Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason today launched an issues paper on one of the hottest topics facing the screen industry: distribution for local feature films.
Graeme Mason
Speaking at the 37°South Market in Melbourne, Mason said: “We are in the middle of an incredible run of Australian productions and talent. In terms of box office, 2015 is shaping up to be a remarkable year.” He cautioned, however, that the industry, “should not let this great run obscure the reality. Local independent films are facing an increasingly tough, and crowded, marketplace. The benchmark for specialist film box office has been drastically lowered.”
Mason also noted that while traditional sources of revenue for lower budget titles were heading for the basement, digital distribution wasn’t (yet) stepping up to put reasonable money into filmmakers or funders’ pockets.
Screen Australia’s paper, Issues in Feature Film Distribution, outlines industry trends, with key data and analysis. It also provides recent case studies of some new distribution models that producers and distributors are trialling to help their films reach audiences. While recognising that theatrical release is still the main game for most films, Screen Australia is supporting innovative models and facilitating conversations with industry about this important set of issues.
