Australia's lucky run at the box office continues. Four out of the five highest grossing films last weekend were local titles, with new release 'Long Story Short' joining the ranks with 'The Dry', 'Penguin Bloom' and 'High Ground'.
With continued paucity of product from the US and other international territories, Australian films remain the main event at the box office.
In a remarkable result, four Australian films - 'The Dry', 'Penguin Bloom', 'High Ground' and 'Occupation: Rainfall' - took home almost 50 per cent of the national box office last weekend.
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.
Ben Lawrence and Beatrix Christian's 'Hearts and Bones' was named best original feature film screenplay at the Australian Writers' Guild's annual AWGIE Awards Tuesday evening, while Shaun Grant and Harry Cripps took home the adaptation prize for 'Penguin Bloom'.
'Penguin Bloom' stars Naomi Watts as Sam Bloom, a young mother whose world is turned upside down after a near-fatal accident leaves her unable to walk.
In many respects, the screen sector today is virtually unrecognisable from three and a half years ago, and not just because the coronavirus pandemic has devastated sections of the industry.
Roadshow will launch Robert Connolly's 'The Dry' on January 1 and Glendyn Ivin's 'Penguin Bloom' on January 21, raising exhibitors' hopes of a strong start to the year on the proviso that a raft of Hollywood titles are not postponed.