Victoria shines on the silver screen

Kate Winslet stars in The Dressmaker

Victoria is increasingly becoming a location of choice for film and TV producers from around the country, and around the globe. The purpose built Docklands Studios Melbourne provide excellent production, construction, costume and sound facilities, and combined with the state’s depth of acting talent, crews,  post-production and VFX expertise, Victoria is a one-stop-shop for producers.

It is the locations however that really clinch the deal. Regional Victoria’s diverse landscapes double as the set for lands near and far, and their close proximity to the city means they are within easy reach. Melbourne too can (and does) act as a backdrop for period, contemporary and futuristic story-lines set in cities as varied as New York, Boston, London, Paris and Shanghai, thanks to its mix of historical and contemporary architecture.

The Dressmaker (out today) leads a long list of recent productions around the state:

The Dressmaker (2015)The Grampians stars alongside a stellar cast in the just-released Australian feature film The Dressmaker (screening nationally from 29 October). The film was shot on location in Horsham and Mt Rothwell Biodiversity Interpretation Centre with interior sets to match the locations built at Docklands Studios Melbourne. A cinematic adaptation of Australian author Rosalie Ham’s bestselling novel, The Dressmaker was produced by Victorian Sue Maslin and directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse.

Oddball (2015)Filmed in and around the Great Ocean Road town of Warrnambool, Oddball tells the true story of how maremma sheepdogs came to save Middle Island’s little penguin colony from predatory foxes. The Roadshow Films feature stars Shane Jacobsen, Sarah Snook and Deborah Mailman and was released in September 2015.

Holding The Man (2015) Private Melbourne school, Xavier College features in this Australian made drama, along with the suburb of Lower Templestowe and the city of Melbourne. Starring Ryan Corr, Guy Pierce, Sarah Snook and Geoffrey Rush the film was released earlier this year to great acclaim.

Now add honey (2015)Portia de Rossi stars alongside Melbourne comedian and radio personality Hamish Blake, Robyn Butler and Lucy Fry in this soon to be released Australian film. Produced by Gristmill, this film tells the story of a suburban family whose lives implode when their pop-star cousin comes to stay.

Childhood’s End (2015)A Universal Cable Productions series, Childhood’s End is an epic US science fiction television mini-series based on a classic Arthur C. Clarke novel. The six-hour miniseries was filmed in Melbourne late in 2014 and will première on the US Syfy network in December 2015.

The Moon and the Sun (2015)This fantasy, adventure feature film, based on the award-winning novel by Vonda McIntyre was filmed on the stages of Docklands Studios Melbourne and at a range of locations throughout Victoria including Werribee Park Mansion. The Moon and the Sun stars Pierce Brosnan and was released at cinemas in earlier this year.

Lion (2016)Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire), Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and Nicole Kidman star in Lion, which was (mostly) filmed on location around Melbourne and at Docklands Studios. Directed by Victorian Garth Davis the film is based on the book A Long Way Home which tells the true story of a young Indian boy, Saroo Brierley, who is adopted by Australians. Lion is set for release in January 2016.

Hunters (2016)US cable television series Hunters was filmed in Melbourne in 2015. The 13 episode series was filmed at Docklands Studios and various Melbourne locations. Produced by Universal Cable Productions in collaboration with Melbourne-based company Matchbox Pictures, Hunters is based on Whitley Strieber’s best-selling novel Alien Hunter about a secret government unit assembled to hunt a group of ruthless terrorists – that may or may not be from this world. Hunters is scheduled to premiere in the US on the SyFy Channel in 2016.

Victoria also stars in:Killer Elite (2011): You Yangs, Yarra Valley, City of Melbourne, Docklands Studios MelbourneDon’t Be Afraid of the Dark (2009): Macedon, Drusilla Mansion at Macedon, Docklands Studios Melbourne, City of Melbourne, Docklands Studios MelbourneKnowing (2008): Geelong and Macedon Ranges, City of Melbourne, Docklands Studios Melbourne, Newport Rail yardsThe Beautiful Lie (2008): Daylesford and the Macedon RangesThe Pacific (2007/2008): Ballarat, You Yangs, Flinders Street Station, Victoria Park, City of Melbourne, Carlton, Docklands Studios MelbourneThe Children of Huang Shi (2007): Flinders Street Railway StationWhere the Wild Things Are (2006): Warrnambool, Portland, Mt Arapiles, Discovery Bay, Bushrangers Bay, Gillwell Park, Williamstown, Werribee stone quarry, Docklands Studios MelbourneGhost Rider (2005): You Yangs

More media enquiries, contact Molly Waugh at Film Victoria: Molly.waugh@film.vic.gov.au, +61 3 9660 3212 or Larissa Manski, larissa.manski@film.vic.gov.au, +61 3 9660 3228