RSP winner of Australian export award

South Australia’s Rising Sun Pictures named 2024 Australian Exporter of the Year

Rising Sun Pictures is the 2024 Australian Exporter of the Year following its pioneering work bringing Hollywood blockbusters to life. Rising Sun Pictures was awarded Australia’s top export award and named the winner of the Australian Export Award for Creative Industries. The Adelaide-based company has been bringing cinematic experiences to life for almost three decades and its silver screen credits this year include The Fall Guy, Deadpool and Wolverine and Harold and the Purple Crayon.

Rising Sun Pictures boasts a team of more than 400 artists and supervisors across its Adelaide and Brisbane studios and its expertise is increasingly sought after by Hollywood studios and streaming giants.

“At Rising Sun Pictures, we aim to leave a lasting legacy of innovation and creative excellence,” President Jennie Zeiher said. “We have always been at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of visual effects, serving as true creative partners to filmmakers worldwide.”

Since its establishment in 1995, Rising Sun Pictures has demonstrated Australian creativity and ingenuity and today, it uses advanced technologies such as machine learning to enhance the quality and efficiency of its visual effects. The studio’s proprietary REVIZE™ technology merges machine learning with artistic expertise, significantly reducing the time required for visual effects production. With demand increasing for high-quality visual effects, Rising Sun Pictures' creative and technical solutions have made it the vendor of choice for major studios, including Warner Brothers, surpassing major artificial intelligence companies.

“Our pioneering work in this area has garnered attention from major motion picture studios and other visual effects companies,” Zeiher said. “This has led to a steady stream of projects.” In 2023, Rising Sun contributed to 23 film and series projects and more than half of these had a machine learning component, while the studio has also just completed its 20th project utilising REVIZE™ technology.

Recent film and television credits include The Marvels, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Elvis and Ford v Ferrari.

Rising Sun Pictures nurtures the next generation of visual effects artists through a partnership with the University of South Australia to provide a pathway for graduates to become staff through unique on-premises training. “This not only enriches the industry but also ensures a continuous influx of new talent and innovative ideas,” Zeiher said.

The company’s next target market for export expansion is the UK. “While Hollywood remains the central hub for decision-making, we see significant potential in the UK,” Zeiher said. “Major studios like Warner Bros. and Netflix have established a strong presence there. In addition, the high-calibre tentpole films coming out of the UK align with our expertise.”

Creative Australia, sponsor of the Creative Industries category, said Australia’s creative entrepreneurs have gained a strong reputation overseas and reflect the country’s unique blend of cultures, artistic expression and innovation. “Australian artists and creative entrepreneurs are known for originality, diversity of practice, confidence, collaboration and professionalism,’’ Creative Australia CEO Adrian Collette AM said.

“Our creative industries strengthen our reputation as a sophisticated and creative nation. International engagement also ensures that Australian artists, and creative entrepreneurs benefit from substantial economic, cultural, and creative opportunities.”

Rising Sun Pictures is a previous Australian Export Awards winner in the Creative Industries category in 2019, the Arts, Entertainment & Design category in 2018 and a finalist in the Creative Industries category last year. “The Australian Export Awards is a valuable platform to showcase the quality and innovation that Australian companies bring to the world,” Zeiher said. “Being recognised not only strengthens our reputation but also showcases the impact of our work on a global scale.”

Now in its 62nd year, the Australian Export Awards is Australia’s longest running business awards program and celebrates the achievements of exporters and their contribution to Australia’s economic prosperity.

Exporters make a significant contribution to the economy, creating new jobs in major cities and regional towns for the prosperity of all Australians.
In 2024, there were more than 360 applications submitted across eight states and territories and 88 national finalists. Collectively, these finalists generated more than $7.8 billion in export earnings in FY2023/24 and more than half were classified as small businesses.

The Australian Export Awards are proudly presented by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) in partnership with State and Territory awards programs.