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Picnic at Hanging Rock returns home to Victoria

Media Releases  23 Dec 2016

The mystique of Hanging Rock will continue its legacy set down by Joan Lindsay's iconic story when the Macedon region provides a backdrop for the much anticipated mini-series Picnic at Hanging Rock.

A range of unique Melbourne and regional locations will feature in this iconic Australian story which is expected to bring more than $11 million into the local economy stimulating approximately 700 employment opportunities.

While Hanging Rock was featured in the 1975 film, the majority of the original production was filmed in South Australia.

Film Victoria secured this reimagining of Picnic to locate in its true setting of Victoria through Film Victoria’s Production Incentive Attraction Fund (PIAF), which encourages international and interstate productions to shoot in Victoria, bringing additional production expenditure and employment to the state to compliment levels of local production.

The mini-series, produced by FremantleMedia for Foxtel, will also provide valuable skills development opportunities for two early career Victorian female directors who will be attached to the project to observe the production process.

Expressions of Interest are now open for the Director placements which is available through Film Victoria’s Key Talent Placement program and will take place over 6-9 weeks during the production. 

Film Victoria CEO, Jenni Tosi said “We’re delighted that Victoria’s diverse and stunning locations have secured this high profile drama production from FremantleMedia.

“The two female director placements on offer builds on Films Victoria’s track record in recognising the value of women in the screen industry and the importance of ensuring they have access to development and progression opportunities in the industry.”

Casting is underway for the mini-series which will begins shooting in February 2017. The series is a highlight of Foxtel’s drama slate in 2017.

Film Victoria has been actively engaged in conversations with the Australian Directors Guild, Foxtel, Fremantle and Screen Australia regarding the concerns about the engagement of an international director for the project. Whilst the nationality of Directors is not applicable to Film Victoria’s PIAF program, in this instance Film Victoria was able to influence the selection of Victorian Director Michael Rymer to the production in addition to securing the two Director Placement opportunities.

Film Victoria’s CEO Jenni Tosi said “The addition of a third Australian female to the directing team on Picnic is a terrific example of the collaborative and co-operative spirit that exists between screen agencies, Guilds, businesses and broadcasters here in Australia. We’re delighted this matter has been resolved and we look forward to the production enjoying great success with audiences at home and abroad.”

Applications for the female director placement opportunities, close at 5pm, Friday 6 January 2017.