Festival to discuss film and television production in the outback.

Screen Queensland recently announced investment of about $1.5 million into three new television productions, which are expected to return about $10.9 million in direct Queensland Production Expenditure (QPE) to the state’s economy and create hundreds of jobs.

Goldstone is a Bunya Productions film (Producers David Jowsey and Greer Simpkin) in association with Screen Queensland and Screen Australia and will be distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Transmission Films, with international sales by Arclight Films.

Goldstone received direct funding of $1.17 million through the Screen Australia Indigenous unit.

– ENDS –

For all media interview requests, please contact:

Cathy Gallagher
Goldstone Media Contact
ABCG Film
T +61 416 227 282
E Cathy@cg-publicity.com

For Screen Queensland enquiries, please contact:

Angela Samut
Communications and Marketing Manager
Screen Queensland
T +61 7 3248 0500
E media@screenqld.com.au

For further information about Screen Queensland’s funding programs and other incentives, visit www.screenqueensland.com.au

About Screen Queensland:
Screen Queensland supports a creative, innovative and successful screen industry through development and investment; secures production to Queensland; and delivers an active screen culture across the State.

Screen Queensland recognises the screen industry’s vital contribution to the nation’s cultural landscape including its ability to showcase Australia’s rich, cultural diversity, facilitate cultural engagement, stimulate cultural tourism and reflect the national voice and identity on screen.

Screen Queensland supports and promotes a screen industry that makes productions designed to entertain and connect with worldwide audiences. It is focused on driving the growth of the state’s screen industry and in doing so, generates broader economic, employment and cultural benefits across metropolitan and regional Queensland. screenqueensland.com.au