Future of Film in Sydney

Australia has recently become a hub for Hollywood films. Blockbuster films such as Aquaman (2018), Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) and Elvis (2021) were shot around the country, yet many would exclude Sydney as an area to film in. With the Sydney Film Festival right on our doorstep, let’s take a look at what the next generation of film in the Sydney region will look like.

Sydney so far does not have a large film industry. The only notable film shot in the area in the past couple years was Marvel’s Shang-Chi (2021), shot in Western Sydney’s Prospect. Queensland and Melbourne, however, have large and growing film industries. Yet, young creatives in Sydney have a lot to offer.

A student film ‘Phagocytosis’ written and directed by Western Sydney’s Georgia Dickinson had a level of professionalism one may not expect. “The university is obviously very supportive of their students and they’ve got all the equipment that they need” Bronte Rose, actor in the film states. “I’ve worked in professional environments before and this is just as close as that” she continues.

Bronte Rose captured with special effects make-up for student film 'Phagocytosis'. SFX make-up by Ashleigh Grace. Photography by: Garima Singh.

Though, compared to the rest of Australia, Sydney’s film industry may not be able to compete, especially if as low budget as a student film. Melbourne now has an intense virtual production studio with large LED screens at 17.5m by 4.5m powered by a super computer. It is “dubbed the next big thing in film and TV” ABC News states. These virtual production studios have been used on critically-acclaimed film and TV such as Dune (2021) and The Mandalorian (2019-). With Melbourne holding the world’s largest virtual production studio, the industry is well and truly about to boom.

Chris Mallas, production assistant, shooting for student film 'Phagocytosis'. Photography by: Garima Singh.

Queensland, on the other hand, has “9 out of the 13 climate zones that filmmakers look for” Belinda Burns, acting chief executive of Screen Queensland tells ABC News. Queensland has had films such as Thor: Ragnarok, Elvis and Pirates of the Caribbean shot on its shores and this list is only expected to grow. Sydney may have a lot of catching up to do but the creatives hidden within the city are ready to show that they are ready.

Dickinson’s student film is based on the idea of nature’s revenge and is inspired by classics such as The Blair Witch Project (1999) and Annihilation (2018). “It is a classic parable told in a way that’s appropriate for a modern audience” states Chris Mallas, production assistant on the film.

The student film features a lot of visual effects (VFX) and special effects (SFX) make-up to compensate for no access to CGI. These special effects were created by Ashleigh Grace, a professional SFX make-up artist. “[Working on a student film] festers such an amazing creative environment for everyone involved, especially when you have access to all the lighting and equipment you need” she states.

Set design for student film 'Phagocytosis'. Set design by Ashleigh Grace. Photography by Garima Singh.

Creatives in Sydney are experienced, talented and equipped for the competitive film industry, yet they are not given the opportunity to express these qualities when the film industry within Sydney is lacking compared to its neighbouring cities.