Partnering with the Australian International Movie Convention for the first time, the AFFF program aims to close the gap between filmmakers and the theatrical marketplace and facilitate the sharing of current data, trends and analysis of the feature film marketplace. Streaming the panels will allow filmmakers from across Australia to participate in the critical screen event, many for the first time. Filmmakers will benefit from understanding the perspective of distributors and exhibitors – the “retail” sector of the chain – and gain insight into what they think will or won’t play in their cinemas. It’s an unmissable opportunity to hear from speakers who are rarely accessible to the production sector.
The virtual streaming package is $25 (inc. GST) and includes access to four panels featuring leading professionals in the local and international cinema sector, each highlighting the latest data, trends, technology and predictions about the place of cinema releases in the minds of consumers.
Head over here to get your tickets now as places are limited.
The following sessions will be live-streamed, recorded and then stored for four weeks on the AFFF website and available to registered participants:
Panel 1: Wednesday 1 November 8am (AEST) Australia’s Evolving Box Office: A Data-driven Discussion about Movies & Moviegoers
Description: Moderator Matt Liebmann, Chief Product, Innovation & Marketing Officer for The Vista Group and a panel of entertainment industry insiders hold a data-driven conversation about the who, what, when and why of today’s Australia cinema-goers. Joining Matt are Stephanie Mills (Hoyts Group), Benjamin Zeccola (Palace Cinemas), Brian Pritchett (Paramount Pictures), Dean Schraftt (Google), Frank Perikleous (Comscore) & Ruari Elkington (Queensland University of Technology).
Panel 2: Wednesday 1 November 3pm (AEST) Ask Me Anything
Description: A panel of film producers, exhibitors and distributors ask tough questions of each other to stimulate a better understanding of each sector’s decision-making process and enable insights into the complexities of finding audiences for Australian films in cinemas. Hoodlum CCO Tracey Vieira orchestrates all those “burning questions” to reveal the motivations, operational limitations and business-model drivers for each of these sectors. Joining Tracey will be Claire Gandy (Event Cinemas), Ross Entwistle (Limelight Cinemas), Marc Wooldridge (Maslow Entertainment), Sam Jennings (Causeway Films) & Jamie Hilton (See Pictures).
Panel 3: Thursday 2 November 8am (AEST) Modern Marketing – Evolving Trends, Technologies & Opportunities
Description: Marketing is evolving. Quickly! Starting in 1999 with the frightening creativity that launched the Blair Witch campaign, The Gentleminions, Barbenheimer, Smile, The Creator or even M3gan’s spooky dance are all recent examples of viral marketing driving box office to new heights. Eventising movies is here to stay, and Bec Pini from M4M agency will be joined by a panel to discuss how they are tailoring campaigns to different generations, and discussing ideas that the industry should be considering in order to enhance our engagement with evolving audiences. Panellists include Liberty Wilson (Event Cinemas), Stacey Kwijas (Village Cinemas), Felicity Drake (Universal Pictures), Richard Greenwood (Movio) and Whitney Williams (TikTok).
Keynote Speaker: Thursday 2 November 9am (AEST) Changing Consumer Behaviour & The Future Of Marketing
Description: Focused on changing consumer behaviour, both overall trends, Dean Schrafft – Google Industry Manager (Media, Entertainment & Technology) – will reveal what Google is seeing specifically in Media and Entertainment evidencing Google data, along with some thoughts surrounding the implications on the future of marketing, addressing advances in AI and the importance of data.
Panel 4: Thursday 2 November 2.45pm (AEST) The Rise of the Experience – Global Cinema Experiences & Technological Trends
Description: Leading management consulting firm, McKinsey, noted recently that Gen Z will make up a quarter of the population of Asia Pacific by 2025, with this generation more likely to spend on experiences that enrich their everyday lives than millennials. The Rise Of The Experience panel brings together international experts to discuss shifting trends towards “experiences” including different seating concepts, technology innovations and F&B enhancements, and how these experiences drive box office, repeat visitation and ultimately enhance the guest experience. Joining moderator Cameron Mitchell, the executive director of NACO, will be Giovanni Dolci (IMAX), Luke Mackey (Event Cinemas), Brett Rosengarten (ICA), Edwin Ramesh (Dolby Laboratories), Brian Claypool (Christie – EVP Cinema) and Pruthu Shah (Scrabble Entertainment).
ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN FEATURE FILM FORUM
The Australian Feature Film Forum (AFFF) is an initiative of the Australian Feature Film Working Group (AFFWG), an informal group of industry representatives from the production, exhibition and distribution sectors together with representatives of screen agencies, industry associations and guilds. Its purpose is to;
●Champion positive change that supports a commercially viable Australian feature film industry that consistently delivers movies that attract, engage and entertain significant audiences.
●Collate / share relevant local and global insights, trends and best practice / learnings.
●Promote alternative business models, distribution strategies and sources of finance.
●Encourage the next generation of entrepreneurial producers and creative talent.
The Australian Feature Film Working Group (AFFWG) members include Sue Maslin AO, Lori Flekser, Gino Munari, Claire Gandy, Antony Ginnane, Andy Barclay, Marc Wooldridge, Sasha Close, Brett Rosengarten and Kylie Munnich.
Previous AFFF events have been financed with the assistance of Screen Australia in association with VicScreen, Screen Queensland and other state agencies; as well as sponsorship from the Independent Cinemas Association (ICA), Creative Content Australia, Screen Producers Australia; and in-kind support from NACO, MPDAA and AIDA.
Visit Eventbrite for more information and tickets.
