NSW incentives to attract Luhrmann's Gatsby to remain confidential
According to information released by NSW Premier Kristina Kenneally, Sydney production of Baz Luhrmann’s $120m remake of The Great Gatsby starring Leonardo DiCaprio was secured through the state’s enhanced film investment fund, but no further details will be provided.
“‘Projects supported by NSW Film & Television Industry Attraction Fund are negotiated individually. To protect future investment projects and retain the best negotiating position for the State, they remain commercial in confidence. Generally, support may include payroll tax and/or other cash rebates,” a spokesperson for NSW Minister for the Arts Virginia Judge told Encore.
Industry insiders have estimated the rebates provided by NSW could be worth up to $10-12m.
The Great Gatsby is the first big budget international project announced for Australia in the 2010/11 financial year, when the industry has been hit by our dollar’s increasing value – reaching parity with its US counterpart in late 2010.
After Minister Simon Crean’s publication of the screen industry review this week, Ausfilm and a number of service companies are asking the Federal Government to increase the Location/PDV offsets as soon as possible for Australia to become more competitive.
“The reality is that the strength of the Australian dollar has created a challenging environment for all Australian states to attract production to our shores. The NSW Government showed its commitment to the industry thought its $25m funding boost, however, ensuring that NSW, and Australia generally, is competitive in the global market, requires commitment from all levels of Government,” said the spokesperson.
Encore asked Minister Judge’s office whether Luhrmann’s power in Hollywood and ultimately, his desire to support his home country’s industry, had influenced the studio’s decision to shoot in Australia, even in the face of an expensive Australian dollar.
“Baz Luhrmann’s influence on this decision is a question most appropriately put to him and Warner Bros. The NSW Government considers it very important to create a film friendly environment that encourages our big international filmmakers to come home to work. They’ve been doing so increasingly over recent years – Bruce Beresford, Peter Weir, Stephan Elliott and Baz Luhrmann have all made Sydney their home for recent films,” added the spokesperson.
