After being hosted in Melbourne for the past eight years, Australia’s premier event for screen industry professionals, Screen Forever, will return to Queensland in 2020.

Queensland Government and City of Gold Coast have secured a deal to host the annual conference, owned and run by Screen Producers Australia, for the next three years.

The event will bring more than 850 Australian and international screen practitioners to the region for three days.

Having been hosted on the Gold Coast between 2004 and 2008, Screen Forever is “natural fit for the region” according to Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.

“We’re very excited to attract this important event for the Australian film and television industry back to the Gold Coast,” he said.

“The Gold Coast’s film industry is thriving and we know events like this are where the deals get done.

“Having the big hitters in our city, seeing everything we have to offer as a film and television destination is invaluable.

“Delegates will discover our city’s world-class venues and state-of-the-art screen infrastructure and we look forward to delivering a year-round program of screen events in 2020 – the Gold Coast Film Festival in April, the TV Week Logie Awards in late June and SCREEN FOREVER in November.”

Screen Producers Australia CEO Matthew Deaner said the event provides a forum for discussion and debate on the issues and challenges that affect all screen businesses.

“The Gold Coast presents innumerable opportunities for independent screen producers and we are excited for our conference to contribute to this vibrant tapestry over the next three years.”