Help put the focus on Australia’s unique cinematic locations
Places are at the heart of Australia’s most memorable films. They shape the stories we tell and help define what makes Australian cinema unique. Yet, the impact these places have on audiences is often overlooked.
From deserts and coastlines to suburbs and cities, Australia’s landscapes act as silent characters on screen. They hold meaning, create atmosphere, and give each film its distinct sense of place.
As part of this project, Dr Shaun Wilson of RMIT’s School of Design is creating a feature-length film that revisits some of Australia’s most iconic screen locations. These include Frankston (On the Beach), Little River (Mad Max, The Dressmaker), Silverton (Mad Max 2, Razorback), Broken Hill (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Wake in Fright), Hanging Rock (Picnic at Hanging Rock), Apollo Bay (Quigley Down Under, The Cry), and Bonnie Doon (The Castle).
Copyright Shaun Wilson, Silverton NSW, Mad Max 2 filming location
By returning to these places, the project aims to show how strongly landscapes shape our experience of Australian film. It highlights the role of place as more than a backdrop – placing it at the centre of how we understand story, identity, and culture on screen.
Your contribution will help bring this film project to life by enabling vital research and production across Australia’s most iconic screen locations. It will ensure that stories shaped by place continue to be shared with new audiences, while also supporting emerging filmmakers and researchers who are developing their craft.
Please help us preserve the cultural importance of these landscapes and strengthen the future of Australian cinema.
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