The grant will fund a revamp of Screen Illawarra’s website and online services, aiming to attract more productions to the region’s coastline and escarpments. Photo: Office of Maryanne Stuart.
The Illawarra’s growing film and television sector has received a boost, with the NSW Government announcing a $20,000 grant for Screen Illawarra to upgrade its technology infrastructure.
The one-off grant from the Premier’s Discretionary Fund will finance a revamp of Screen Illawarra’s website and online services, aiming to attract more productions to the region’s coastline and escarpments.
The improvements will involve integrating all the organisation’s online platforms to improve the member experience, tightening up its crew and actor and business directories so film industry experts can more easily tap into local talent and services, and upgrading its calendar and noticeboard functionalities so members are well informed about workshops and events.
Screen Illawarra vice-president Sharon Lewis says while the organisation has punched well above its weight since its inception about a decade ago, the past few years have seen it settle into a role of a professional service befitting the region’s thriving film industry.
“In particular after COVID we saw a lot more screen professionals – high-profile and emerging – moving to the area. They’ve realised they don’t have to be in Sydney, and that’s created a real buzz in the region,” she says.
“Rather than travelling from Sydney, filmmakers are generating work in their own backyard, and for emerging young filmmakers, initiatives like the Wollongong Film Festival are providing a new level of opportunities in the region.”
Screen Illawarra, which now has more than 400 members, has played a central role in showcasing the region’s potential as a filmmaking destination, leveraging the Illawarra’s pristine beaches, soaring sea cliffs and diverse towns.
Recent productions filmed in the region include the BBC’s Return to Paradise in Heathcote, Place to Be starring Pamela Anderson, Paramount’s One Night – season two of which has just been greenlit – and the award-winning Finding Addison, which picked up Best Short Film at the 2024 AACTA Awards.
Minister for Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park says it’s easy to see why filmmakers are flocking to the Illawarra.
“We’ve got some of the most talented creatives in the world living and working right here in our own backyard and when you add that to the natural beauty of the region, it’s a blockbuster combination,” he says.
“This funding will be a shot in the arm for Screen Illawarra to help them lead our local industry towards an even brighter future.”
Sharon says long term, the plan is for Screen Illawarra to continue on its trajectory towards becoming a professional service that helps grow the region’s industry, part of which will involve increasing workshops for members and holding more feasibility tours for production companies.
A recent one took more than 40 production companies, including the likes of Disney and Warner Bros, on a tour from Helensburgh to the southern coastal towns to showcase the Illawarra’s offering.
“We’ll run these yearly if not twice yearly to expose the bigger players to the facilities and locations we have. It gives these production houses a better idea of what’s accessible down here – and that’s a lot,” she says.
“Our location database offers amazingly diverse backdrops from the coastline to the bushland, industrial, suburban and metro. Look at the old tunnels in Helensburgh used in Planet of the Apes, or the historical buildings that exist, the bridges like Sea Cliff or Bombo Quarry – all amazing places to film.
“Our local councils are also very happy to offer filming permits to encourage big producers because it attracts a lot of business to the area, from accommodation to catering and any other resources a production crew might need.
“We encourage production companies to use local talent, whether that be for crew or extras, to open up opportunities for local creatives.”
Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart says the funding will help Screen Illawarra “substantially ramp up the amazing work they are already doing”.
“Screen Illawarra is responsible for creating local jobs and promoting the local film and TV industry,” she says.
“We are so lucky here in the Illawarra to have such a beautiful environment. Screen Illawarra have been showcasing the Escarpment, beaches and stunning coastline on the world stage. This funding will let even more budding filmmakers tell stories in the Illawarra.”
