Australian film industry on edge in wake of Trump 100 per cent tariff announcementBy Dominic CansdaleBy Danielle MaheABC Gold CoastTopic:Film Industry59m ago59 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:25amDonald Trump's social media post has sent chills through the Australian film industry. (AP: Charlie Neibergall)In short:Donald Trump has announced a plan to impose 100 per cent tariff on films produced outside of the US.Australian film industry figures are clamouring for more details amid fears a tariff would undermine jobs and investment.What's next?The federal government says it will stand up "unequivocally" for the Australian film industry.abc.net.au/news/trump-tariffs-gold-coast-film-industry-on-edge/105257136Link copiedShareShare articleUnited States President Donald Trump's proposed tariff on foreign-produced films would be a "kick in the guts" for efforts to turn the Gold Coast into a world-class movie epicentre, say industry leaders.On Tuesday, Mr Trump announced on Truth Social that the US would introduce a 100 per cent tariff on films "produced in foreign lands".He described incentives offered by countries to attract American film producers as "propaganda" and a "national security threat".Screen Producers Australia chair Kate Carnell said there were no details at this stage but such a tariff could devastate the Australian film industry."Where Australian producers and American producers work together and there's employment that is joint employment here in Australia, [that] would potentially go," she said."That's worth billions of dollars."Foreign film and television productions accounted for $768 million in expenditure in Australia between 2023-24.The Australian government offers a 30 per cent location offset for large-scale film projects and a 30 per cent offset for post, digital and visual effects.Actors Austin Butler, Chaydon Jay and Tom Hanks at the Elvis premiere on the Gold Coast. (AAP: Darren England)State governments also offer incentives.There are about 6,000 Queensland jobs in the sector, which Screen Queensland says generates about $500m per year for the state's economy.Gold Coast film composer Elliot Wheeler said there had been "consternation and confusion" about the tariff."We have such wonderful relationships here with so many of the American studios, and there's been so much infrastructure put in and so much investment put into developing those relationships," he said.Composer Elliot Wheeler says the implementation of such a tariff could have impacts outside Australia. (ABC Gold Coast: Dominic Cansdale)Mr Wheeler said there was a global network behind most major films."We can be working on a film that's financed and written in LA or New York, we can shoot it here, we can record the orchestra in London or Australia or Nashville," he said."We're just scratching our heads trying to understand what it means."A spokesperson said Screen Queensland was waiting for details before commenting.'30 year vision' uncertainInterest in the Gold Coast's film industry has surged in recent years, thanks to local blockbusters such as Baz Luhrmann's Elvis and DC's Aquaman.Other upcoming Gold Coast productions include Anaconda, featuring Jack Black and Paul Rudd, and Voltron, starring Henry Cavill.What we know about the movie tariffsPhoto shows A big fan, a helicopter, and a crane with lots of people standing around on a film set.US President Donald Trump is eyeing Hollywood for his next round of tariffs, threatening to target all films produced outside the US at a rate of 100 per cent.Last year, Gold Coast council announced a plan in partnership with US-based Shadowbox Studios to build a state-of-the-art production facility in the city's north that would include 10 sound stages and be worth about $195m to the local economy.Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the tariff announcement cast doubt on that "30-year vision"."It's a private-public partnership — if the private sector wants to pause, it will be paused," he said.Cr Tate said, despite the lack of details on how a tariff would be applied, it looked like a "kick in the guts"."It sends a message that you shouldn't film outside the USA, yet our facilities are world-class and we're trying to become even a better place to film," he said.The Village Roadshow Studios at Oxenford on the Gold Coast. (Supplied: City of Gold Coast)Ms Carnell said Australia was the fifth most preferred destination for US filmmakers, but also a big market by itself."It's the lucrative market and Australian producers need access to that market and those tariffs would make that very difficult," she said."The costs of production in the US aren't going to go down — if anything they'll go up, so the cost of film to consumers will escalate."Everyone's a loser here."Mr Trump made the tariff announcement on his Truth Social platform. (Reuters: Annabelle Gordon)Mr Trump has said he would meet with Hollywood studio representatives, but Ms Carnell said she imagined they would be saying "this is a really bad idea".Queensland Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek has "demanded" the federal government "take up the fight against any draconian tariffs".Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke said the government would be "standing up unequivocally for the rights of the Australian screen industry".Posted 59m ago59 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:25amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesDying lunch guest's 'extremely abnormal' blood test results raised hospital alarm, court hearsLIVEPhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtNationals deputy leader 'shattered' she will likely lose Senate seatLIVEPhoto shows Perin Davey listens to a press conference by Water Minister Tanya Plibersek at Parliament HouseWhat's causing an unprecedented and deadly disease outbreak in Queensland?Topic:Infectious DiseasesPhoto shows A middle-aged man wearing a grey singlet and beige cap sits in his backyard.Could Labor's thumping election win put tax reform back on the agenda?Topic:TaxPhoto shows A man sitting on a stage wearing a suit and tie.Liberal preferences may help elect Climate 200-backed independent who vows to end gasTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Kate Hulett and her supporters at an election night functionRelated storiesLocal film industry's future in doubt as Trump announces 'chilling' tariffsTopic:Film IndustryPhoto shows Donald Trump smiling while speaking at a black microphone and wearing a dark suit and blue tieAlbanese says he received 'very warm' phone call from Donald TrumpTopic:Foreign AffairsPhoto shows a middle-aged man wearing glasses pointingPM shrugs off Trump's 'throwaway comment' on Australia's efforts to callTopic:TariffsPhoto shows Donald Trump speaks while standing outside.Related topicsCoolangattaFilm IndustryMermaid BeachMoviesRobinaSouthportTariffsYatalaTop StoriesDying lunch guest's 'extremely abnormal' blood test results raised hospital alarm, court hearsTopic:Law, Crime and JusticePhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtNationals deputy leader 'shattered' she will likely lose Senate seatTopic:ElectionsWhat's causing an unprecedented and deadly disease outbreak in Queensland?Topic:Infectious DiseasesCould Labor's thumping election win put tax reform back on the agenda?Topic:TaxLiberal preferences may help elect Climate 200-backed independent who vows to end gasTopic:ElectionsJust InOne of music's biggest stars announces first Australian showTopic:Arts, Culture and Entertainment57m ago57 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:27amTrump's film tariffs throws Gold Coast vision into doubt, industry saysTopic:Film Industry59m ago59 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:25amHuni 'comfortable being me' ahead of momentous opportunityTopic:Boxing1h ago1 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 5:24amTeenagers clocked going 120kph on e-bike but no charges laidTopic:Electric Vehicles3m ago3 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 6:21amMore Just InBack to top