Screen Australia has confirmed Australian films have surpassed the all-time box office record of $63.4 million set in 2001, as IF has reported.
With a total gross of more than $64 million, local films' share of the box-office is 6.8 per cent, the best since 2001.
Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason said: “It’s so wonderful to see Australian films connecting so strongly this year. The film industry is somewhat cyclical, so it is difficult to make claims based on one year’s results alone.
"However, it is also important to celebrate success when it comes along, and given that the theatrical landscape is more challenging than ever before, Australian films have well and truly over-performed.
"I think we’re on track for a particularly outstanding year – my prediction is that we’ll reach over $70 million by the end of 2015, setting a new benchmark.”
Mason continued, "As well as being the major funding agency, we’re also very personally invested in the films we assist in getting to screens. We often work closely with filmmakers over the many years it takes to refine concepts and scripts, resolve issues during production, get the best possible deals and support distribution and marketing efforts.
“We know first-hand just how resilient, patient and talented the Australian film industry is, and we’re proud to play a role in helping it thrive. This year we’ve seen enormous success across the entire screen industry encompassing film, TV and digital narrative content. And it’s a particularly big success given that distribution is in such a state of flux at the moment and the sector is facing significant challenges.”
Mason also noted the titles that have performed so well this year spanned a wide diversity of story types. He said, "I think this year’s films say something very interesting about what Australian life is like at the moment – what we care about and what our values are. We’ve seen films about nostalgia and heroism, good-humoured family larks, personal struggles and social conscience. In a year that’s seen a lot of turmoil, Australians have looked for stories that reflect their darker side as well as their care for social issues, and their need to laugh."
The top 10 Australian films for 2015 are:
1. Mad Max: Fury Rd: $21.65 million
2. The Water Diviner: $10.18 million
3. Paper Planes: $9.65 million
4. Oddball: $8.12 million
5. Last Cab to Darwin: $7.15 million
6. Blinky Bill: The Movie: $2.32 million
7. That Sugar Film: $1.71 million
8. Holding the Man: $1.14 million
9. Ruben Guthrie: $0.42 million
10. Manny Lewis: $0.41 million
Data as per the MPDAA’s report issued on October 6 which includes figures up to last Sunday.