Media Release: Paramount+ First Australian Original Film Being Filmed In Canberra

Paramount+’s first Australian original film 6 FESTIVALS is currently shooting in Canberra after receiving support from Screen Canberra and the ACT Government’s CBR Screen Investment Fund. The film received major production funding from Screen Australia in association with Screen Queensland, and support from Gold Coast City Council and Sony Music Australia.

The production has spent 7 days filming in various areas in the region and will be aiming to wrap up early this week. This is the first of two visits 6 FESTIVALS has planned for the region. The production has employed 12 people from the local screen industry, making up 25 percent of the entire production crew, and has engaged a number of local extras and bit players as well.  

6 FESTIVALS is a coming-of-age Australian film written and directed by Macario de Souza and produced by local producer Shannon Wilson-McClinton and Sydney based producer Michael Wrenn with Jade Van Der Lei as the Queensland producing partner. The story follows a group of three best friends, Maxie (Rasmus King from BOSCH and ROCKIT), Summer (Yasmin Honeychurch from BACK OF THE NET) and James (Rory Potter from THE DRESSMAKER), who ‘bucket-list’ six music festivals over six months while coming to terms with a cancer diagnosis. Premiering next year, in cinemas and then streaming on Paramount+, 6 FESTIVALS will also feature an all-Aussie soundtrack, with cameo appearances from many contemporary Australian music acts.   

Monica Penders, CEO of Screen Canberra, says that supporting major productions to shoot in Canberra has a positive effect on the local industry.  

“We are working closely with the ACT Government to attract major screen projects to Canberra to create employment and development opportunities for the local industry,” says Monica.  

“When productions such as 6 FESTIVALS film in Canberra it has a flow on effect for the local economy. Not just by creating jobs for those within the screen industry, but also through the incoming crew spending with the accommodation, hospitality and retail sectors, where the production has already generated half a million dollars of economic activity locally. As we develop our appeal to national and international productions, we will see the impact increase.

“The ACT Government and Screen Canberra are committed to growing Canberra’s reputation as a destination for screen projects and will continue to build on the success of having major works, such as SECRET CITY, BLACKLIGHT, and TOTAL CONTROL, film in the ACT region.”