A-lister highlights opportunities for Victoria’s creative industries

While all the buzz was happening outside, representatives of Victoria’s creative and cultural industries were inside parliament outlining the possibilities for growth in the sector.

Speaking at a parliamentary hearing, Caroline Pitcher, CEO of VicScreen celebrated the 'vibrant, strong, local industry' that has been created in the state.

Ms Pitcher noted that while New South Wales has advantages in attracting top international screen projects, Victoria has made itself a space for international investment.

'Projects that are sitting at the expenditure of up to $150 million have a home in this state,' she said.

'We have capacity to grow,' she said. 'We’ve proven we have been able to grow.'

VicScreen aimed to generate $1.23 billion over the course of the last four years but is expected to generate closer to $1.8 billion.

Ms Pitcher praised the state’s sustainable level of growth, noting that while other states’ growth tends to peak and trough due to inconsistent international investment, VicScreen has created a consistent pipeline of work for Victorians.

Another exciting area of growth is in the development of digital games.

'Victoria was and is the leader in digital games in this country, a lot of other states are trying to catch up with us,' Ms Pitcher said.

'We've grown the digital games industry in the last three-and-a-half years by 1000%.'

Creative Victoria Chief Executive, Claire Febey outlined the benefits that the creative industries are having across the state.

Victoria’s creative industries contribute $40.5 billion to the economy, coming from projects across regional and metropolitan areas.

Grants for recipients in regional areas made up 24% of total grants provided by Creative Victoria in 2023-24.

But there is always room to expand, Ms Febey indicated.

'We’re always having the conversation for growth in regional areas,' she said.

Victoria’s regional landscapes provide great investment opportunity within the state, according to Ms Pitcher.

She outlined that 75 productions had been shot in regional Victoria in the past three-and-a-half years, creating 2300 regional employment opportunities and $27.5 million in expenditure.

'One of Victoria's greatest strengths is its diversity of geographical location,' she said.

She noted that the Liam Neeson film, The Mongoose, has been shooting in Castlemaine and other regional towns, including Bacchus Marsh.

'It's a great moment of celebration for local communities as well, where they can get involved and participate and be part of the energy and success of the screen industry here in Victoria,' she said.

 

The Victorian population’s ongoing participation in cultural art programs is creating hope for continued growth.

'Every adult Victorian is in the market for culture,' Ms Febey said.

'Victoria rated higher for cultural participation than all other jurisdictions, this includes New York City, Sweden and the UK.

'More than 11 million Victorians and visitors came through the doors of our state-owned art and cultural institutions in the last financial year.’

Moving forward the appropriate decisions must be made, according to both bodies.

The 'right policy settings that are globally competitive' are needed, Ms Pitcher indicated.

This includes strategic investment from the state, as well as continued public consultation to help the sectors grow.