THE state government will invest $31.9 million over four years to implement a new screen industry strategy as part of its economic diversification plans, with initiatives that grow the local screen industry and establish the state as a major international and national screen production destination.

In 2023, a total of 41 film, television, digital games and post-digital and visual effects projects commenced production in WA, including filming in the Perth Hills, Gidgegannup and York, and this year is shaping up to be even busier.

The government’s vision for the future of the industry is outlined in the WA screen industry strategy, which provides a roadmap to coordinate and guide activities in support of the State’s screen industry over the next 10 years to create new jobs.

A key focus of the strategy is to implement a new workforce development plan that will allocate $11.2m over four years to enhance local production skills and capabilities, and bolster the local screen industry workforce production capacity in readiness for the completion of the new screen production facility.

The state government has already committed $233.5m for the construction of the new screen production facility near the Malaga Metronet station precinct with construction now underway and expected to be completed by 2026.

An additional $2m over two years will extend the pilot ‘digital games and interactive fund’, which is delivered through Screenwest, to fund support to WA digital games and immersive technology companies and creatives to develop and release high-quality, diverse and engaging digital games.

This funding comes on top of the $18.7m recently announced to finance the attraction of major productions to WA, promote the state nationally and internationally as a production location and expand local industry capacity to support the growing demand for production.

Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman said the government believes show business was good business.

“That’s why we are investing heavily in the screen industry in WA to support local production, grow creative employment, attract public and private investment, diversify our economy, and showcase our great state as an attractive tourism destination,’’ he said.

“We want to create new highly skilled jobs across the state, and ensure WA’s screen workforce is world-class, thriving, and ready for the increased opportunities the state government’s commitments will bring.

“The WA ‘screen industry strategy’ will help attract commonwealth incentives and investment to the state as WA becomes a place where international productions of a high quality are produced and WA stories are created to be shared with the world.”