Some of the world's best actors will grace the Gold Coast, with Queensland locking in Australia's premier film awards night.
Key points:
- AACTA president Russell Crowe acknowledges how much Queensland's film industry had grown
- The ceremony will bring actors such as Crowe, Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett to the Gold Coast
- Screen Queensland has supported 41 film and series productions in the 2021-22 financial year
Russell Crowe, the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) president, announced the organisation would shift its annual awards night from Sydney to the Gold Coast.
He said the region would host the awards ceremony for three years from 2024.
"This is going to be an event that really shakes things up," Crowe said.
Speaking at Burleigh Heads on Saturday, Crowe said the move acknowledged how much Queensland's film industry had grown.
"We're looking forward to broadcasting a memorable show and showcasing the Gold coast and the great state of Queensland," he said.
"Queensland, it has to be said, right now in terms of film productions, is leading the way."
Last year, Elvis took out 11 awards, Mystery Road: Origin won seven awards and Chris Hemsworth received the AACTA Trailblazer Award.
A venue for the 2024 awards is yet to be determined, however, the Gold Coast has previously hosted awards nights like the Logies.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the announcement was a "major coup" for Queensland.
The event — which will bring Crowe, Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett to the Gold Coast's red carpet — is expected to inject $3.4 million into the region's economy.
"Our screen industry keeps going from strength to strength as we build our international reputation as the place to film world-class cinema and television content," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"Queensland is a production paradise offering the complete package, with film-friendly locations, highly skilled crew, world-class facilities and competitive incentives."
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said that Screen Queensland had supported 41 film and series productions in the 2021-22 financial year.
He said it had injected an estimated $220 million into the state economy and created 5,400 jobs.
"Of course, with Queensland's natural talent and assets, we're driving more and more interest from production companies in filming here," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"Right now, Queensland is at the start of a golden [age] of international opportunity in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"We're thrilled to have the AACTAs as part of that runway of major events, and we are literally ready to roll out that red carpet," he said.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the city was in a unique position to attract productions and to ensure they stayed local.
"We're the only council in Australia with the funds for film attraction that we add, on top of the Queensland government, to make sure the projects don't go south, literally," Mr Tate said, referring to southern states picking up film productions over Queensland.
He said the city had made a long-term commitment to growing its film industry.
"I've been door-knocking, whether it's [in] the UK or [in] the US, to get interest," Mr Tate said.