Cameras roll from Monday 25 July 2011 when one of Australia's hottest directors returns to Queensland, Arts Minister Rachel Nolan announced today.

"Queenslanders welcome back PJ Hogan who is on the Gold Coast to direct Mental, his first Australian film since Muriel's Wedding, which was partly shot in Queensland," Ms Nolan said.

"The 8-week shoot reunites PJ and actor Toni Collette, the star of Muriel's Wedding, a film that launched both of their careers on the international stage.

"The Bligh Government through Screen Queensland has invested $550,000 in the production of Mental, as well as providing scouting assistance for the film's locations.

"This is a valuable investment that will generate $7.3 million in Queensland production expenditure, employing over 250 Queensland cast and crew.

"Next week's commencement of principal photography for Mental is a fantastic way to start another financial year for production in Queensland, which continues to go from strength to strength."

Ms Nolan said four feature films were made in Queensland in 2010-2011 including the shark-attack thriller Bait 3D, the sci-fi Nazi-invasion film Iron Sky, the psychological thriller Undertow and a major historical epic Singularity.

"TV production was also strong with six productions filmed in Queensland, including the international Stephen Spielberg executive produced sci-fi series Terra Nova," she said.

"I look forward to announcing more exciting productions for Queensland in the coming months."

The script for Mental, written by PJ Hogan (My Best Friend's Wedding, Confessions of a Shopaholic), follows a crazy, charismatic hothead who transforms a family's life when she becomes the nanny of five girls.

Mental is produced by Queensland production company Story Bridge Films with LA-based Zucker Productions. Producers are Todd Fellman, Jocelyn Moorhouse and Jerry and Janet Zucker.

Mental is due for release in 2012.

Media Contact: Justine Scarff 0400 367 174