Crafty Apes, the visual effects studio behind some of Hollywood’s biggest productions, is heading Down Under. The company has officially opened new offices in Australia, extending its global footprint across North America, Europe, and now Oceania. With supervisors and leadership already on the ground, the move positions Crafty Apes to capture surging production demand in two of the world’s fastest-growing VFX hubs: Sydney and Adelaide.

The expansion reflects both strategic timing and market opportunity. Australia’s VFX ecosystem has exploded in recent years thanks to strong government-backed incentives, consistent international production pipelines, and a formidable pool of artists. For Crafty Apes—now marking 14 years in business—the region offers the ideal mix of talent, flexibility, and cost-efficiency.

A Strategic Bet on Australia’s VFX Boom

CEO Alana Newell emphasized a personal and professional connection to the region. “Having spent a decade of my career in Australia, I am excited to open our doors here and continue our mission to deliver world-class visual effects for our clients worldwide,” she said. According to Newell, the combination of world-class artists, modern facilities, and competitive tax credits makes Australia a natural next step in the company’s growth plan.

Australia’s New South Wales and South Australia territories offer some of the world’s most generous VFX tax credit programs. These incentives are designed to attract premium international productions and support long-term investments in local post-production infrastructure. For studios like Crafty Apes, these programs aren’t just a bonus—they reshape cost models, expand hiring pipelines, and accelerate global scalability.

Leadership With Local Roots

The Sydney office will be led by Dave Morley, who also steps into the role of Executive Creative Director for Crafty Apes. Morley’s return to Australia marks a full-circle moment in a career that has included supervising Vancouver (the company’s largest facility) and working show-side with director Paul Feig on projects including A Simple Favor 2 and The Housemaid.

“It’s incredibly exciting to be part of establishing our presence in Australia,” Morley said. “Returning home to work alongside old friends and colleagues and injecting fresh energy into the vibrant Australian VFX scene fills me with immense pride.”

Morley’s new role includes creative look development for premium projects and mentoring Crafty Apes’ global network of VFX supervisors. His leadership is already paying dividends: the Sydney facility has secured several feature awards for titles currently shooting in Australia and abroad, with VFX work slated to begin in Q2 2025.

A Global Studio With Local Impact

Crafty Apes’ arrival is expected to create new opportunities within Australia’s rapidly maturing VFX industry. As global streamers and studios continue to shift productions to regions offering both quality and cost advantages, Australia is increasingly becoming a destination of choice. Crafty Apes’ presence adds another heavyweight to the competitive landscape, signaling strong long-term demand for talent and infrastructure across the region.

The company’s expansion underscores a broader industry trend: global VFX work is becoming more distributed, and regional ecosystems with strong incentives and deep skill pools are emerging as critical nodes in the production pipeline.

For Crafty Apes, the move is more than geographic. It’s a strategic investment in a fast-growing market—and a signal that the global race for VFX capacity is set to intensify.

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