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Jan Cattoni tells a story familiar to many in the Far North, of having to leave home to pursue career ambitions.
She did high school in north Queensland, dreaming of a career as a film maker, but you couldn’t study it here back then, and Jan had to move to Brisbane.
“It was a long route. I went to Griffith University, became a film maker,” Jan tells Tropic.
“I returned to north Queensland with a few projects under my belt, but my career stalled.”
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Jan had a doctorate and lots of experience, but the small local film industry didn’t have enough work to go around.
Things have changed.
Local and international productions are being filmed in the Far North. There are local tertiary courses in film, and a studio is being built in a former Bunnings store.
Jan Cattoni is determined to make sure the industry keeps on growing.
The Cairns-based CQUniversity Screen and Film Lecturer is one of 10 industry advisors who will help shape and build film production in the region.
She’s been appointed to the newly formed Far North and North Queensland Screen Advisory Committee, which will meet for the first time this week.
“Our role will be to advise both Screenworks and Screen Queensland on moving forward with the development of the local industry.
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“The pandemic was a bit of a game changer because north Queensland was very COVID resilient at a time when not many locations were.
“We became very attractive as a location to shoot and there was lots of call outs for crew to support those productions.
“We’re still getting those productions, so one of the aims is to build up the capacity of the crews to support those.
“At the same time, we will develop our own north Queensland industry to make north Queensland stories.”
Jan says authentic local story-telling helps build communities and regional identity.
“Growing up as a teenager in north Queensland, we only heard stories about ourselves when there was a cyclone or a crocodile attack.
“We all need to see stories that reflect our lives.
“We have amazing locations, but we're more than that. There's also some great characters and great stories.
“One doesn't exclude the other. We can still have big productions come in, but it would also be great to see local stories being developed, and we are already seeing that.”
The film industry is going through a period of great change, and Jan says that creates opportunities for regional film makers.
“I want to help my students develop skills that mean they can stay in the region and earn a living.
“And I think regional film makers can have a global impact, there's no doubt about it.”
Main points
- New advisory committee meets this week
- 10 industry advisers have been appointed
- Goal is to boost the local film industry
