North West takes starring role in film

The North West is set to feature on the big screen next year, with Chinese filmmakers Truly Sense Media scouting locations in Karijini, Tom Price, Port Hedland and Broome for their next film.

Pilbara: a Grand Adventure is an action comedy which will be co-produced with WA production company Legend Media Group and tell the story of a Chinese man’s extraordinary journey of becoming a mining tycoon through his friendship with an Aboriginal elder.

The two film companies entered into a co-production heads of agreement a month ago and some 71 per cent of the project funding required has already been committed.

The production team were in Broome on Sunday and will be travelling through the Pilbara this week, with production set to start in September.

Legend Media Group creative director Camille Chen said these visits by a high-profile delegation of Chinese media executives were a wonderful opportunity to introduce them to WA's unique environment and culture.

“It is both WA’s setting and skill base that continues to attract international filmmakers, as it provides for the delivery of world-class film projects,” she said.

“Pilbara: a Grand Adventure is targeted at a large global audience with a significant potential to attract Chinese and other international tourists to WA.”

The film is set to be released in August, 2020, by which time China is likely to have become the biggest film market in the world in terms of both box office and audience numbers.

“There are over 80,000 screens throughout China which this film will be shown on,” Ms Chen said.

“There is no doubt people watching this movie will be taken away by the beauty of the North West.

“It is really one of the most stunning places and viewers will want to see it themselves.”