It was the official opening of the Australian International Movie Convention (AIMC) where over 1000 delegates were welcomed in the theatre of Jupiter’s Hotel & Casino. where the convention is being held. The welcoming address was done by Frank Perikleous (Managing Director – Australia and New Zealand Rentrak Corporation), Kirk Edwards (Acting Chairman, National Association of Cinema Operators-Australasia), and Stephen Basil-Jones (Chairman, Motion Picture Distributors Association of Australia). The opening addressed the international box office in the past year and what is still to come in future.
“The news of the international box office that is growing 6% per annum,” “that growth is led by China It is a phenomenal story happening over there. They are adding fifteen screens per day, not per week, per day… China has become the biggest grossing box office in the world.”
Following the opening Paul Johnson from Movietimes addressed the audience about the growing success of the recently relaunched industry initiative. Delegates were then treated to a presentation from Sony Pictures that was awarded with laughter and anticipation for what is to come.
Following was the awarding of The Natalie Miller Fellowship. President Sue Maslin, Marc Wooldridge (managing director of Twentieth Century Fox), Rebecca Hammond (2014 fellowship recipient), and Natalie Miller herself spoke about the fellowship and how it inspires the future female leaders of the screen industry. “We not only address the gender imbalance that is still evident in the screen industry, but drive greater company performance and innovation, and that means a more robust and diverse screen industry for everyone,” said Sue Maslin. Natalie Miller herself then awarded the 2015 fellowship to Courtney Botfield. The convention continues till Thursday Night with other leading distributors that will showcase the products that will be coming over the next 12months.
Image credit: Mirre Jennings
