Screen Australia Filmmaker Masterclass @ AIMC

Oct 28, 2024

Screen Australia has partnered with AIMC on a new program designed to increase engagement and attendance for Australian filmmakers. The program is available here: 

https://cinemaassociation.asn.au/convention/program/.

The Screen Australia Filmmaker Masterclass on Monday is dedicated to Australian production with the screening of a high-profile local film, and the recordings are now available to watch online. The resources for the session can be downloaded here.

#1 Australian Exhibition Panel

Moderated by Cameron Mitchell, a panel including Preetham Daniel, Ross Entwistle, Claire Gandy, Brett Rosengarten and Sharon Strickland. They discuss the challenges and opportunities for Australian films and emphasize the need for broader appeal, stronger storytelling, more effective marketing and distribution campaigns to bring back local audiences and unlock global potential.

#2 In Conversation with Rob Connolly

Rob Connolly shares his thoughts with Benjamin Zeccola on the importance of collaboration between filmmakers, distributors, and exhibitors and encourages filmmakers to be more proactive in reaching audiences through outreach programs and engaging with local cinemas.

#3 Australian Distribution Panel

Moderated by Nick Hayes, a panel comprising Tiffany Millane, Edwina Waddy, Paul Wiegard and Marc Wooldridge who discuss the strategies and challenges of Australian film distribution. They touch on the importance of understanding the target audience, developing strong pitches, along with leveraging social media and influencer partnerships to enhance the film’s visibility in the market. The panellists emphasized the value of theatrical releases while acknowledging the need to adapt to evolving industry trends and embrace digital and streaming platforms.

#4 Connecting with Audiences

Keynote presentation by Sue Maslin on what audiences want from Australian films- strong storytelling, relatable characters, and unique settings - and she questions why we are still making so many films every year that struggle to find their audiences. 

#5 Marketing Panel

Felicity McVay and Rachel Watt deep dive into marketing feature films. They shed light on the importance of tailoring content to different social media platforms and the need to build a community around the film to engage with the core audience.

#6 Marketing - TikTok Presentation

Moderated by Sara Ogden, Tik Tok influencers Elle Rayias and Aicha Robertson discuss their experiences in creating content on TikTok, including their strategies for collaborating with entertainment companies and sharing behind-the-scenes insights. By making authentic content, leveraging trends, and building relationships with industry professionals, they are able to resonate with their audience and potentially enhance film campaigns.

#7 Marketing & Research

Demi Hopkins shares the importance of effective key art and marketing strategies for films. Early planning and communication between filmmakers, unit publicity and the distributor is key.  Allocating sufficient resources for photography and other marketing materials to capture visually strong key art.

#8 Publicity Panel

Amanda Goddard breaks down the crucial role of public relations (PR) in the film industry, from building media relations, running publicity campaigns, managing crises, event planning to content creation.