In a welcome move for industry, the Federal Government has backtracked on its decision to harmonise the Producer Offset for film and television, announcing on Sunday that the offset will remain at 40 per cent for theatrical features.
Australian feature films are currently dominating the box office, with exhibitors reporting a "revitalised" audience appetite for local stories. However, both producers and distributors have concerns about being able to actually get Aussie features off the ground in the future, with the Producer Offset slated to fall from 40 to 30 per cent from July.
It's a rare feat for an Australian film to break through to the top of the box office, let alone for two local titles to lead the weekend's rankings - but 'Penguin Bloom' and 'The Dry' have done just that.
While we were away: ‘The Dry’ performed for Roadshow; three Aussie projects were selected for Sundance; NITV updated its leadership team; ‘Sissy’ kicked off in Canberra and vale Susie Maizels, esteemed casting director.
Roadshow Films CEO Joel Pearlman has touted the opening weekend result for 'RAMS', arguing it proves Australian audiences are enthusiastic to return to cinemas.
WarnerMedia is preparing to sever its four decades long distribution alliance with Roadshow Films, moving its product to Universal Pictures in Australia.
The chairman of the National Association of Cinema Operators (NACO) has warned that Netflix and other streaming companies are endangering medium-sized films that can gross $5 million-$8 million in Australia.
Roadshow Films has continued it push into television production, acquiring a 50 per cent stake in BLINK TV.