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The New York Film Academy (NYFA) will establish a Gold Coast campus for its screen acting and writing program in a massive boost to Queensland’s film and television industry.

Premier and Minister for Reconstruction Anna Bligh said the training facility in a yet-to-be-released Gold Coast location was a vote of confidence for the local film and television industry.

“The Gold Coast is Queensland’s home of film and television production and NYFA’s investment here on the Coast cements our standing as a location of choice for film and television producers right around the world,” Ms Bligh said.

“NYFA’s decision to establish itself in Queensland is testament to our success in film production over the past five years, with such films as Narnia and Sanctum providing more than $443 million in investment and 4,800 jobs to the Gold Coast economy,” Ms Bligh said.

“Queensland’s global reputation for film and television production is built on the diversity of our filming locations, leading production crews, acclaimed visual effects companies, and world-class production and post-production facilities.

“NYFA’s presence in Queensland will further raise our profile as a competitive location destination for the film, education and tourism industries.”

Ms Bligh said the NYFA would also establish a second campus at the Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT) Creative Industries Precinct to offer students a behind-the-camera film training program.

“NYFA is a fully accredited film production and screen acting and writing college which attracts around 6,500 students each year,” she said.

“Securing investment from such a prestigious creative industries education provider is a major coup for Queensland and our world-class creative industries sector.

“Up to 15 new jobs will be created from the two new campuses, including locally employed lecturers, management and technicians.

“Direct capital expenditure of about $1.5 million is expected for state-of-the-art production equipment, while considerable flow-on benefits are also expected from the tourism and international student markets.

“NYFA already has two campuses in the United States and one in Abu Dhabi, and has decided to expand its facilities to Queensland to service the growing Asia-Pacific region.”

Ms Bligh said Trade and Investment Queensland, the Gold Coast City Council, and QUT had all played an integral role in securing NYFA’s investment in Queensland.