THIRTY young north Queenslanders are being supported to gain set-ready skills and movie industry credits as a result of the Queensland Government’s Far North Queensland Regional Community Forum, which meets for the last time for 2023 in Cairns today.
The forum is co-chaired by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Curtis Pitt, the Assistant Minister for Tourism Industry Development Michael Healy, and the State Member for Cook Cynthia Lui.
Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement Stirling Hinchliffe is also attending.
Forum member Aaron Fa’aoso was selected as a representative on the Far North and North Queensland Screen Advisory Committee supporting Screen Queensland’s multi-year $4 million North Queensland Regional Program.
This led to the launch in August 2023 of the Film Intensive Script to Screen (FISS) program which will support 30 young people in Far North Queensland to gain set-ready skills and industry credits across camera, costume, lighting, production, and locations.
Far North Queensland Regional Community Forum Co-Chair, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Curtis Pitt said the Far North Queensland Regional Community Forum members have brought great knowledge and insights to the forums.
“Aaron’s selection as the Far North and North Queensland Screen Advisory Committee presents a great opportunity for the youth in the region,” he said.
The Film Intensive Script to Screen program is an extraordinarily exciting opportunity for our local writers, storytellers, and film crew, especially those at the emerging level
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Curtis Pitt
“With the new studio development well underway in Cairns, participants are being perfectly positioned to build their skill sets to take advantage of the new job opportunities that will come with this expansion in Queensland’s screen industry.”
Economic diversification, with a focus on tourism and agriculture, housing accessibility and affordability, and reconciliation and the Path to Treaty are among the priorities of the Far North Queensland Regional Community Forum Action Plan.
Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement Stirling Hinchliffe said Far North Queensland is the perfect setting for young filmmakers looking to hone their skills and get a start in the industry.
“Telling unique Far North Queensland stories to the world, set against the backdrop of the region’s boundless iconic and spectacular landscapes, can help sell the Far North to international audiences as a holiday destination of choice,” he said.
Forum members will tour the Cairns Marine Precinct, visiting the Common User Facility site and visit the shipyards Norship, Austal and Tropical Reef.
Presentations include Queensland’s $89 billion Big Build, and an overview of the Regional Community Forum Action Plans.
The Far North Queensland Regional Community Forum is one of seven to be held in regional centres across the state, with similar forums for Central Queensland, Darling Downs South West, North and North West Queensland, Mackay Isaac Whitsunday, Western Queensland, and Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast.
The forum is the eighth and last for the 2022-23 members. Expressions of Interest for Far North Queensland residents who would like to participate in the 2024-25 series of forums can be made at Regional Community Forums | About Queensland and its government | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
Keep up with the latest news in Cairns and the Far North, and check out some of our top stories this week: People’s Cup could mean win for FNQ Hospital Foundation and Sibling entrepreneur duo take over Cairns events scene.