On behalf of the Hodgman Liberal Government, I would like to congratulate Saroo Brierley and his family, after the film based on his life, Lion, was nominated for six Academy Award nominations overnight.
I would also like to congratulate the production companies involved - See-Saw Films, Aquarius Films, and Sunstar Entertainment.
The film has captured the world’s attention with fantastic box office results and has picked up six Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Dev Patel, and Best Supporting Actress for Nicole Kidman.
The production was supported by the Government through the provision of on-ground production support and it showcases iconic Tasmanian locations to the world including kunanyi/Mount Wellington, Cockle Creek, Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsular.
This amazing story is taking Tasmania to the world and Tourism Tasmania has worked closely with Saroo to produce an online video to help promote Saroo’s home state, featuring clips from the film as well as Saroo explaining why he loves Tasmania. The video is available here - http://gobehindthescenery.com.au/things-to-do/the-lions-den/#.WH4GLhT2PR1
The Academy Award nominations follow others for Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, Directors Guild of America, BAFTA and Critics Choice awards.
It is fantastic to see a Tasmanian story projected onto the big screen across the world, and Lion’s continued success is a culmination of hard work on behalf of the Tasmanian Government and Screen Tasmania across recent years.
2017 is set to be another big year for the Tasmanian Screen industry with filming commencing on another feature film, Nightingale later in the year and the release of locally produced animations Little J & Big Cuz and Fanshaw and Crudnutt.