Pictured L-R .Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira, The Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Screen Producers Australia CEO Matthew Deaner.  Photo by Alister Randell

Queensland continues to cement its reputation as Australia’s screen industry hub by securing the nation’s most prestigious screen industry event to the state.

Tracey Vieira, CEO Screen Queensland said that the SCREEN FOREVER conference, run by Screen Producers Australia (SPA), will attract national and international screen industry leaders to the state to learn about current industry trends, network and pursue screen industry business opportunities in Queensland, the screen state.

“We are immensely proud to leverage our screen industry expertise and our outstanding major events capability to bring SCREEN FOREVER to Queensland,” said Ms Vieira.

“It is fitting that we make this announcement on the eve of the TV WEEK Logie Awards as it continues to show that our state has strong, diversified industry capabilities that can maximise opportunities to connect sectors like screen, tourism and major events to deliver economic, employment and industry outcomes for Queensland,” added Ms Vieira.

Matthew Deaner, CEO of SPA, was excited that SCREEN FOREVER will be returning to Queensland to continue to grow and evolve the event from 2020 through to 2022.

“Queensland’s screen industry has been on the forefront of innovation and international partnership, employing over 7,000 screen professionals and contributing an estimated $981 million to the local economy,” said Mr Deaner.

“Queensland presents significant opportunities for local and emerging production businesses, with over twice the national average growth in production businesses and Brisbane’s recently opened $12 million Screen Queensland Studios.

“We’re delighted to champion the talent, passion and achievements of Australia’s screen industry and independent production as part of SCREEN FOREVER in Queensland from next year.”

“SCREEN FOREVER has had a fantastic run in Melbourne since 2012, going from strength to strength thanks to our great partnership with Film Victoria. We’ve got a stellar line up for 2019, which we’ll announce shortly to make this year’s conference in Melbourne our best yet.

“We thank Victoria for the fantastic support they have provided over many years, and look forward to ending our Melbourne run on a high,” added Mr Deaner.

Caroline Pitcher, Film Victoria CEO, said it had been a pleasure to support and host the annual conference in Melbourne for eight years as its principal partner.

“In that time, the screen industry has experienced significant transformation, which has generated many complex challenges as well as some tremendous opportunities for our screen industry,” said Ms Pitcher.

“Like the industry, the conference itself must also continue to transform and evolve, which is why we believe it is timely, after eight years, for it to move on from Victoria and be welcomed by the vibrant state of Queensland in 2020,” Ms Pitcher said.

SCREEN FOREVER attracts more than 850 delegates each year and is one of the largest congregations of screen industry professionals in the Southern Hemisphere and attended by leading Australian and international industry practitioners involved in all aspects of producing, creating, writing, directing, distributing and financing screen content across film, television, games, immersive and online.

The annual three-day conference includes networking events, keynote addresses, interviews, panel discussions, workshops, roundtables, pitching opportunities and the International Partnership Market.

ENDS

Screen Queensland media contact: Bronwyn Fardon, 0414 327 576, 3248 0500

Screen Producers Australia  Media Contact: Georgia Kinninmont  0430 355 295