19 May 2026

Gold Coast named among world’s leading screen cities at Cannes Awards

The Gold Coast has been recognised as one of the world's leading screen destinations, as the only highly commended finalist in the City of Film category at the 2026 Global Production Awards in Cannes, France. 

Announced overnight during the Cannes Film Festival, the recognition places the Gold Coast among an elite group of global screen cities celebrated for their creative and commercial success in attracting, supporting and delivering film and television productions. 

The Gold Coast was named a finalist alongside AlUla, Calgary, Gothenburg, Tampa Bay, Toronto and Zagreb. 

The City of Film category recognises cities whose recent work has helped deliver outstanding outcomes for filmmakers, while developing local skills, building industry expertise and contributing to the economic and cultural life of the city. 

The recognition follows a major period of screen production activity for the Gold Coast. Recent Gold Coast-supported productions have generated more than $316 million in local production expenditure and supported more than 3,800 local jobs. 

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the international recognition reinforced the city's reputation as Australia's screen production powerhouse. 

"This is a proud moment for the Gold Coast and a powerful endorsement of our screen industry on the world stage. This is what happens when a city says yes to bold ideas," Mayor Tate said. 

"Being recognised alongside some of the world's most exciting screen destinations shows how far the Gold Coast has come. We have the locations, the facilities, the crew, the incentives and the city-wide support for major international productions to land here with confidence.

"And we are investing heavily to more than double our studio capacity after signing off on a funding deal with international operator Shadowbox Studios and increasing post production, visual effects, gaming and technology facilities at our Miami Arts Depot project.“ 

Recent Gold Coast-supported productions include Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2, The Bluff, Anaconda, Eden, Nautilus, Good Cop / Bad Cop, Black Snow Season 2, How to Make Gravy, Rock Island Mysteries Season 3 and Dangerous Animals. 

Among the major productions cited in the city's Global Production Awards submission for the period from September 2024 to March 2026: 

• Nautilus - 1,357 local jobs
• Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2 - 400 local jobs
• Anaconda - 310 local jobs
• The Bluff - 622 local jobs 

Mayor Tate said the figures demonstrated the broader economic value of attracting screen production to the city. 

"This recognition is about far more than beautiful backdrops," Mayor Tate said. 

"It recognises the jobs being created, the local skills being developed and the long-term economic value screen production brings to our city. 

"Every production that chooses the Gold Coast creates opportunities right across our economy, from local crew and accommodation providers to hospitality venues, transport operators, construction teams, post-production specialists and creative businesses." 

The city's screen ecosystem draws on internationally recognised crew, fast-tracked film permitting, location scouting support, production concierge services, financial incentive guidance and globally competitive infrastructure, including Village Roadshow Studios, the largest studio complex and film production facility in the Southern Hemisphere. 

The Gold Coast Film Commission, through Invest Gold Coast, manages the city's Production Attraction Program and Incentives on behalf of the Council of the City of Gold Coast. As Australia's first local government film commission, it supports local and international productions with financial incentive guidance, location scouting, permit pathways, crew introductions, government connections and practical on-the-ground production support. 

Mayor Tate said the finalist recognition also reflected the city's long-term investment in workforce development and industry growth through infrastructure investment. 

"The Gold Coast is not just attracting productions - we are building the future workforce behind them," Mayor Tate said. 

"Through partnerships such as the Screen On-Boarding Program with TAFE Queensland, we are helping people with transferable skills step into screen industry careers and strengthening the crew base needed to meet growing global demand. 

"This recognition belongs to the producers, crew, creatives, businesses and industry partners who continue to make the Gold Coast one of the most production-ready cities in the world." 

The Gold Coast continues to build momentum across screen infrastructure, production attraction and major industry events, hosting key screen calendar moments including the AACTA Festival, Gold Coast Film Festival, SCREEN FOREVER, the Australian International Movie Convention and the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. 

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Notes to media: The Global Production Awards are held in Cannes, France and celebrate outstanding work across the international film and television production sector. The City of Film category recognises a city whose recent work has helped deliver for television and filmmakers, while developing local skills and expertise and boosting the local economy.