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Upcoming feature film Days of Abandonment, starring Oscar winner Natalie Portman, is set to shoot in Sydney and regional NSW after snapping up a $3.4 million location incentive grant.
Filming will commence this month on the project - an adaptation of the novel by pseudonymous writer Elena Ferrante. Portman will star as Tess, a woman who abandons her dreams for a stable home life, only to be left in turn by her husband.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Paul Fletcher said the production is tipped to add more than $25 million to local economic activity.
"Days of Abandonment will directly create more than 200 jobs for cast and crew, 500 extras roles, and use the services of an estimated 400 businesses across New South Wales when they begin filming in July," he said.
Location incentive funding has so far been dished out to 24 productions, with $224 million spent out of an assigned $540 million. Those films have led to more than $1.74 billion of expenditure, an estimated 16,000 jobs for cast and crew, and work for more than 15,600 businesses around the nation.
NSW Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said securing Days of Abandonment cemented the state's place as Australia's film production powerhouse.
"NSW is the creative heart of Australia, employing 56 per cent of the people in our screen industry and there is no better place for production of this feature film," he said.
"The NSW Government's Made in NSW fund is supporting Days of Abandonment. This production will showcase the talent and expertise of our incredibly talented actors, producers and crew to showcase, and at the same time stimulate our local economy by bringing jobs right across the trades, hospitality and transport sectors who support them."
Executive producers Maggie Betts, Celine Rattray, Sophie Mas and Len Amato added that they were excited at the opportunity to film Down Under.
"We are very appreciative to have the opportunity to safely film in Australia alongside the talented people who live and work in the country," the four said in a statement.
"Everyone has been so welcoming and we look forward to a successful production."
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