The Tasmanian Government is a proud supporter of the ABC comedy series Rosehaven, and it is my pleasure to welcome the creators and stars, Celia Pacquola and Luke McGregor, back to the state tonight to premiere the first two episodes.
The Government, through Screen Tasmania, invested $450,000 into the series alongside co-financiers the ABC and Screen Australia, with 90 local cast and crew employed and $1.8 million injected into the local economy.
Tonight’s premiere will be attended by the producers, the ABC, cast, crew, and VIPs, and it will be very exciting for all involved to see the end results of their hard work.
A number of Tasmanians including Katie Robertson, Kris McQuade and Noela Foxcroft have lead roles in the series, and Screen Tasmania supported nine attachments for emerging Tasmanian filmmakers to get their first taste of a professional set.
The Tasmanian screen industry has had an extraordinary year and Rosehaven follows closely on from the success of The Kettering Incident, with these successes soon to be followed by feature films Lion and The Light Between Oceans, and animated series Fanshaw & Crudnutt and Little J & Big Cuz.
Tasmania will also play host to Jennifer Kent’s Nightingale in 2017, which is expected to spend $3.6 million in the state after the Tasmanian Government’s investment of $200,000.
The continuity of productions secured by the Government’s support makes it possible for skilled Tasmanian screen professionals to find ongoing employment in the state and gives ex-pat Tasmanians like Luke McGregor the ability to showcase Tasmanian stories around the country.
Rosehaven will screen on ABC from Wednesday 12 October at 9 pm.
Vanessa Goodwin, Minister for the Arts
