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BOND University's Catherine O'Sullivan will play a leading role in attracting big-budget film productions to Queensland in her newly appointed role to the Screen Queensland Board of Directors.
O'Sullivan, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Pathways and Partnerships at Bond University, will guide funding recommendations to prospective film and television projects in her three year term with Screen Queensland.
The Queensland Government agency is responsible for building an innovative and sustainable screen industry, fostering screen culture and attracting production to the state.
O'Sullivan stressed the positive fiscal impact of the screen industry for Queensland.
"The film and television industry has a strong economic multiplier, and people should be encouraged to understand this is a creative space that has a huge impact on the economy," she says.
"Screen Queensland is undertaking a rigorous study into the economic benefit of filming Pirates of the Caribbean on the Gold Coast and the early indicators are that it is quite significant."
Screen Queensland has recently signed a partnership with the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) to provide funding towards what O'Sullivan says will be the largest sound stage in the southern hemisphere.
"It is a fantastic move for the Gold Coast and will help us to continue to attract blockbuster films to the area," she says.
O'Sullivan says Bond University is committed to developing the film and television industry in the region.
"Screen Queensland has had a great relationship with Bond University for some time through the fantastic work of Michael Sergi, Bond's Director of Film and Television, and we have gained a reputation for being a leading voice of innovation in the industry," she says.
"It is very exciting for Bond University to now have representation on the board of Screen Queensland, so we can continue to be proactive in this space and actively seek and attract international producers to develop their films here in Queensland."
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