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Location. Camera. Action.

Geelong, Victoria, Australia offers a diverse and impressive natural landscape from the ocean to the bush.

Geelong Waterfront Film was established because we believe Geelong is on the cusp of becoming a vibrant Film Hub and we’re encouraging filmmakers to our region as well as supporting local talent.

The establishment of the Geelong Waterfront Film Foundation is a significant move towards this goal and will eventually offer financial assistance in the form of a grant to those filming in the region.

“I believe that the effects of Geelong Waterfront Film proposed projects, and future grant structure of the Foundation, will go towards fostering a strong, confident, diverse and potentially internationally recognised industry. The idea being proposed is uniquely brilliant, as it looks to support artists not at the end, when their films are made, but at the crucial start of their journey. ”

– Leigh Ryan, Pillowfort Creative Pty Ltd

We’re calling for local film enthusiasts and interested parties to become a “Friend of Geelong Waterfront Film” for a one-off $20 contribution.

Tax deductible donations can also be made below.

Help us put filmmaking on the agenda!

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Location. Camera. Action. Filmmaking in Geelong.

With its diverse and impressive natural landscape Geelong is destined for the screen. Urban areas, semi-rural landscapes and beautiful coastline see Geelong and surrounding areas as an ideal area for filmmaking.

Geelong’s affair with the silver screen began with 1959 sci-fi flick On the Beach, featuring scenes filmed in Corio’s oil refinery. But, perhaps the region’s most famous appearance was when a young Mel Gibson roared around the You Yangs in a black Ford Falcon GT for cult film Mad Max in 1979. Ghost Rider, starring Nicholas Cage, and The Dressmaker, starring Kate Winslet, were also shot in the region. More recently, Miranda Nation’s film Undertow and Erin’s and Luke Saliba’s Paper Champions, included scenes in or around Geelong.

However, to have a viable filmmaking industry in Geelong, we need to ensure more film and TV producers are knocking on our door. Not only that, we need to put the spotlight on local directors, producers, actors and other people in the industry. For filmmakers in the region, and there’s more than you think, this is huge and it’s exciting to think there might be a bigger future for this type of work.

The Geelong Waterfront Film project, initiated by Geelong Accountant, Mr Patrick Rowan is run by volunteers from local businesses and interested parties.

The vision BIG. We’re talking staging of a major Geelong Waterfront Film Festival and local film making Awards and the establishment of other platforms to showcase up and coming talent.

However, this BIG vision is long term and of course reliant on funding. In the meantime, here’s what’s currently happening:

Waterfront Film Foundation.

The Establishment of the Waterfront Film Foundation offers financial assistance in the form of a grant or investment to those filming in the region. One of the things we have found is producers scouting our region often approach local investors for financial assistance. When sufficiently funded, grants through the Waterfront Film Foundation will attract industry participants to Geelong. Local filmmakers will also be able to approach the Foundation for assistance so more local work can be showcased.

The Treasurer and the Minister for the Arts recently approved the addition of the Waterfront Film Foundation to the Register of Cultural Organisations (ROCO). Why is this significant? It means the foundation can receive tax deductible gifts.
A formal Board is currently being established for the Foundation and will be announced soon.

Let’s see who’s out there. Filmmaker & related parties database.

Recently, the Foundation received a small Grant from the City of Greater Geelong to establish a local database of filmmakers and those in the industry from directors, to lighting specialists, actors, to animators to sound engineers. If you’re in anyway related to Geelong’s filmmaking industry, pop on there. We want to see what you’re up to and you never know what collaborations and opportunities may arise.

Filmmakers and related parties are invited to join the database which will be made public on this website.
To be added to the database, please Email: belinda@bwellconnected.com.au
All we ask in return is that you join as a “Friend of Geelong Waterfront Film” for a one-off $20 contribution.

How can you help?

As the Foundation has just been established, it will be some time before major financial assistance is available to filmmakers. In the meantime, the Foundation is asking for public support in the form of a tax-deductible donation or joining as a “Friend of Geelong Waterfront Film”.

A BIG thank-you to businesses, individuals and artists who have already contributed, no matter how small.

We call for local film enthusiasts and Interested parties to become a “Friend of Geelong Waterfront Film” for a one-off $20 contribution.

Tax deductible donations also can be made below.

FRIENDS OF Geelong Waterfront Film

The best way to keep up-to-date is by becoming a Friend of Geelong Waterfront Film for a one-off payment of $20.

Step 1 – provide us with your details so we can pop you on our database once we have received your payment

Step 2 – Pay your $20

You will need to make a payment directly from your bank account into ours. At this stage, we cannot accept credit card payments.

Direct deposit:

Account Name: Waterfront Film Foundation General Account
BSB: 633 000
Account Number: 175 352 566

Reference: Your Name

* Your $20 donation goes towards the running of the foundation. Please note, this is NOT tax deductible. By becoming a friend of Waterfront Film, you agree to receive communications from time-to-time. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Donate

A gift donation goes directly to the Waterfront Film Foundation Public Fund which will be used to support filmmakers in the form of grants. Gifts over $2 are tax deductible.

Step 1 – complete this form so we can issue a Tax Receipt once we have received your payment

Step 2 – make your donation payment

You will need to make a payment directly from your bank account into ours. At this stage, we cannot accept credit card payments.

Direct deposit:

Account Name: Waterfront Film Foundation Gift Account
BSB: 633 000
Account Number: 175 352 582