Wizards! set to create more than 500 jobs in Queensland

The Morrison Government continues to boost the Australian film sector with $3.6 million in funding for the new feature film Wizards! under the highly successful $540 million Location Incentive Program.

Wizards!, a production from Plan B and See-Saw Films with global distribution through A24, tells the story of two hapless beach-bar operators who get themselves into trouble when they stumble across stolen loot that they should have just left alone. The bulk of filming will take place in Queensland later this year, providing more than 500 jobs for Australian cast and crew, along with 350 extras.

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP said Wizards! was the 16th production to be drawn to Queensland by the Location Incentive.

“In Queensland alone, this successful program has now generated more than 11,800 jobs for cast and crew,” Minister Fletcher said. “In addition to the jobs it will create directly, the production is expected to utilise the services of 400 local businesses.”

The production is also supported by $1.183 million from the Queensland Government via Screen Queensland's Production Attraction Strategy.

Wizards! is produced by Plan B Co-Presidents Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner alongside Australia’s Liz Watts (Stateless, True History of the Kelly Gang, Animal Kingdom), with the screenplay written by David Michôd.

Liz Watts said, “After shooting his last two features in different parts of the world, we are thrilled to be bringing David Michôd’s next feature to Queensland with its wealth of talent in its cast and crews, as well as enviable locations, made possible with the extremely valuable support of the Federal Government.”

To date, the Morrison Government has distributed more than $410.3 million under the Location Incentive, to attract 35 international productions to Australia, generating more than $3 billion in private investment, providing more than 22,500 employment opportunities for local cast and crew, and creating work for over 30,300 businesses that support these big productions.