Dive into the uncharted waters of feature films. Discover how buyers work with creatives, what influences their decisions, and our cinematic future.

The feature film landscape, post covid and strikes in the US, is in uncharted waters, yet Australian filmmakers and distributors are consistently making a splash.

Theatrical features are challenging but filmmakers and distributors are evolving and preparing for rapid change. Veteran distributors Edwina Waddy (Roadshow Films), Jason Hernandez (Kismet Movies), and Ari Harrison (Umbrella Entertainment) have launched the noisiest breakout independent films post-COVID including “Of An Age”, “Talk to Me”, and “The Convert”. Joining the buyers is one of Australia's most prolific feature filmmakers, Pauline Chan who has shepherded multiple films to be produced and released in China and the US and is currently in pre-production on "Neponset Circle", a crime-thriller set in Boston. In this session, panellists will explore the unique filmmaker-distributor-audience relationship and how these dynamics shape the final product. They will also share insights into influencing factors behind financing, distribution, marketing decisions, and unpack 2023/24 with reflections on audience behaviours. The discussion will be followed by a Q&A.

Session produced & moderated by Aven Yap - Nimbus Creative