“I’m going to tell everybody, in this room, that we’re going to make films right here and we are going to try and turn Bunbury into a film capital.”
This declaration came from Shanghai Hippo founder Kerr Xu minutes before signing an historic memorandum of understanding destined to bring millions in creative investment and hundreds of jobs to the city.
The Chinese animation juggernaut joined Bunbury-based Vue Group, the state government and the City of Bunbury in signing the agreement as dignitaries from across the state watched on.
The agreement will facilitate the construction of a multi-million dollar state-of-the-art animated film studio in the heart of Bunbury, which is expected to train up to 300 students per year and employ 200 creatives.
A lot of people ask me ‘why Bunbury?’ I will answer that question to the honourable guests... you have the talent most importantly.
- Shanghai Hippo founder Kerr Xu
It will be the state’s largest film production studio.
During his speech Mr Xu said Bunbury had “everything” he could dream of in a studio location.
“A lot of people ask me ‘why Bunbury?’ I will answer that question to the honourable guests... you have the talent most importantly,” Mr Xu said.
He said Western Australia’s identical time zone to Shanghai and opposite seasons would make the city ideal for shooting live action film.
Minister for Regional Development Terry Redman visited Bunbury to mark the occasion.
In a closing speech Minister Redman said he looked forward to “this being the start of great things to come for the film industry in Western Australia".
“I think this is absolutely outstanding, to put on another industry rather than perhaps the ones we traditionally think about as opportunities and gives a diversity I think we need," Mr Redman said.
“[It] also allows us to have what is a beautiful part of the Western Australia come to the fore and play a very key role in the business to business relationship that is going to build and grow the economy in this region.”
The studio will aim to produce six to eight animated films per year for distribution in China and around the world.
Vue Group director Alan Lindsay told the Bunbury Mail he already had his eyes on a location for the studio and it would not take long to secure.
