A mandatory screen forum led by film industry heavyweights
Presented by Metro Screen 22nd October 6.30pm at the Chauvel cinema
Moderator: Andrew Urban
Panelists so far include:
Dr Ruth Harley - CEO Screen Australia
Troy Lum - Managing Director of Hopscotch Films
Margaret Pomeranz - At The Movies ABC
Garry Maddox - Journalist, Sydney Morning Herald
Susan Hoerlein - Publicity & Promotions Manager, Tsuki Marketing and PR Agency
With more to be announced shortly.
It has been the cause of many heated debates and is a topic that has overshadowed the Australian Film industry for decades - why don't the majority of Australian films attract Australian audiences?
Why did Oz films represent only 3.8% of the total box office last year [including Baz Lurmann's Australia]? Is it the: filmmakers, audiences, funding bodies, distributors? More importantly, what can be done about it?
Metro Screen presents a major screen industry event that is a must for those passionate about the current and future state of the Australian film industry. Representatives from a cross section of the industry, from funding to distribution, will discuss why they believe many of our films perform so poorly at the local box office. For those eager to have their say, we will be asking audience members to join in and voice their opinions.
The Australian public will watch Australian stories, ratings for recent TV shows have confirmed this, so why are they avoiding our films? Should more resources be directed to marketing? Are the films not getting a fair run from cinema chains? Do we need to 'sell out' to sell tickets?
The issue is no longer a scarce amount of films produced; 2009 has been touted as a vintage year for Australian films, with over 30 features being released theatrically, but how will they fair with audiences? Although applauded by critics, many have already receded into the shadows, barely making an impact at the box office. Why is this happening?!
Speculation will abound, conspiracy theories will be voiced, and [hopefully] solutions will be reached. The forum will not be a platform to complain about the industry [no whingers allowed], but is aimed to identify the contributing factors to this major crisis facing our films in aid of moving us onwards and upwards.
Panelists to be announced shortly.
Andrew Urban - With over 20 years experience in entertainment publishing, film journalist Andrew L. Urban and his partner Louise Keller launched Urban Cinefile in February 1997. At the 1998 Telstra/Australian Financial Review Internet Awards, Urban Cinefile was voted the Best Arts & Entertainment Site, and was soon syndicating its editorial content to major portals including AOL, Telstra Big Pond, Yahoo! and Optus. Urban Cinefile went on to produce movie reviews on mobile phones and a weekly movie review program for subscription tv channels Ovation and World Movies, the latter appointing Urban its Channel Host in 2002, to present two weekly movie hostings programs.
Audience bookings essential:
Online: www.metroscreen.org.au/network
Email: metro@metroscreen.org.au
Phone: 9356 1818.
WHEN:October 22 6.30pm - 8.30pm
WHERE:Chauvel cinema, sydney
COST:$5 all tickets
Extra reading:
Gary Maddox - The year in pictures - SMH
http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/film/the-year-in-pictures/2009/08/21/1250362203695.html
Rachel Ward - Cut! Time for a free kick for niche Australian movies and their makers - SMH
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/cut-time-for-a-free-kick-for-niche-australian-movies-and-their-makers-20090827-f132.html?page=-1
Dave Guzman - Response to Rachel - blog
http://daveguzman.blogspot.com/2009/08/on-beautiful-kate-and-australian-cinema.html
Lynden Barber - Response to Rachel - ABC unleashed.
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/stories/s2671789.htm
Michael Coulter - Screening the same old dreary story - Sunday Age
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/screening-the-same-old-dreary-story-20090830-f3i3.html
Luke Buckmaster - response to Michael - Crikey
http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/09/02/crikey-cage-match-is-australian-film-still-down-in-the-dumps/
