The value of the McGowan Government’s dedicated Asian Engagement portfolio is putting runs on the board, with the news that a visiting Chinese delegation will start scouting filming locations throughout Western Australia today.
The visit is the first step in a potential co-production between Chinese film company, Truly Sense Media and WA production company, Legend Media Group. It highlights the potential benefits of developing skilled job opportunities in the world’s fastest growing time zone.
A Heads of Agreement between the two companies was recently signed – hopefully the first of many future film industry partnerships between China and Western Australia.
The agreement comes on the back of the recently filmed Viva La Romance, which was shot in Rockingham and will air to a Chinese audience of more than a billion people.
As well as supporting WA’s blooming film industry, the spin-off benefits of successfully co-producing a new film that showcases WA’s attractions to audiences in China are significant.
The McGowan Government has welcomed the visiting Chinese delegation and will highlight the capacity of WA’s emerging film industry, when it hosts a reception for the delegation at Government House tonight with a number of WA film production companies.
In coming days, the delegation will visit locations in the South-West, Kimberley, Pilbara and metropolitan regions, including Rottnest Island, the Swan Valley and Rockingham.
As stated by Asian Engagement Minister Peter Tinley:
“WA has a longstanding economic relationship with China, and it is very encouraging that we are finding greater opportunities to deepen our ties in partnerships that go far beyond iron ore exports and the resources sector.
“While this potential production with Legend Media represents a fantastic opportunity, there are many other WA production companies ready to engage and do business with their counterparts in China and, in the process, create and support local jobs.
“We are also working with other WA industries, besides the film sector, to identify, diversify and build investment opportunities.”
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
“This is a promising new milestone in the development of the State’s growing film industry.
“It is early days, and there is some development needed before production begins, but this is another welcome and exciting advance for WA’s world-class cultural industries.”
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“The opportunities for boosting the local economies and jobs in regional areas are enormous.
“China is a key tourism market for our State, and any additional exposure of our unique regional attractions will further boost the flow-on effects to regional jobs and economies around the State.”
