Here’s the latest celebrity gossip and entertainment news from the world of stage, screen and television.
QUEENSLAND TAKES ON THE BIG SCREEN
Queensland is set to become the next big name in film production after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced four more productions to be started this year. Screen Queensland studios, which were built in 2015, made a big name for themselves with Thor: Ragnarok in 2017 and Godzilla vs Kong due to come out in 2020.
Both blockbusters were filmed throughout Brisbane and the Gold Coast attracting huge publicity and excitement around the two franchises. The four upcoming productions include a second season of the children’s program Bluey (a television series about an animated Blue Heeler pup and his family which has found international acclaim), feature film Heavens: A Boy and His Robot, horror feature Two Heads Creek and comedy feature Never Too Late. While not much has been yet revealed, the features are already in production in conjunction with two different studios and more news should be hitting our screens in the coming months. The movies are expected to bring in $15.2 million to Queensland and over one hundred jobs. Queensland beat out Victoria, NSW and Singapore to secure the productions and the move is likely to be indicative of securing even bigger deals in the future.
A FESTIVAL IS CALLING
It’s open season for festivals in Australia! This year’s Dark Mofo is running with the theme Dark and Dangerous Thoughts, and is ready to push all of your boundaries. Additionally, it has pulled in some stunning international headliners including FKA Twigs and Augie March, as well as popular home-grown acts like Briggs and Mike Parr. Parr, who last year buried himself under a road in Hobart for three days, is this year set to play blindfolded in a mystery location. The festival is stacked with annual activities most notably the Nude Solstice Swim (the hugely popular icy plunge) and the Dark Path: an art show where guests walk for 60 minutes through the black forest experiencing each piece.
Back on the mainland, the “mystery Aussie act” for Splendour has been announced! Sydney reggae fusion group Ocean Alley is to take the spot where they will perform among huge acts like Childish Gambino, Chance the Rapper, the Streets and Santigold. Tickets are all sold out but some companies are holding competitions on the low down so keep your eyes peeled. It looks like it’s shaping up to be a fantastic month for music lovers all round!
