Film societies get their films two main ways: through an Australian film distributor, or by borrowing a 16mm print from the NFSA’s Lending Collection. A growing number of groups have also started accessing certain titles from Netflix.
If a film society can demonstrate it’s not-for-profit, subscription-based, and doesn’t charge for admission, it’s eligible for the concessional film-society rate with any of the distributors below — Amalgamated, Roadshow, Madman and many others all offer one.
Australian Distributors
The pricing below was confirmed directly with each distributor and published following the Federation’s 2023 outreach — rates now vary distributor to distributor, so it’s worth checking here before assuming a flat rate. If anything below is out of date, let us know.
Roadshow Entertainment
The largest distributor in Australia, agent for around 25 studios including 20th Century Fox, Buena Vista/Walt Disney, DreamWorks, MGM, Miramax, Paramount, Pixar, Universal, Village Roadshow, Warner Brothers and United Artists. Supplies DVDs at $11 each if you don’t own a copy. Screening permission (2024/25 rates): $55+GST for groups of 25 or fewer, $75+GST for 26–50 members, $100+GST for 51–100 members. Contact: Michael Firmani, Michael_Firmani@roadshow.com.au — roadshowppl.com.au (catalogue: ppl.roadshow.com.au/films).
Amalgamated Movies
The second-biggest distributor, with the largest 16mm range in Australia, and agent for Madman, Sony, Columbia, TriStar, Screen Gems, Ronin Films and Lime Light Distribution. AFSF members pay $60 for a 16mm print ($35 rights + $25 postage); DVD screening rights run on a sliding scale — $75 for 1–80 members, $120 for 81–120, $150 for 121–150. DVD rental postage is currently $5 by regular post. Contact (Head Office / QLD, VIC, TAS, NT, WA, SA): Steve Snell, (07) 4787 1086, stevens@amalgamatedmovies.com. Contact (NSW): Lorraine Paton, 0425 293 030, lorrainepaton1@bigpond.com — amalgamatedmovies.com.
Accent Film Entertainment
Screening fee: $50+GST per screening. Contact: Peter Campbell, +61 412 203 373, info@accentfilm.com — accentfilm.com.
Antidote Films
Basic rate of $50+GST for groups under 50 members (plus DVD/postage if required), rising to $150+GST for audiences up to 100. Happy to work with societies on the right balance of quality and affordability, and can supply promotional image assets or list your screening on their own site and social media. Contact: admin@antidotefilms.com.au — antidotefilms.com.au (also streams via watchantidotefilms.com.au).
Film Art Media
Screening permission: $165 GST inclusive. Contact: Sue Maslin, sue@filmartmedia.com (cc daryl@filmartmedia.com) — filmartmedia.com.
Hi Gloss Entertainment
A catalogue of mostly Italian and French cinema and feature documentaries. Screening permission: $50. Contact: Andrew Goode, info@highglossentertainment.com.au (urgent afternoon calls: 0466 993 254) — higlossentertainment.com.au.
Maslow Entertainment
Film-society pricing is decided case by case — get in touch directly. Contact: Marc Wooldridge, 0423 607 140, marcwooldridge@maslowentertainment.com — maslowentertainment.com/films.
Palace Films
Pricing available on request. Contact: Tony Zrna, 03 9816 1717 or 0402 181 016, tony.zrna@palacefilms.com.au — palacefilms.com.au.
Park Circus
Discounts for film societies (as well as their commercial rate) are decided case by case. Contact: Chris Smith, chris.smith@parkcircus.com or aunz@parkcircus.com — parkcircus.com.
Pivot Pictures
Access Pivot Pictures titles by contacting Roadshow Entertainment (above). pivotpictures.com.au / facebook.com/PivotPics.
Ponder Entertainment
Brings Asian cinema to Australia and New Zealand (currently Hong Kong titles). Sliding scale: $75 for 1–80 members, $120 for 81–120, $150 for 121–150, negotiable above 151. Contact: Cecily, info@ponder.productions — ponder.productions.
Potential Films
(Formerly Chapel Distribution.) The Australian distributor of RKO titles. Screening rights: $55. Contact: Mark Spratt — email preferred, mark@potentialfilms.com, or phone (03) 9328 5000 — potentialfilms.com.
Ronin Films
Screening rights: $75. Contact: Craig McConnell, 02 6248 0851, orders@roninfilms.com.au — roninfilms.com.au (catalogue: roninfilms.com.au/video).
Sharmill Films
Screening rights: $55. Contact: Lee Hunter — email preferred, lee@sharmillfilms.com.au, or phone (03) 9826 9077 — sharmillfilms.com.au.
StudioCanal
Doesn’t publish pricing online — contact for a quote. Contact: Andrew Rolfe, 02 9003 3985, andrew.rolfe@studiocanal.com — studiocanal.com.au.
Titan View
Screening permission: $50 (doesn’t cover DCP screenings). Contact: John Simpson, text or call 0407 915 000, John@titanview.com — titanview.com.
Umbrella Entertainment
Runs its own screening web portal with a booking enquiry form. Most societies pay $82.50; newer attendance-based pricing is $75+GST for 0–99 attendees, $100+GST for 100–199, negotiable above 200. Contact: Raf@umbrellaent.com.au or Nikita@umbrellaent.com.au — umbrellaent.com.au/screenings.
NFSA Lending Collection
The National Film and Sound Archive’s Non-Theatrical Lending Collection (NTLC) holds nearly 10,000 16mm titles — Australian and international features, shorts, animation, documentary, television and training films — the majority pre-licensed for non-commercial screening, so societies don’t need to separately clear copyright.
- Current fees: $60 for a feature, $40 for a short.
- Registered borrowers can book directly online.
- No admission charge is allowed for any screening using an NTLC loan — including a “suggested donation” or a compulsory charge for supper.
- Publicity should promote the program as a whole rather than individual titles, and make clear that admission is by membership (“new members and guests welcome”).
- The NFSA must be acknowledged as the source of each film in any publicity or printed material.
- You’ll need an experienced projectionist and regularly serviced equipment — most applications are approved within a couple of days.
Contact: nontheatric@nfsa.gov.au or (02) 6248 2217. Browse the Non-Theatrical Lending Collection.
Screening from Netflix
Netflix titles generally can’t be screened publicly — the one exception is documentaries Netflix has specifically marked as licensed for educational/community-group screening (which includes film societies).
- One screening only — one film, one day. Not the same film twice, and not two films on the same day.
- The film must be streamed live from a Netflix subscription, not supplied on disc.
- Only available to not-for-profit groups.
- The Netflix logo may not be used in any publicity.