The Queensland Government and the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) have announced that they are to create a new film and television awards event to be broadcast across the world.

"We want to create an annual televised event to acknowledge the outstanding work of producers, directors and actors, and the cultural diversity of film and television production in the Asia-Pacific region," said the newly re-elected Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie. One of his strategies is to foster the creative industries in his state.

"There is a lot of work to be done because we are looking at broadcasting the awards ceremony to more than 50 nations, possibly making it the largest television event of its kind in the world."

ABU Secretary General David Astley said that over half of the world's features were made in the region yet there was no international ceremony that exclusively awards the highest achievements in production, scripting, acting and directing in what is the world's most populated region.

"It is proposed that eligible films and programs will come from a range of sources but particularly independent producers in countries such as Vietnam, Iran, Afghanistan and major film nations like India, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand," he said.

Queensland is expected to host the event for the first two or three years, with the inaugural awards event likely to be held in a couple of years. The ABU represents over 100 national radio and television broadcasters with an audience of over three billion people in 52 countries. It is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur.