The Minns Labor Government is setting the stage for a second major film studio in Sydney, opening a call for an Expression of Interest to find the location and industry partner to deliver the facility.
The EOI marks a significant step towards delivering the long awaited second film studio, supported by the NSW Government's $100 million capital investment.
The NSW Government is seeking to partner with the private sector to ensure NSW firmly remains the filming destination of choice in the southern hemisphere.
The EOI will be open to proposals on both private and government owned land. To support the process, there are three government owned sites that applicants may consider for their suitability to accommodate a world-class studio. These sites are in Bungarribee, Eastern Creek, and Prospect.
Other locations will also be considered as part of the EOI process where applicants can demonstrate evidence of landowner consent.
Opening on Monday, 9 March 2026 for eight weeks, the process calls for submissions to deliver and operate critical screen infrastructure. Requirements for conforming proposals are:
- Minimum of six sound stages
- NSW Government investment does not exceed allocated $100m Capital Contribution
- Greater Sydney Area location
- Evidence of capability and experience operating Screen Infrastructure
- Abide with NSW Government Supplier Code of Conduct
Proposals that vary outside this scope, including location, will be accepted and evaluated through the EOI process.
Submissions will be evaluated against the NSW Government's objectives to:
- Strengthen industry capacity by attracting international blockbusters and supporting local production;
- Create local jobs, and ensure NSW remains the nation's screen powerhouse;
- Proximity to the existing workforce and access to the Sydney CBD are a key requirement for proposals, as identified during market soundings.
International projects recently filmed and produced in NSW include Legendary Pictures' Street Fighter; Netflix's Apex, starring Charlize Theron, Taron Edgerton and Eric Bana; Apple Original Film's Greyhound 2, starring Tom Hanks and Stephen Graham; and Marvel Studio's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
For full details and to apply please visit the Screen NSW website.
Minister for the Arts, John Graham said:
"We are on the hunt for a permanent home for a second major film studio in Sydney, a location that will support long-term growth and create new job opportunities for the sector, support local stories, and attract international blockbusters to the state.
"Sydney is already a popular destination for international film production, with Greyhound 2 starring Tom Hanks currently in production, along with Street Fighter 2 and Apex, starring Charlize Theron, Taron Edgerton and Eric Bana, all recently produced here in Sydney
"Beyond Hollywood, there is large demand for Bollywood films in Australia, with Indian filmmakers continuing to use the visually striking look of Australia in their films.
"We know the demand is there, and there's a critical need for a more studio space. This call for Expressions of Interest to work with government to deliver a long awaited second film studio.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:
"NSW is the leading state for screen production in Australia, contributing over $1 billion per year to the local NSW economy.
"The $100 million capital fund gives industry confidence the NSW Government is here to support and co-invest, so we can continue to grow and develop a world-leading screen industry.
"This second film studio will create new job opportunities for the sector, support local stories, provide huge economic benefit and attract international blockbusters to the state. NSW is after all, the place for every story."
Producer and Founder Made Up Stories, Bruna Papandrea AM said:
"I couldn't be more excited about the prospect of new production infrastructure in New South Wales. Having filmed all over the world, I truly believe there's no better place to make film and television. If we want to attract both Australian and international talent and bring more global filmmaking back to Australia, investing in world-class studio facilities is essential. New South Wales offers the perfect combination of an incredible crew base and a place where creatives genuinely want to live and work."
Joint Founder and CEO of See-Saw Films Emile Sherman said:
"The support of the NSW Government to build new sound stage facilities in Sydney is great news for the New South Wales screen sector. This additional capacity will mean more jobs, more training and more investment from international and Australian productions as the lack of studio space has made it very challenging to shoot here. I'm looking forward to See-Saw Films bringing more films and television shows home to Sydney."
Background
- Sydney has a critical shortage of screen production space in Sydney, with the only major studio space in NSW located at Moore Park (Disney Studios Australia).
- The screen industry has indicated that the shortage of production space has resulted in NSW turning away major international and high-end local productions, which have gone interstate or overseas.
- In the three-year Screen and Digital Games Strategy, the NSW Government committed to meeting demand for production space. The second major film studio will ensure that NSW can continue to be the home of screen production in Australia, attracting investment and creating new jobs.
- The NSW Government is seeking businesses and consortia with demonstrated experience establishing and operating major film studios and other large commercial projects. Eligibility details are available through the registration process.
- Market soundings identified cost and availability of land in Sydney as the primary barrier preventing delivery of a large-scale commercial studio in Sydney.
- The NSW Government undertook investigations to determine the most suitable sites capable of accommodating a major film studio and meeting the objectives of the EOI. Identified sites were influenced by the feedback from the sector and studio operators engaged through earlier market soundings.
- Use of private land or other government sites has been included in the EOI process to allow respondents to consider other suitable sites, not identified by government.
- Non-conforming bids will be considered.
