Hervey Bay the setting for new Australian movie 13 Summers as filmmakers seek new locations

A small, regional Queensland town is the latest to host a film production as Australian locations continue to attract local and international projects.

Hervey Bay on Queensland's Fraser Coast pipped the Sunshine Coast as the preferred location for 13 Summers, a new Australian thriller due out later this year.

Writer and producer Jeremy Stanford said, initially, the movie was going to be filmed in south-east Queensland.

"But we came up here and everyone has been so incredibly supportive.

"The Fraser Coast Council helped us out with some sponsorship, but they also connected us with the local business community."

The film, which stars actors Bec Hewitt and Georgie Parker, wrapped up production last month after crews spent three weeks in the regional town.

"It's about a couple who are going through some marriage trouble who come up for a holiday with friends," Mr Stanford said.

"The husband is a policeman and gets a bit suspicious, the wife gets a little bit interested in the young backpacker and he gets interested in her."

What's the appeal of regional towns?

Recent blockbuster film productions filmed in Australia — Thor: Love and Thunder and the multi-award winning Elvis biopic — included city locations.

But Screen Queensland's chief creative officer Dr Belinda Burns said regional towns were increasingly appealing to filmmakers.

"First and foremost, they're so unique and they're so beautiful," she said.

"It looks amazing. The beaches are pristine, the skies are blue, so they really pop on screen and they provide a perfect background.

She says a good example of a successful production out of regional Queensland is Black Snow.

"It launched at the beginning of the year, it's doing phenomenally well and it was shot in Proserpine," she said. 

Ms Burns said Australian locations were an attractive opportunity for international productions.

"Filmmakers are really seeking out something that looks different to other films that have come along before," she said.

Council's support brings opportunities

The Fraser Coast Council played a key role in attracting the production of 13 Summers to the region.

Mayor George Seymour said the filming had resulted in other opportunities.

"We supported it through Fraser Coast Tourism and Events and you'll see as a result of that quite a bit of collateral marketing.

"I think for the movie industry going forward, we would be a great location, whether it's the historical buildings in Maryborough, the country townships or the pristine natural environment.

"As a result of this one, we have already been approached by some other people with ideas and we're hoping they will come to fruition."

The Mayor even took part in the film featuring as an extra in one of the scenes.

"It is just great for us to be seen as a location that can do this," he said.

"People still have fond memories of when 'Subdivision' was filmed back here over 15 years ago with Gary Sweet and Brooke Satchwell.

"I'm really hopeful that 13 Summers will be viewed in a similar way as a great moment for the Fraser Coast and a strong sign that we can be a place for films in the future."

And that may become a reality, at least for Mr Stanford who plans to return to the Fraser Coast.

"Hervey Bay is a destination for filmmakers, however, part of me wants to keep it a secret," he said.

"We have two more projects we want to come up here and shoot and we don't want other people to start taking Hervey Bay away from us.