Distribution: A hint of local flavour

All distributors, big and small, have hits and disappointments; it’s the nature of the business. Encore spoke with a number of distribution executives about their year and their relationship with Australian films.

The last 18 months have seen an unusual number of Australian films cross the $1m line, with Mao’s Last Dancer ($15.4, Roadshow/Hopscotch), Bran Nue Dae ($7.5m, Roadshow), The Kings of Mykonos: Wog Boy 2 ($4.9m, Paramount/Transmission), Animal Kingdom ($4.3m, Madman), Charlie & Boots ($3.9m, Paramount/Transmission), Beneath Hill 60 ($3.2m, Paramount/Transmission) and Samson & Delilah ($3.2m, Paramount/Transmission/Footprint) all delivering strong results – they may not all have made their budget back, but it’s a step forward in recapturing local audiences beyond niche numbers.

There is optimism, but that doesn’t mean everyone is taking the cheque book out to book the next 10 available Australian films.

At Icon Film Distribution, Greg Hughes feels that, 2D or 3D, the theatrical business is all about the survival of the fittest, and a few local hits do not an industry make.