Screenwest, the Western Australian screen agency, has secured a record-breaking A$10.7m (NZ$11.4m) funding boost for 2024/25, courtesy of the state government’s Lotterywest program.
The new allocation surpasses last year’s unprecedented A$9.2m grant and aligns with the state’s strategic focus on strengthening its screen sector and fostering local content development.
Over more than 30 years, Lotterywest has provided Screenwest with over A$160m in funding. As Australia’s only state-owned and operated lottery, Lotterywest uniquely reinvests all its profits into community initiatives.
Screenwest CEO Rikki Lea Bestall highlighted that the additional funds would enable the agency to support four to five extra screen projects in the coming year while advancing storytelling opportunities for new and diverse voices.
Western Australia’s Minister for Culture and the Arts, David Templeman, affirmed the state’s dedication to the screen industry, stating: “This A$10.7m grant from Lotterywest will significantly enhance the presence of Western Australian content on our screens. Coupled with the construction of the A$233.5m Perth Film Studios, our commitment to this sector is unwavering.”
