Home / Arts and Entertainment / Matchbox Pictures Shut Down After 18 Years
Matchbox Pictures Shut Down After 18 Years
17 Feb
Summary
- Matchbox Pictures, a major Australian production company, is closing.
- Universal International Studios (UIS) cited shifting strategic priorities.
- The company produced acclaimed series like 'Safe Harbour' and 'The Survivors'.

Sydney-based Matchbox Pictures is shutting down after 18 years in operation, with Universal International Studios (UIS) citing a shift in strategic priorities. The closure marks the end of a significant era for the acclaimed Australian production company, known for international successes like the Netflix series 'The Survivors' and the International Emmy-winning 'Safe Harbour'.
UIS stated that while its commitment to Australia remains, its operating model is evolving. The company will now evaluate production opportunities on a case-by-case basis. This decision impacts Tony Ayres Productions, co-founded by one of Matchbox's original founders, Tony Ayres.
Matchbox, established in 2008, became a cornerstone of Australian screen production, earning multiple industry awards for its ambitious and locally voiced content. Its legacy is recognized not only through its celebrated programs but also through the many professionals who built their careers within the company, demonstrating that Australian stories can achieve global resonance.




