Blockbuster funding year for Screenwest — $9.2 million in 2023/24
The State Government is showing its support for WA’s screen industry with a blockbuster funding announcement of $9.2 million in Lotterywest grants for 2023/24 — an additional $1.5 million compared to the previous year.
The funding is separated into 2 grants with $7.7 million matching 2022/23’s contribution to support the screen industry and a second grant of $1.5 million supporting the capacity of local productions and towards the development of the WA First Nations filmmaking sector.
WA productions supported in 2023/24 include feature films Birthright, Runt, Red Rock Run and We Bury The Dead; TV series Population 11, Invisible Boys, Kangaroo Beach and Tales from Outer Suburbia; and documentary series Maggie Beer’s Big Mission, Our Law Season 2 and Australia’s Sleep Revolution with Dr Michael Mosley.
The Lotterywest grants will allow Screenwest to support the development, production and promotion of film and television projects in WA, as well as skills and business support opportunities for local screen practitioners, First Nations programs, and help promote diversity and inclusion.
The $9.2 million in funding will help ensure a steady pipeline of employment opportunities for WA cast, crew and extras in the state.
The State Government’s commitment to the Western Australian film and screen production industry spans almost 30 years through around $150 million in Lotterywest grants.
Rikki Lea Bestall, Screenwest CEO said: “Thank you to Lotterywest and the State Government for their ongoing support, which has been an integral part of growing our vibrant WA screen industry – an industry that showcases our stories, talent, culture and Country to the WA community and the world.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Lotterywest for the additional $1.5M which will allow us to support an even greater level of production in our state.”