by FilmInk Staff

Defiant Screen Entertainment Marks 10 Years of Independent Excellence Across Australia & New Zealand

Defiant Screen Entertainment Pty. Ltd., one of Australasia’s most respected independent film distributors, celebrates its 10th anniversary this month, marking a decade of market-driven curation, trusted partnerships, and defiant resilience in a constantly evolving entertainment landscape.

Established in 2015 following a management buyout of Anchor Bay Entertainment Australia, by then Managing Director Marilyn Greig, Defiant has grown into a category-leading all-rights distributor, known for its commercial content and reputation for professionalism, transparency, and a determination to maximise every revenue stream for our partners.

“From the beginning, we set out to create something nimble, passionate, and partner-focused,” said Glenn Casey, Defiant Screen Entertainment Co-owner and Director of Finance & Business Affairs. “Defiant has stayed true to that vision and as we celebrate 10 years, we’re grateful for the filmmakers, licensors, suppliers, retail partners, and viewers who have backed us, and we’re energised for the next chapter.”

A Decade of Highlights:

  • 2015: Defiant Screen Entertainment is launched, kicking off with the release of the A-List cast driven thriller THE LOFT
  • 2015: Defiant win Australian Home Entertainment Distributors Association (AHEDA) Best Marketing Campaign – New Release Direct To Home Entertainment Title Of The Year for IN THE BLOOD
  • 2017: Defiant achieve sales success, winning AHEDA’s New Release Direct To Home Entertainment Title of the Year with MARAUDERS starring Bruce Willis
  • 2019: Defiant once again win AHEDA’s Sales Achievement Award, New Release Direct To Home Entertainment Title of the Year with BRAVEN
  • 2019: Defiant partner with leading UK independent distribution company Signature Entertainment to release their content on Digital* and DVD in Australia and New Zealand, a line-up that has included the commercial successes LAMBORGHINI, GUNNER and OLD HENRY
  • 2021: Defiant partner with boutique North American acquisition and distribution company Saban Films to represent their content on Digital and DVD in Australia and New Zealand, including hit creature features INTO THE DEEP and MANEATER, as well as Nic Cage’s first ever western, THE OLD WAY
  • 2023: Defiant expand partnership with Australia-based boutique film distribution company Screen Inc., releasing several of their titles on Digital and DVD in ANZ, including the acclaimed Australian dance-drama THE RED SHOES: NEXT STEPS, the AACTA and SPA award nominated Aussie drama STREETS OF COLOUR, and the powerful Australian made thriller HERE BE DRAGONS
  • 2024: Defiant extend and expand our long-standing partnership with New Zealand based independent Jigsaw Entertainment, continuing to release their content on physical media, and taking over their ANZ digital distribution
  • 2024: Industry legend Marilyn Grieg retires, and Defiant Screen Entertainment is proudly acquired by the existing management team of Glenn Casey, Geoff Doyle and Justine Butler
  • 2025: Defiant achieve their 10-Year Milestone and are recognised by Prime Video with an ANZ Operational Excellence Award

Over the years, Defiant has built a catalogue of high-performing, audience-driven films across multiple genres and formats. With a current catalogue consisting of 500 plus titles, this anniversary not only celebrates past achievements but also represents the beginning of the next chapter, as the company strives to expand its slate and strengthen its local and global partnerships.

To commemorate the occasion, Defiant are celebrating throughout the month of July with content giveaways via our social media pages, as well as exciting price promotions on our all-time TOP 50 films across several of our transactional digital partners.

Defiant’s TOP 10 Highest Grossing Movies are:

  1. BRAVEN – starring Jason Momoa
  2. THE IRON MASK – starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jackie Chan
  3. THE VANISHING – starring Gerard Butler and Peter Mullan
  4. PAY THE GHOST – starring Nicolas Cage
  5. MARAUDERS – starring Bruce Willis, Dave Bautista and Adrian Grenier
  6. BUS 657 – starring Robert de Niro, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Dave Bautista
  7. THE BOMBING – starring Bruce Willis and Adrien Brody
  8. AFTERMATH – starring Arnold Schwarzenegger
  9. DANGEROUS – starring Mel Gibson, Scott Eastwood, Famke Janssen and Tyrese Gibson
  10. THE POSTCARD KILLINGS – starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Famke Janssen
Shares: