Hundreds of influential screen industry professionals have arrived on the Gold Coast for the opening of SCREEN FOREVER, Australia’s premier screen industry conference and marketplace.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the event not only supported local tourism operators but showcased the region’s diverse locations and state-of-the-art screen facilities to more than 1,100 physical and digital, national and international delegates.
“While Hollywood hosts the Academy Awards today, the Australian screen industry is uniting and celebrating on the Gold Coast – our own Hollywood Down Under – with the opening of SCREEN FOREVER,” the Premier said.
“The event was first held in Queensland from 2004-2008, before moving to Melbourne, Victoria, but it is back in Queensland where the screen industry is thriving.
“We continue to attract blockbuster-after-blockbuster to Queensland and now our dazzling screen capital of the Gold Coast again hosts Australian and international screen practitioners.
“COVID-19 restrictions previously prevented us from hosting an in-person event and after transitioning to a successful virtual event in 2021, I’m delighted to finally welcome delegates in-person, to experience the Gold Coast’s impeccable hospitality, innovation and expertise.
“This conference is an opportunity to further showcase the diverse locations, world-class studios and post-production facilities, which supported our COVID-Safe filmmaking hub through the pandemic.
“Over the last two years, we have lured a number of major productions to Queensland – including Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, Ron Howard’s Thirteen Lives and more recently, the Disney+ adventure series Nautilus.
“I also recently announced the sequel to Godzilla vs Kong would be filmed here, securing even more jobs for Queenslanders.
“Last financial year, Screen Queensland secured 41 productions and games, injecting an estimated $478 million into the local economy, and creating approximately 5500 jobs for Queenslanders.
“Hosting SCREEN FOREVER keeps Queensland in the picture, helping to secure a pipeline of productions to grow our local screen industry and support jobs for years to come.”
Running over an extended 5-day schedule until 01 April, the 36th edition of SCREEN FOREVER will deliver a program of panel discussions, networking events, keynote addresses and workshops, tailored to screen practitioners including writers, directors, producers and distributors.
The SPA Connect Market which generates over $100 million in deals annually, will facilitate lucrative production deals on the conference floor, while the SPA Awards will honour outstanding Australian screen productions from the last two years.
Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich said the Queensland Government, through Screen Queensland, is the Principal Partner of SCREEN FOREVER 36, which receives support via the Screen Culture program.
“The aim of the Screen Culture program is to provide a platform for local industry to showcase their work, facilitate industry connections, and access inspiring content – and that’s exactly what SCREEN FOREVER does,” Ms Munnich said.
“I encourage delegates to make the most of their time in Queensland – connecting with local producers, exploring our facilities and discovering why our state is the perfect setting to create and collaborate.
“This event has been many months in the making, and I thank the team at Screen Producers Australia for bringing the event to the Gold Coast, and for presenting another compelling, immersive program for the industry.”
SCREEN FOREVER is operated by Screen Producers Australia, which has presented Australia’s peak screen industry conference since 1986.
