The Peel region will be the backdrop for a new Australian film, with the first project announced under the Barnett Government's Western Australian Regional Film Fund to be Ben Elton's Three Summers.
Arts minister John Day said the $16 million film fund was backed by the Royalties for Regions program and was nationally and internationally significant.
“Barely four months after it was launched, the WA Regional Film Fund is already delivering,” he said.
“This exciting project will stimulate our growing screen industry and help increase employment and skills development in regional communities.
“Written and directed by Ben Elton, the multi-award winning novelist; playwright; television writer and lyricist, the film fuses romance and music with political satire and uses the Fairbridge Festival as its creative inspiration.”
Regional development minister Terry Redman said the project was a tremendous opportunity for the Peel region, with economic, cultural and social spin-offs for local residents and communities.
“There is no better way to showcase regional WA to the world than by having our spectacular landscapes and locations up on the big screen,” he said.
“The production of high-profile feature films such as Three Summers in the Peel region will create jobs, raise the profile of the region and strengthen local businesses.”
The Peel Development Commission welcomed the production.
Chairman Paul Fitzpatrick said the economic benefits would be apparent throughout the region during the production and in the follow-up promotion of the movie.
“Transport, logistics, accommodation, catering – as well as employment – will all have an immediate and positive impact within the local Peel economy,” he said.
“The region will be showcased on screen and during the promotion of Three Summers, which will enhance the tourism potential of the Peel region.
“The Commission are pleased to support this project and will continue to work co-operatively with other Peel agencies to further build regional capacity around the film’s production.”
Three Summers will be produced by Australian production companies Taylor Media and Invisible Republic, and is funded with the support of Screenwest, Screen Australia, Transmission Films and Arclight Films.
