While film industries worldwide often struggle to recover, Australia's is roaring back to life, with a record-setting 28 local features hitting cinemas in a single year, a 12% jump that kickstarts our deep dive into a sector booming with everything from 18 theatrical documentaries and 67 TV dramas to horror films hitting a decade high and global box office triumphs like *Elio* earning over $45 million.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022-23, 28 Australian feature films achieved a theatrical release in cinemas across Australia, marking a 12% increase from the previous year
- Between 2018-2023, Australian documentary features averaged 15 theatrical releases per year, with 2022-23 seeing 18 releases
- In 2022-23, 67 Australian television drama titles commenced production, totaling 1,892 hours of content
- Australian feature films' average production time increased to 28 months in 2023 from 24 in 2019
- In 2022-23, Australian features grossed $126.5 million domestically at the box office
- Top Australian film 'Elio' earned $45.2 million globally in 2023
- In 2023, the Australian screen industry employed 45,000 full-time equivalent workers
- Screen NSW supported 2,500 jobs in 2022-23 through funding
- 12,000 crew worked on Australian TV dramas in 2023, averaging 180 per production
- In 2022-23, Screen Australia allocated $114.9 million in production funding
- Federal PICS rebate claimed $678 million for 2023 productions
- Screen NSW invested $65 million in 150 projects in 2023
- In 2023, 12 Australian films won AACTA Awards for Best Feature
- 'The Power of the Dog' grossed $45 million internationally, 5 Oscar noms 2022
- 45 Australian titles screened at Cannes 2018-2023
Australia's film industry is growing with increased production, funding, and global recognition.
Employment and Talent
- In 2023, the Australian screen industry employed 45,000 full-time equivalent workers
- Screen NSW supported 2,500 jobs in 2022-23 through funding
- 12,000 crew worked on Australian TV dramas in 2023, averaging 180 per production
- Women comprised 28% of Australian film directors in 2022-23, up from 22% in 2018
- Indigenous screen practitioners numbered 1,200 in 2023
- VFX artists in Australia reached 4,500 employed in 2023
- Film editors trained annually: 650 via AFTRS programs 2020-23
- 35% of cinematographers were female in 2023, a record high
- Production designers: 1,800 active in Australia 2023
- Actors guild membership: 5,200 professional actors in 2023
- Sound technicians employed: 2,100 full-time in screen sector 2022
- Writers' guild reported 1,450 members working on 120 projects in 2023
- Location managers: 450 jobs created by international shoots in 2023
- Costume designers: 28% female-led departments in 2023 features
- Grip and lighting crew: 3,200 employed across 150 productions 2023
- Post-production supervisors: 820 roles in 2023
- Stunt performers registered: 650 in Australia 2023
- Music composers for screen: 1,100 active, earning avg $85k/year 2023
- Casting directors: 320 operating nationally in 2023
- DIT operators grew to 450 in 2023 due to digital boom
- Script supervisors: 1,200 jobs logged in 2023 productions
- Hair and makeup artists: 2,500 employed, 65% female 2023
- Screen Australia training programs graduated 450 new talents in 2023
- Below-the-line crew turnover rate: 18% in 2023
- Executive producers in indie sector: 780 in 2023
Employment and Talent Interpretation
The Australian screen industry is a sprawling ecosystem of 45,000 dedicated souls, where VFX artists are booming, women are steadily claiming more director's chairs, and everyone from the 4,500 VFX wizards to the 650 stalwart stunt performers is collectively holding their breath between gigs.
Financial Performance
- Australian feature films' average production time increased to 28 months in 2023 from 24 in 2019
- In 2022-23, Australian features grossed $126.5 million domestically at the box office
- Top Australian film 'Elio' earned $45.2 million globally in 2023
- Streaming revenue for Australian content reached $450 million in 2023
- Average budget for Australian features was $5.8 million in 2022-23, up 15% YoY
- Box office for Australian docs hit $18.7 million in 2022-23
- Export sales of Australian films totaled $120 million in 2023
- VOD revenue from Australian titles was $67 million in 2022
- 'The Dry' sequel grossed $22.1 million domestically in 2023
- Australian TV drama export value reached $250 million in 2023
- Cinema admission revenue for local films was $89 million in 2022-23
- Ancillary revenue from DVD/Blu-ray for Aussie films: $12.4 million in 2022
- Production spend by international films in Australia: $1.2 billion in 2023
- Local box office share for Australian films: 8.5% in 2022-23
- Streaming deals for Aussie features averaged $1.8 million per title in 2023
- Pay TV rights for Australian content: $180 million annually avg 2020-23
- Festival prize money for Australian films: $4.5 million in 2023
- Merchandise revenue from top Aussie films: $15 million in 2022
- Crowdfunding for Australian indie films raised $8.2 million in 2023
- Tax rebate claims totaled $650 million for film productions in 2023
- Average ROI for Screen Australia funded features: 1.4:1 in 2022-23
- Home video sales declined 22% to $9.8 million for local titles in 2023
- International distribution advances for Aussie films: $55 million in 2023
- Theatrical rentals for Australian films: $34 million in 2022-23
- SVOD subscriptions driven by local content contributed $320 million revenue
- Post-production spend on Aussie projects: $280 million in 2023
- Soundtrack licensing revenue: $7.1 million from Australian films 2022
- Equity investment in features: $42 million private funds in 2023
Financial Performance Interpretation
Australia's film industry is a patient farmer who takes longer to sow each crop, but is increasingly harvesting a hearty and diversified bounty, even if some of the old storage barns are starting to creak.
Funding and Investment
- In 2022-23, Screen Australia allocated $114.9 million in production funding
- Federal PICS rebate claimed $678 million for 2023 productions
- Screen NSW invested $65 million in 150 projects in 2023
- Queensland's Screen Queensland fund disbursed $42 million in 2022-23
- Victoria's Film Victoria granted $38 million to 85 titles in 2023
- South Australia's Screen Forever fund: $22 million in 2023
- Private equity via FFC Australia: $150 million invested 2020-23
- Export Development Grants totaled $18 million for films in 2023
- Tax incentives attracted $1.1 billion foreign spend in 2023
- Crowdfunding platforms raised $12.5 million for 320 projects 2023
- Screenrights royalties distributed $45 million to creators in 2023
- WA Screenwest allocated $19 million across 70 projects 2022-23
- Indigenous funding via Screen Australia: $15.2 million in 2023
- Women in Film grants: $3.8 million awarded 2023
- Development funding: $28 million for 450 scripts in 2023
- Post, Digital & Visual Effects Incentive: $120 million claimed 2023
- Regional production funds: $8.5 million via state bodies 2023
- Co-productions with NZ received $25 million AUS investment 2023
- Philanthropic donations to film: $6.2 million in 2023
- Bank loans for features averaged $2.1 million per project 2023
- Festival travel grants: $1.9 million supporting 250 filmmakers 2023
Funding and Investment Interpretation
Behind the glittering premiere curtain, the Australian film industry is a surprisingly thrifty and collaborative beast, stitching together its vibrant stories from a patchwork of generous public grants, sharp tax incentives, private investments, and even the hopeful coins tossed into crowdfunding hats.
International Reach and Awards
- In 2023, 12 Australian films won AACTA Awards for Best Feature
- 'The Power of the Dog' grossed $45 million internationally, 5 Oscar noms 2022
- 45 Australian titles screened at Cannes 2018-2023
- Berlin Festival hosted 18 Aussie features 2020-23
- Toronto TIFF premiered 22 Australian films in 2023
- Sundance accepted 9 Aussie docs 2023
- Venice Film Festival: 7 Australian entries 2022-23
- Australian films exported to 120 countries in 2023
- 3 Australian films won Golden Globes 2018-2023
- Emmy wins for Aussie series: 15 in 2023
- BAFTA nominations for Australian talent: 28 in 2023
- US box office for Aussie films: $320 million cumulative 2023
- Co-productions with US: 12 titles released 2020-23
- Asian market revenue: $85 million from Aussie content 2023
- European theatrical releases: 65 Aussie films 2022-23
- AACTA International Awards: 250 entries from 40 countries 2023
- Indigenous films at IDFA: 5 wins 2023
- UK streaming deals: 40 Aussie titles acquired by BBC/Channel4 2023
- Palme d'Or shortlist: 2 Australian directors 2019-2023
- Oscar submissions from Australia: 18 features 2023
- Global festival premieres: 180 for Aussie shorts 2023
- Netflix original Aussie films: 15 launched internationally 2023
- Japanese box office: $12 million for 'Mad Max' franchise relaunch 2023
International Reach and Awards Interpretation
Australia’s film industry has masterfully exploited the classic "throw another shrimp on the barbie" strategy—only now it’s a steady stream of acclaimed films and talent being served up to a global audience that can’t seem to get enough.
Production and Output
- In 2022-23, 28 Australian feature films achieved a theatrical release in cinemas across Australia, marking a 12% increase from the previous year
- Between 2018-2023, Australian documentary features averaged 15 theatrical releases per year, with 2022-23 seeing 18 releases
- In 2022-23, 67 Australian television drama titles commenced production, totaling 1,892 hours of content
- From 2017-2022, 142 Australian feature films entered production, with an average budget of $4.2 million per film
- In 2021-22, 24 Australian feature films were released theatrically, generating over 5.2 million admissions domestically
- Australian short films numbered 450 productions in 2023, supported by state funding bodies
- Between 2019-2023, 35 Australian children's feature films were produced, averaging 7 per year
- In 2023, 12 Australian horror feature films entered production, the highest genre output in a decade
- 2022 saw 56 episodes of Australian scripted series commence production in Queensland alone
- From 2020-2023, 28 Australian feature documentaries were completed, with themes focusing on environment and history
- In FY2023, Screen Australia invested in 112 drama projects, including 19 features
- Australian animation features produced 8 titles from 2018-2023, with $25 million total investment
- 2023 recorded 42 Australian web series launches on streaming platforms
- Between 2015-2022, 210 Australian TV movies were produced, averaging 26 per year
- In 2022-23, New South Wales hosted production of 29 feature films, leading the nation
- 17 Australian Indigenous feature films were made from 2010-2023
- 2023 saw 65 Australian music videos produced with Screen NSW funding
- From 2021-2023, 34 Australian sci-fi features entered development
- Victoria produced 22 drama series episodes in 2023, totaling 450 hours
- In 2022, 15 Australian period dramas were released, focusing on colonial history
- South Australia commenced 8 feature productions in 2023, with $45m spend
- 2022-23 had 26 Australian rom-com features in production pipeline
- Tasmania produced 5 feature films from 2020-2023 via state rebates
- Australian Capital Territory saw 7 indie features in 2023
- Northern Territory hosted 4 doco-features in 2023 on Indigenous stories
- Western Australia completed 12 features in 2022-23
- 2023 digital shorts by Australian filmmakers reached 320 uploads to festivals
- Queensland's 2023 output included 18 TV dramas, 720 hours total
- From 2019-2023, 45 Australian thrillers were produced
- In 2022-23, 9 Australian biopics entered production
Production and Output Interpretation
While the raw numbers might not yet challenge Hollywood's GDP, Australia's film industry is punching well above its weight class, delivering a surprisingly robust and eclectic slate of homegrown stories from heartwarming rom-coms to terrifying horror flicks, all while carefully documenting its own backyard and history.
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