Election Update

Message from Scott Emerson, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs and the Arts, Shadow Minister for Transport: -

The Gold Coast is at the centre of Queensland’s film industry, built on a reputation of providing outstanding and diverse locations, leading-edge technologies and world-class production facilities. The LNP believes is it essential to grow this industry, not only because of its economic benefits and job creation but because it provides an outstanding opportunity to showcase to the world Queensland's creative capacities. The Gold Coast Film Festival, held at the home of the our State's film sector, plays an important role in promoting this crucial creative industry and I wish it great success in 2012.

www.scottemerson.com.au

Message from Rachel Nolan, Minister for Finance, Natural Resources and the Arts: -

The Queensland screen industry is going from strength to strength and there is no doubt that the Gold Coast is the epicentre of film and television.

The Queensland Government, through Screen Queensland, provides almost $10 million a year towards screen culture and production and of this almost one third of the funding is directed towards the Gold Coast screen industry.

Through this funding the Bligh Government has succeeded in attracting international production companies to Queensland shores – directly supporting local screen workers and organisations and last year returning $176 million to the Queensland economy.

The Bligh Government stands on a strong record when it comes to arts and culture. I call on the LNP to detail how they will support local jobs and the economy, through their support of the screen industry.

www.rachelnolanmp.com

**For the purposes of informed review by screen culture event supporters, we would like to add a comment to Ms Nolan’s statement. According to the Screen Queensland 2010-11 annual report, of the almost $10M allocated for screen culture in Queensland $82,000 (0.8% of the budget) is allocated to screen culture events, like the Gold Coast Film Festival, which received $10,000 for the 2012 Gold Coast Film Festival. We also received the same amount for the 2009, 2010 and 2011 film festivals. According to the SQ annual report 11 events share this funding. You may confirm the same for yourself at http://www.screenqueensland.com.au/about/reports.html , PAGE 11 .

Gold Coast Mayoral Candidate - Tom Tate

While the film industry is alive and breathing here on the Gold Coast, no one can describe it as making the leaps and bounds that its potential has promised for so long. While part of the support for our screen culture here on the Gold Coast will always be from locals, the great potential for this cultural segment of our community is for the current plethora of cultural film events to reach "upwards and outwards".

We need to grow these events in depth, appeal and most importantly, exposure, to the national levels. That's how we create a sustainable screen events culture while providing a new reason for tourists to visit our city.

Council has a part to play in this and has been playing a big role thus far. Of course it should do more, it can do more and under my mayoralty, it will do more. I don't think creating gaudy and gimmicky floating screens is the solution. We have plenty of venues with sizes ranging from thirty seats through to the Convention Centre which can house thousands at such culture events.

We have plenty of outdoor venues and a few new locations that haven't been explored much as yet (e.g. Southport parklands). I believe "Content is King" and supporting our creative industries and the people within them is the key to growing this vibrant part of our city's culture. There is no magic bullet.

The city simply needs a person who understands the importance of the screen culture and events creative segment of our community and is willing to roll up the sleeves and help grow this part of the Gold Coast.

I have been for a long time Friends of the Arts Centre. I would not hesitate to help advance of the Gold Coast Film Festival.

www.tom4mayor.com.au

Gold Coast Mayoral Candidate - David Power

GCFF has been advised from David Power’s office that, David Power stood down as one of the Mayoral Candidates on Saturday 28th January.

As one of the originators of the Film Industry Taskforce for the Gold Coast I have always had a passion for film and the opportunities it presents our City both culturally and economically.

Along with Cr Jan Grew I supported the creation of the GC Film Festival in an attempt to bring the excitement of a City wide festival to the residents along with an opportunity to see cutting edge productions as well as more mainstream films. The growth has been most exciting but I think we can do more. One of my ambitions is to create 3 amphitheatres that can serve as outdoor theatres for the event and other cultural activities. This will help create bases in the North, South and central areas of the City for cultural events.

In addition I believe an opportunity exists to create a dedicated surf film theatre in a Surf Culture Museum at Kirra. This in itself will open up a permanent venue for surf culture films in an area that is the spiritual home of surfing on the Gold Coast. Whilst this is a niche market it is no less important than the opportunity to showcase and produce short films here on the Gold Coast. We need to better utilise our natural settings for film culture events. For instance, why not a heritage film night in the cane fields of Jacobs Well showcasing silent films in what is a unique and attractive setting. The success of Opera in the Cane Fields can be leveraged to promote this unique event.

We could even create a nature documentary category that is hosted in one of our rainforest reserves adjacent to one of our beautiful waterways. The opportunities are broad and we have a unique potential to link themes to actual localities so not only the marketing is enhanced but also the physical experience of the patrons.

I will continue to support these events and look for opportunities to expand and enhance them for our residents. After all a life without film is a life deprived.

www.davidpower4mayor.com

Gold Coast Mayoral Candidate - Susie Douglas

As the next Mayor for the Gold Coast I will continue to support the fabulous Gold Coast film industry and the GC Film festival. For the past four years as Chairman of Economic Development and Tourism I have been involved in many aspects of the film industry, from courting international film scouts, to attending interstate roadshows with Film GC to being a judge at short film competitions. As Mayor I will be instrumental in developing the Evandale Cultural Precinct which will include new cinemas, a 2000 seat lyric theatre and a 4000 sq meter art gallery and more.

I will ensure that sponsorship of the Gold Coat Film festival continues as it is set to become the preeminent youth and pop cultural festival in the Asia Pacific with the new cultural partnership of Supanova Pop Culture Expo. I will be wanting to use the GC Film Festival to showcase the city as we head towards the Commonwealth Games in 2018.

Growing the GC Film Festival will put us on the same page as Cannes and make us an even more appealing destination for the burgeoning film industry.

www.susiedouglas.com.au

Gold Coast Mayoral Candidate - Dean Vegas

As an Entertainer, I totally support your enthusiasm, efforts and passion to advance the film and entertainment industry.

As mayor, I would encourage more facilities and efforts to build the film industry on our Gold Coast.

There can be no controversy that the Gold Coast is probably the best venue for any budding film maker/producer as one of our greatest assets is the weather itself followed by magnificent scenery from the hinterland to our pristine beaches - not to mention our canals, estates and the beautiful skyline of Surfers Paradise.

As previously discussed, as mayor I would commit $10,000 out of my mayoral wage towards this very worthy cause.

www.deanvegasformayor.com

Gold Coast Mayoral Candidate - Keith Douglas

Having studied classical dancing to a professional level, I am well aware of the importance of the arts to society and the ever present challenges of securing the necessary funding. Our new Australian of the Year Geoffrey Rush has reminded us all of the need to patronise the arts.

Casey Siemer has presented a compelling argument for the ongoing and improved support of the Gold Coast Film Festival. If I am successful in my campaign to lead the city as mayor, I will look forward to helping Casey make the Festival bigger and better every year.

www.goldcoastmayor.com

Gold Coast Mayoral Candidate - Peter Young

Congratulations to the Gold Coast Film Festival for its amazing success and expansion in recent years. The film industry is an important one for the Gold Coast, showcasing not only our suitability as a venue for filmmaking but also the vast range of world class expertise and talent that resides here. I’ve been proud to support Council's backing of the festival and, if elected as Mayor in April, I’ll have an even greater platform from which to promote the local film industry, draw attention to the fabulous work already being done here, and to work on attracting to the Gold Coast the very best employment opportunities in the industry.

For further information about my vision for the Gold Coast film industry, please visit ...

www.peteryounggoldcoast.com

Gold Coast Mayoral Candidate - Eddy Sarroff

Film is –a core part of what it means to be a Gold Coaster. With over 75% of all Queensland production occurring here, we can truly claim to be an emerging City of Film. I am determined to support the Gold Coast Film Festival to do everything possible to cement Gold Coast as Australia’s premier destination for film and screen production.

As a Gold Coast City Councilor and Mayoral Candidate, I am very excited to see our community engaging in activities designed to foster filmmaking talent. With skilled professionals attracting international production to the Gold Coast it is bringing in investment and potentially creating hundreds of jobs.

As one of Queensland’s major cultural, tourism and learning attractions The Gold Coast Film Festival is an integral element in Gold Coast’s position as one of the state's truly creative cities.

My vision is for Gold Coast to be recognized internationally as a crucial and vibrant centre of film production and screen culture. As part of my Mayoral campaign I have sited events as one of my priorities and The Gold Coast Film Festival is a significant event that will receive my full support.

eddysarroff.com