Homegrown Feature Film Breath Launches

Homegrown feature film Breath, based on Western Australian author Tim Winton's Miles Franklin Award winning novel of the same name, has launched with a premiere hosted by the Albany Entertainment Centre.

Breath, filmed entirely on location in the Great Southern region, marks the directorial debut of well-known Australian actor Simon Baker. The local production had a significant impact on the region's economy - supporting an estimated 150 jobs over the project's life and generating an estimated $5.6 million short-term benefit for the local economy. Breath received major production investment support from Screen Australia ($2 million), Screenwest and Lotterywest ($800,000), as well as Royalties for Regions in association with the Great Southern Development Commission ($1.5 million).

Screenwest administered and monitored the Royalties for Regions contribution, along with its own investment, and worked with the Great Southern Development Commission to ensure the project met its 'buy local' and human capacity development obligations.

Meanwhile, the Federal government has announced a new Location Incentive Program aimed at supporting the sector and creating work for local talent. The $140 million program will be delivered over four years from 2019 to attract large budget international productions to be filmed in Australia. It is expected to bring in over $260 million per year in new foreign expenditure to the local economy.

Read about the Location Incentive Program here.

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