Queensland Cuts Screen Funding by $13M a Year, Raising Fears Over Future Productions
Synopsis
The Queensland government has cut annual incentives funding for Screen Queensland by at least $13 million for the next two years, prompting industry concerns that reduced state support, could weaken confidence and push film and television productions to other locations.
Queensland has reduced funding for film and television incentives, prompting industry representatives to warn that the decision could weaken confidence in the state and push future productions towards competing Australian and international locations.
Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek last week announced $50 million in incentives funding for Screen Queensland over the next two years.
The allocation represents a reduction of at least $13 million a year compared with the $42 million provided in the 2025-26 state budget and the $38 million annual allocations in the two preceding budgets.
Screen Producers Australia Chief Executive Matthew Deaner said the cut confirmed concerns that had emerged following the state budget.
Industry Warns of Lost Productions
Deaner said producers had selected Queensland for their businesses and productions partly because of the stability and scale of state investment. He warned that New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and overseas production hubs were now being considered as alternatives.
The concern comes as Queensland's screen sector records significant economic activity. Government figures show Screen Queensland generated more than $541 million in direct Queensland production expenditure during 2025-26 and supported employment for over 6,600 people.
Deaner argued that the reduction represented a relatively modest government saving compared with the potential economic activity that could be lost if productions moved elsewhere.
Gold Coast Seeks Funding Clarity
The funding change has also raised concerns on the Gold Coast which has benefited from major international productions including Elvis, Aquaman and Thor: Ragnarok.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has written to Langbroek seeking clarification on the funding allocation and what additional state support will be available to the screen industry during the next two financial years.
Screen Queensland Chief Executive Jacqui Feeney said the sector had experienced rapid growth and record demand for funding. She added that the revised incentives would continue to operate alongside the federal government's 30% offsets and rebates.
Langbroek defended the decision, saying the Crisafulli government was providing multi-year funding certainty that would allow the industry to plan projects over two years, create jobs and support Queensland's economy.
However, the government has not provided specific details on why Screen Queensland's incentives funding was reduced or how the change could affect industry confidence.
Source: ABC News
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