AIDA PRESENTATION DINNER AND AWARDS CEREMONY

Last night at at Jupiter’s Hotel & Casino The Australian Independent Distributors Association (AIDA) hosted its traditional annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony as part of the Australian International Movie Convention (AIMC) this week.

Hosted by AIDA President Robert Slaviero guests of the sit-down dinner were treated to trailers from twelve production companies showcasing their upcoming independent films.

Companies showcasing their upcoming films included Becker Film Group, Curious Film, Entertainment One Films, Icon Film Distributors, Madman Entertainment, Palace Films, Pinnacle Films, Potential Films, Rialto Distribution, Sharmill Films, Studiocanal and Umbrella Films.

Special guest Anthony LaPaglia (Holding The Man, Mental) helped present the cinema awards for 2015. “Australian films have become more universal…They’re about the human condition and that translates to any country around the world… We’re creatively at the cutting edge still, ” said Mr LaPaglia.

The winners were:

Best Suburban Cinema: Sun Theatre, Yarraville, VIC

Best Regional Cinema: Arts Centre Cinema Gold Coast, QLD

Best New Zealand Cinema: The Lighthouse Cuba, Wellington

Along with the cinema awards, this year’s inaugural Independent Spirit Award was rewarded to Frank Cox, co-founder of Hopscotch and EntertainmentOne. The award is presented to an individual in recognition of a career that has primarily been based in Australian independent exhibition, distribution or production and who has made a significant contribution to the success and promotion of Australian Independent Distributors and/or Australian films. Cox was presented the award by long-time friend and colleague Troy Lum.

At the end of the night guests were treated to a screening of the upcoming film Trumbo starring Brian Cranston.