Lens trained on Australian film industry

THE Glitter Strip will soon be packed with movie production heavy-hitters pondering how to take Aussie film from the wings and into the spotlight.

More than 1000 industry bigwigs will be in town this weekend for the 73rd Australian International Movie Convention (AIMC), the largest in the southern hemisphere.

AIMC chairman and former Tourism Queensland boss Terry Jackman said the event would focus on building the Australian film industry.

“Australian films represent about 5 per cent of the Australian box office, which is a very low figure — England is about 20 per cent and even New Zealand is about 12 per cent — so we’re going to talk a lot about how we can make Australian film bigger,” he said.

“We basically have 30 big contingents from Hollywood, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, England and those international influences can talk about what’s happening in the rest of the world.”

This year the convention will host a filmmakers’ Q&A for Ride Like a Girl, the story of Michelle Payne, the first female jockey to ride the winner in the Melbourne Cup.

The panel includes acclaimed actor Rachel Griffiths, Michelle Payne herself, her brother and strapper Steve Payne and production company owner Richard Keddie.

During the five day convention, professionals from the world’s biggest film studios, including 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures and Roadshow Films, will make presentations and preview coming blockbusters, including Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Night School, American Animals among others.

CEO of Screen Queensland Tracey Vieira said the event would continue to build the Gold Coast’s reputation for film and TV excellence.

“Hosting the Australian International Movie Convention on the Gold Coast no long after the TV Week Logie Awards is deliberate as it is part of our commitment to cement the region’s reputation as a screen industry hub,” she said.

“It gives us an opportunity to showcase our screen capability, facilities and locations to the industry’s decision-makers and continue to build strong relationships that will result in the Gold Coast securing more productions to Queensland.

“It also gives our local producers another opportunity to see the inner workings of the industry and have insight into the triggers that make distributors buy, and exhibitors show, films in cinema.”