Malaysia – Australia film co-production treaty comes into force

A new co-production treaty has come into effect between Australia and Malaysia, which is expected to increase the number of film, TV and commercial projects between the two countries.

The Australian government says this formal connection will pave the way for more Australians to work and connect with the growing Asian industry and opens access to large audiences.

Malaysia’s communications and multimedia minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah responded: “I hope this joint venture will continue to strengthen strategic partnerships in film production, enhance the quality and quantity of film production, encourage skills development in local production and enable cultural exchange and production creativity between Malaysia and Australia.”

Once a project qualifies as a co-production, it opens access to government funding in both countries and enables productions to count towards local content quotas.

Malaysia is growing in popularity as a filming location, for both local and international productions and co-productions. One of the major attraction points is the Iskandar Malaysia Studios, which offers state-of-the-art stages, TV studios, water tanks and post production facilities.

“Iskandar Malaysia Studios welcomes the announcement of the Australia - Malaysia co-production treaty. We look forward to connecting and hosting production opportunities between the two nations,” Antony Tulloch, general manager, studios operations, told KFTV.

Australia is also proving an extremely popular shooting location for both local and international projects, including Amazon Prime and Hulu drama series Nine Perfect Strangers, starring Nicole Kidman, Netflix comedy God’s Favorite idiot, Ron Howard’s Thirteen Lives and Ticket to Paradise, starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts.

Several new studios in the country are also being planned or built, including a $400m complex in New South Wales backed by Russell Crowe, Screen Queensland Studios in Brisbane, Byron Studios in Northern Rivers, and the proposed $100m WA government-backed film hub on Fremantle’s Victoria Quay.