New thriller Blacklight to film in Victoria

2 November 2020 

The Morrison Government is providing $5.8 million under the Location Incentive program to shoot the new live-action feature film Blacklight in Victoria. 

Blacklight is an action-packed thriller starring Liam Neeson as a troubled off-the-books fixer for the Federal Bureau of Investigation who finds himself in middle of a deadly conspiracy while tasked with pulling undercover agents out of dangerous situations.

The production will commence filming in November in Melbourne and the surrounding areas, as well as on a soundstage using the latest immersive LED screen technology.

Federal Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the production is expected to inject more than $43 million into the local economy and will create over 500 local jobs for cast and crew, as well as 550 extras roles.

“Blacklight will bring momentum back to the Victorian screen industry which has been so heavily impacted by COVID-19,” Minister Fletcher said.

“During production, an estimated 350 businesses will be used across Victoria, with all post, digital and visual effects to be completed locally. These businesses will include industries hit hardest by the COVID-19 crisis, including transport, catering, hospitality, construction and tourism,”

Acclaimed director, Mark Williams, has made a commitment to use Australian talent across all levels of production. His recent work includes Honest Thief, which is currently the number one movie at the US and Australian box office, and is Co-Creator of the crime drama series Ozark.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to help jumpstart the production sector in Victoria after such a devastating year globally. We are grateful for all the support the Australian Government has afforded us as we launch production on an independent movie of this size, scope and star power, despite the challenges we face in this new world,” Williams said.

Blacklight is supported under the Morrison Government’s $400 million boost to the Location Incentive to create a pipeline of international projects, which will generate tens of thousands of Australian jobs in the screen industry over the next seven years.

For more information on the Location Incentive program visit: www.arts.gov.au/what-we-do/screen/australian-screen-production-incentive