Chairman of the Fiji Audio Visual Commission, Richard Broadbridge, today announced another high-profile film to shoot in Fiji.

“Chicane” a thriller, has commenced local pre-production and will begin shooting in the Mamanucas, Nadi and Serua/Namosi, from April 23, for five weeks.

“Although modestly budgeted in Hollywood terms, it is still significant investment as far as Fiji is concerned,” Mr. Broadbridge said.

The film is produced by film scions Dean and Harrison Zanuck from the illustrious Zanuck family, where they have been proceded in the business by grandfather and father Richard and Darryl, two of Hollywood’s famous movie titans.

“ I have a very safe feeling being in Fiji, everything looks just great, and I am very excited to be here,” said producer Dean Zanuck.

Mr. Zanuck said that if all goes well, this would be the first of a number of films he looks forward to bringing to Fiji in the future.

Mr. Broadbridge said that producers were attracted to Fiji by the FAVC because of the beautiful locations and the Tax Rebate incentive offered via the commission.

Meanwhile the new board of the FAVC had its first meeting last Tuesday, April 3.  The board consists of Mr. Broadbridge as chairman, the Permanent Secretary for Commerce, the Permanent Secretary for Finance, army spokesman, Major Neumi Leweni, and industry operator, Chris Caine.

At the meeting Mr. Broadbridge emphasized especially the importance of good governance transparency and accountability, and that there must be no conflicts of interest in the operations, of the commission.

He also looked forward to a good year for the FAVC where it is targeting to generate $60 million in new business.

Last year FAVC generated $179 million of new economic activity.  In the last five years since 2002, the commission has generated a total of $324 million of new economic activity including 7,000 new full-time equivalent jobs, from a total of government grant of $6.05 million.

“This is fantastic achievement by the FAVC and shows the earning potential of this industry at relatively low government investment.  The new board is excited by the challenges and the promise that lie ahead and we have every intention to take this new industry to greater heights,” said Mr. Broadbridge.