AS part of a wider vision to create incubated work opportunities, expand into film and game production facilities and build affordable student accommodation, the Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE) has signed a 3[+3] year deal for ScreenACT to become Watson’s Canberra Technology Park’s newest tenant.

“We fully support AIE’s aspirations to develop Canberra Technology Park (CTP) into a legitimate learning and technology precinct. We want to be a part of that because part of our strategic vision is to create further opportunities for new paths to market for Canberra region film makers. Our re-location to CTP is a bold strategic move that has been unanimously supported by Screen ACT and the ACT Screen Industry Association board,” said Monica Penders, Director of ScreenACT.

John De Margheriti, who recently announced his intentions to make a significant investment into the local Canberra Community through a proposal to reinvigorate the current Canberra Technology Park buildings and to build student accommodation in a staged approach in consultation with the local community, said, “Being in a creative, commercial environment is fundamental to our growth. For a long time now we have recognised that our industries have great synergies and that there are opportunities for collaboration. We are uniting forces to bring our shared vision to life”.

As part of the deal, AIE is providing a combination of in-kind and cash support to ScreenACT to the value of $150,000 over a 3 year period. Screen ACT will take over the former AIE Incubator space at CTP which consists of 6 offices totalling over 120m2. They will also have access to training room facilities which will make it easier for them to coordinate industry initiatives such as workshops and project pods.

AIE’s planned improvements to the current facility include a green screen and sound stage. John De Margheriti has invested in a number of local films in 2014 and an announcement of a larger investment is imminent. John intends to continue to personally invest in high quality local films to strengthen the Canberra film-making community.