(L-R) Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and SPA CEO Matt Deaner (Photo: Alister Randell).
Screen Producers Australia’s annual conference Screen Forever will move to Queensland from next year until 2022 after eight years in Melbourne.
Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira said the conference will attract national and international screen industry leaders to the state to learn about current industry trends, network and pursue screen industry business opportunities.
“We are immensely proud to leverage our screen industry expertise and our outstanding major events capability to bring Screen Forever to Queensland,” she said.
SPA CEO Matt Deaner said: “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, 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.”
SPA is evaluating multiple locations in Queensland for next year’s event and has yet to make a decision.
Film Victoria CEO Caroline Pitcher said: “It has been such a pleasure to support and host Screen Forever in Melbourne since 2012 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.
“Like the screen 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.
Victoria continues as the home of Series Mania Melbourne, the Australian International Documentary Conference, 37o South at the Melbourne International Film Festival and PAX during Melbourne International Games Week.