The inaugural Australian Feature Film Forum, organized in partnership with the Australian International Movie Convention (AIMC), has unveiled its lineup of sessions for the virtual streaming package.
This forum aims to bridge the gap between filmmakers and the theatrical marketplace, fostering the exchange of current data, trends, and analysis within the feature film industry.
The virtual streaming package includes access to four panels at AIMC featuring leading professionals in the local and international cinema sector.
The Australian Feature Film Forum builds on the success of last year’s summit and is presented by the Australian Feature Film Working Group, consisting of industry experts such as Sue Maslin, Lori Flekser, Gino Munari, Claire Gandy, Antony Ginnane, Andy Barclay, Marc Wooldridge, Sasha Close, Brett Rosengarten, and Kylie Munnich.
The sessions will be live-streamed, recorded, and available for four weeks on the AFFF website for registered participants. Here’s a breakdown of the panels:
Panel 1: Australia’s Evolving Box Office
- Date: Wednesday, November 1, 8 am (AEST)
- Description: A data-driven discussion about the current Australian cinema-goers and the factors influencing box office trends. Moderated by Matt Liebmann (The Vista Group), with panelists including Stephanie Mills (Hoyts Group), Benjamin Zeccola (Palace Cinemas), Brian Pritchett (Paramount Pictures), Dean Schraftt (Google), Frank Perikleous (Comscore), and Ruari Elkington (Queensland University of Technology).
Panel 2: Ask Me Anything
- Date: Wednesday, November 1, 3 pm (AEST)
- Description: An interactive session where film producers, exhibitors, and distributors ask challenging questions to gain insights into each sector’s decision-making processes and audience-finding strategies. Moderated by Tracey Vieira (Hoodlum CCO), with panelists including Claire Gandy (Event Cinemas), Ross Entwhistle (Limelight Cinemas), Marc Wooldridge (Maslow Entertainment), Sam Jennings (Causeway Films), and Jamie Hilton (See Pictures).
Panel 3: Modern Marketing – Evolving Trends, Technologies & Opportunities
- Date: Thursday, November 2, 8 am (AEST)
- Description: A discussion on the evolving landscape of marketing in the film industry, exploring trends, technological advancements, and opportunities to engage evolving audiences. Panelists include Bec Pini (M4M agency), Liberty Wilson (Event Cinemas), Stacey Kwijas (Village Cinemas), Felicity Drake (Universal Pictures), Richard Greenwood (Movio), and Whitney Williams (TikTok).
Keynote Speaker: Changing Consumer Behavior & The Future Of Marketing
- Date: Thursday, November 2, 9 am (AEST)
- Description: Dean Schrafft, Google Industry Manager (Media, Entertainment & Technology), discusses changing consumer behavior, emerging trends, and the implications for the future of marketing in the media and entertainment industry.
Panel 4: The Rise of the Experience – Global Cinema Experiences & Technological Trends
- Date: Thursday, November 2, 2:45 pm (AEST)
- Description: An exploration of the shift towards “experiences” in cinema, including different seating concepts, technological innovations, and enhancements in food and beverage offerings. The panel includes experts like Giovanni Dolci (IMAX), Luke Mackey (Event Cinemas), Brett Rosengarten (ICA), Edwin Ramesh (Dolby Laboratories), Brian Claypool (Christie – EVP Cinema), and Pruthu Shah (Scrabble Entertainment).
