{"id":15,"date":"2026-09-07T08:27:48","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T08:27:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ausfilm.org.au\/?page_id=15"},"modified":"2026-09-07T08:27:48","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T08:27:48","slug":"where-to-get-films","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ausfilm.org.au\/?page_id=15","title":{"rendered":"Where to Get Films"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Filmmaker<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2014 Amalgamated, Roadshow, Madman and many others all offer one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Australian Distributors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The pricing below was confirmed directly with each distributor and published following the Federation’s 2023 outreach \u2014 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 If anything below is out of date, let us know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roadshow Entertainment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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\u201350 members, $100+GST for 51\u2013100 members. Contact: Michael Firmani, Michael_Firmani@roadshow.com.au<\/a> \u2014 roadshowppl.com.au<\/a> (catalogue: ppl.roadshow.com.au\/films<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amalgamated Movies<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2014 $75 for 1\u201380 members, $120 for 81\u2013120, $150 for 121\u2013150. 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<\/a>. Contact (NSW): Lorraine Paton, 0425 293 030, lorrainepaton1@bigpond.com<\/a> \u2014 amalgamatedmovies.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accent Film Entertainment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Screening fee: $50+GST per screening. Contact: Peter Campbell, +61 412 203 373, info@accentfilm.com<\/a> \u2014 accentfilm.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Antidote Films<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> \u2014 antidotefilms.com.au<\/a> (also streams via watchantidotefilms.com.au<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Film Art Media<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Screening permission: $165 GST inclusive. Contact: Sue Maslin, sue@filmartmedia.com<\/a> (cc daryl@filmartmedia.com<\/a>) \u2014 filmartmedia.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hi Gloss Entertainment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A catalogue of mostly Italian and French cinema and feature documentaries. Screening permission: $50. Contact: Andrew Goode, info@highglossentertainment.com.au<\/a> (urgent afternoon calls: 0466 993 254) \u2014 higlossentertainment.com.au<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maslow Entertainment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Film-society pricing is decided case by case \u2014 get in touch directly. Contact: Marc Wooldridge, 0423 607 140, marcwooldridge@maslowentertainment.com<\/a> \u2014 maslowentertainment.com\/films<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Palace Films<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Pricing available on request. Contact: Tony Zrna, 03 9816 1717 or 0402 181 016, tony.zrna@palacefilms.com.au<\/a> \u2014 palacefilms.com.au<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Park Circus<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Discounts for film societies (as well as their commercial rate) are decided case by case. Contact: Chris Smith, chris.smith@parkcircus.com<\/a> or aunz@parkcircus.com<\/a> \u2014 parkcircus.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pivot Pictures<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Access Pivot Pictures titles by contacting Roadshow Entertainment (above). pivotpictures.com.au<\/a> \/ facebook.com\/PivotPics<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ponder Entertainment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Brings Asian cinema to Australia and New Zealand (currently Hong Kong titles). Sliding scale: $75 for 1\u201380 members, $120 for 81\u2013120, $150 for 121\u2013150, negotiable above 151. Contact: Cecily, info@ponder.productions<\/a> \u2014 ponder.productions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Potential Films<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

(Formerly Chapel Distribution.) The Australian distributor of RKO titles. Screening rights: $55. Contact: Mark Spratt \u2014 email preferred, mark@potentialfilms.com<\/a>, or phone (03) 9328 5000 \u2014 potentialfilms.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ronin Films<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Screening rights: $75. Contact: Craig McConnell, 02 6248 0851, orders@roninfilms.com.au<\/a> \u2014 roninfilms.com.au<\/a> (catalogue: roninfilms.com.au\/video<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sharmill Films<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Screening rights: $55. Contact: Lee Hunter \u2014 email preferred, lee@sharmillfilms.com.au<\/a>, or phone (03) 9826 9077 \u2014 sharmillfilms.com.au<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

StudioCanal<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Doesn’t publish pricing online \u2014 contact for a quote. Contact: Andrew Rolfe, 02 9003 3985, andrew.rolfe@studiocanal.com<\/a> \u2014 studiocanal.com.au<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Titan View<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Screening permission: $50 (doesn’t cover DCP screenings). Contact: John Simpson, text or call 0407 915 000, John@titanview.com<\/a> \u2014 titanview.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Umbrella Entertainment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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\u201399 attendees, $100+GST for 100\u2013199, negotiable above 200. Contact: Raf@umbrellaent.com.au<\/a> or Nikita@umbrellaent.com.au<\/a> \u2014 umbrellaent.com.au\/screenings<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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NFSA Lending Collection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The National Film and Sound Archive’s Non-Theatrical Lending Collection (NTLC) holds nearly 10,000 16mm titles \u2014 Australian and international features, shorts, animation, documentary, television and training films \u2014 the majority pre-licensed for non-commercial screening, so societies don’t need to separately clear copyright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n