Victoria’s screen sector continues to demonstrate global leadership, with homegrown company XM2 becoming a key player in high-end cinematography and advanced camera systems for the film and television industries.
Photo: XM2 drone capturing footage
Supported by the Victorian Government through the Victorian Screen Rebate, XM2 has transformed from a local startup into a globally recognised enterprise with operations in major creative centres including London and Los Angeles. The company is renowned for developing cutting-edge aerial and remote camera technologies that have featured in some of the world’s largest productions – including Mission: Impossible, Star Wars, James Bond, and John Wick.
Notably, XM2’s systems were behind the iconic motorcycle cliff jump in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, filmed using proprietary camera and drone technology developed in Melbourne. The company has also delivered key services for a range of local and international productions made in Victoria such as Foe, Shantaram, Ride Like a Girl, and the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man – the largest film production in Victorian history, generating nearly 3,000 jobs and injecting $142 million into the state economy.
Through strategic investment in screen incentives and infrastructure, Victoria continues to attract a robust pipeline of international productions. Recent attracted projects XM2 has filmed locally include War Machine, The Dispatcher, The Mongoose (starring Liam Neeson), and All Her Fault (starring Sarah Snook).
A platform for innovation and export growth
XM2 was founded in Melbourne and we’re proud to be working around the globe with technology that was designed, build and operated by our in-house team. As an Australian company with innovation at the forefront, we have made a definite impact on the global stage.
Stephen Oh – CEO and Founder, XM2
XM2 exemplifies the kind of innovative, export-oriented business that thrives in Victoria’s screen ecosystem. In addition to its contributions to major productions, XM2 technology is now being applied across a range of application, including telecommunications, environmental and emergency services. In one recent example, the company worked with Parks Victoria to adapt its drone technology to deliver food and monitor endangered wallabies during bushfires in the Grampians in western Victoria.
This cross-sector innovation, combined with Victoria’s globally competitive rebate programs and talent base, continues to position the state as a magnet for screen production and investment. Industry leaders including Framestore and Wētā FX have established operations in Victoria, underscoring the state’s growing role as a global hub for VFX and animation.
Why investors are paying attention
- Government-backed support: The Victorian Screen Rebate provides strong incentives for production, post-production and visual effects, with flow-on benefits to local suppliers and SMEs.
- Global market validation: XM2’s presence on blockbuster franchises showcases the global competitiveness of Victorian-developed technology.
- Talent and infrastructure: Access to highly skilled technical teams, supported by a pipeline of international productions, fuels ongoing innovation and scale-up opportunities.
- Cross-sector diversification: Companies like XM2 are expanding their technologies into adjacent industries — opening up new export pathways and investment potential.
Victoria’s screen industry is more than just entertainment — it’s a launchpad for next-generation technology and creative innovation with global commercial impact.
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