Red Hill Movie Shines Spotlight on Regional Victoria

The breathtaking landscape of Victoria’s East Gippsland region will be in the spotlight this month as Omeo hosts a special screening of RED HILL on Thursday, 18 November.

RED HILL, filmed in and around the old goldmining town of Omeo in Victoria’s stunning high country, comes from writer, director and producer Patrick Hughes and producer Al Clark. It was supported by Film Victoria through the Regional Location Assistance Fund.

CEO Sandra Sdraulig said Film Victoria was delighted to support the film through the Regional Location Assistance Fund. “RED HILL is yet another production providing significant cultural and economic benefits to the communities of regional Victoria,” she said.

“RED HILL spent more than $250,000 on the regional shoot, with more than 40 local companies engaged on the project. This is a great example of how filming can benefit local communities.”

RED HILL tells the story of Constable Shane Cooper, a young Melbourne police officer who relocates to a small town. When news of a prison break causes panic amid the ranks, Shane’s first day on duty turns into a nightmare of revenge and redemption. Starring Ryan Kwanten (True Blood) and Steve Bisley (Max Max), RED HILL hits Australian cinemas on 25 November through Sony Pictures Releasing.

RED HILL’S writer, director and producer Patrick Hughes said Film Victoria’s Regional Location Assistance Fund and the generosity and enthusiasm of the local community were invaluable. “Filming in Omeo brought immense value to our production, and really helped us capture the spirit and atmosphere we wanted for the film. It’s an extraordinary town and the community really got behind us and offered a lot of support throughout the shoot. They really embraced it.”

Ms Sdraulig continued, “Locally made productions such as RED HILL showcase the diverse landscape regional Victoria has on offer. Through the Location Victoria initiative, councils such as Omeo in the East Gippsland Shire collaborated to develop the Film Gippsland website, promoting the region for further production opportunities.”

All of Victoria’s 48 provincial councils have collaborated to develop seven film attraction websites and many now have film policies or guidelines. Since 1999, more than $19 million has been generated for regional Victoria through production activity and 500 full time equivalent job opportunities created for regional Victorians. Recent productions filmed in regional Victoria with the assistance of Film Victoria include SUMMER CODA, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK, THE KILLER ELITE and THE CUP.

For more information about Victoria’s spectacular filming locations, visit www.filmmelbournenow.com. For more information on Victoria’s Gippsland region, visit www.filmgippsland.com.au