In this unprecedented, fractured year for Australian cinemas, finally enough Aussie films have been released to compile the top 10 titles.
Exhibitors have renewed calls to address the challenges facing most Aussie films in the crowded theatrical market.
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.
The 18 Australian films and feature docs released in cinemas since the start of the year, plus holdovers, have racked up a modest $14.3 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.
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.
The Australian titles released in cinemas this year including holdovers will overtake the calendar 2017 total in the next week or so, boosted by Bruce Beresford’s Ladies in Black.
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?”