Exhibitors have renewed calls to address the challenges facing most Aussie films in the crowded theatrical market.
The local feature films and feature documentaries released in cinemas in the first four months of this year, plus a few holdovers, have collectively grossed $32 million.
The records smashed by doco 'John Farnham: Finding the Voice' have proven that Australians will still come out in numbers to see local stories on the big screen, and there is significant optimism among exhibitors about the commercial potential of 'Force of Nature: The Dry 2'. However, broadly the year so far has been a very slow one for Australian films at the box office.
In this unprecedented, fractured year for Australian cinemas, finally enough Aussie films have been released to compile the top 10 titles.
Australian writers, producers, directors, funding agencies and distributors should ask one key question when evaluating feature film projects: “Does this warrant a theatrical release or is streaming a smarter option?”
Eighteen feature films and documentaries were released in Australian cinemas in the first quarter, including a handful that had limited exposure via Q&A screenings.
We're not even halfway through the year, but 2021 is shaping up to be a record-breaker for Australian films at the box office.
Mark Joffe’s 'Jimmy Barnes: Working Class Boy' was the only new Australian release to connect with mainstream audiences in August and already ranks as the second highest grossing local title since Leigh Whannell’s 'Upgrade' opened in June.