Led by Mad Max: Fury Road, The Water Diviner and Paper Planes, Australian films collectively have raked in $44.8 million at cinemas this year and 2015 is on track to rank as the best year for local cinema in the past 10 years.
Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason recognises the structural challenges facing independent films but does not subscribe to the view that this is a down year for Australian cinema.
There was a lull in Australian films released theatrically in June so the total grosses for local titles this year has ticked up to only $42.95 million.
Wayne Blair’s 'Top End Wedding' has edged past Shawn Seet’s 'Storm Boy' to rank as the highest grossing Australian film this year.
Australian films have raked in $13.7 million at the national box-office this year, a brighter start than the first four months of 2013.
Australian films are certain to sail past $70 million at the national B.O. next week helped by The Dressmaker.
The box office results for the Australian films and feature docs released in cinemas this year underline yet again the deep polarisation in the indie film market between the higher earners and the also-rans.
The good news for Australian cinema: Last year ranks as the third biggest ever for Oz films and feature docs released theatrically in the home market