SCREEN FOREVER ANNOUNCES NEW DATES AND EXPANDED CONTENT MARKET Screen Producers Australia (SPA), alongside Principal Partner, the Queensland Government, through Screen Queensland, today announced new dates for the 36th edition of Australia’s flagship screen industry conference, SCREEN FOREVER, in response to the evolving COVID-19 situation in Australia.
The event will now take place on 28 – 30 March 2022. The conference will proceed as an inperson event at The Star Event Centre Gold Coast, with all necessary safety measures in place.
In order to accommodate the increasing international demand, the SPA Connect market will be expanded, with an international focused marketplace taking place digitally on 31 March – 1 April. This dedicated stream will allow delegates to participate in important pitches and roundtables at a time convenient to decision makers from around the world, without sacrificing participation in the social, networking and professional development opportunities available on the ground at SCREEN FOREVER.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Queensland Government is proud to support SCREEN FOREVER in recognition of the significant contribution the industry makes to the Queensland economy.
“Supporting the screen industry is a critical part of our Economic Recovery Plan and I am pleased to see SCREEN FOREVER return to the Gold Coast – home to so many domestic and international productions,”
– Premier Palaszczuk said.
“My Government’s recent $71 million screen industry budget boost includes investment in productions by home-grown producers as well as Hollywood heavyweights like Ron Howard, and is continuing to support the growth of a strong, sustainable local sector over the long term,”
– she said.
“After 18 months of continued uncertainty, content markets such as SCREEN FOREVER play a crucial role in the production ecosystem, facilitating the flow of creative ideas and the brokering of crucial co-production, financing and distribution deals,”
– said SPA CEO Matthew Deaner.
“The feedback we have received from industry is that there is a strong desire to conduct such deals in person, and with its award-winning cast, crew, and facilities, there is no better location for such an event than Queensland.
“However, the health and wellbeing of our delegates, staff and the wider community remains our number one priority. While we are saddened to not be reunited with our esteemed colleagues and friends this November, we look forward to re-connecting on the Gold Coast next March,”
– he said.
Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich supported SPA’s decision to reschedule the premier event to next year and reaffirmed the benefit of face-to-face connection.
