Australia's screen industry is experiencing a record boom, with drama production expenditure reaching AUD2.7 billion ($1.93 billion) in 2024-25, a 43% increase from the previous year, driven largely by international projects.
International Productions Boost Local Economy
Producers like Craig McMahon, CEO of Forte Corp Holdings, highlight Australia's ability to convincingly recreate foreign locations, as seen in the Robbie Williams biopic “Better Man” and Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis.” These productions benefit from incentives such as a 30% federal rebate, making Australia a cost-effective destination.
Balancing Local and International Projects
Screen Australia reports a drop in Australian titles from 89 to 71, yet local production spending rose 14% to AUD1.1 billion. Screen Producers Australia CEO Matthew Deaner emphasizes the need for strategic local storytelling expansion to benefit from intellectual property growth.
Co-Productions and Regional Opportunities
Emmanuel Pappas of Asia Pacific Pictures advocates for co-productions to expand market reach. Australia’s treaties with countries like India are opening new avenues, with Pappas structuring agreements across continents to enhance commercial viability.
Future Prospects and Workforce Development
Screen Australia's recent PICA study outlines key areas for industry focus, including skills development and infrastructure coordination. Initiatives like the establishment of new studio facilities in Perth and Sydney highlight ongoing expansion efforts.
The introduction of local content quotas for streaming platforms is another development with potential to drive local industry growth, according to industry leaders like McMahon and Deaner. They view these policies as catalysts for enhanced international collaboration and market expansion.
As Australia's screen sector continues to thrive, industry leaders focus on strategic investment in local storytelling, intellectual property retention, and international partnerships to sustain and amplify this unprecedented growth.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/news/australia-record-screen-boom-homegrown-stories-1236730327/
