Keogh and Mills shared their most anticipated watches and the power of Australia’s film industry at the “incredibly valuable” event.
B&T: What’s the highlight of the Movie Convention for you?
Damien Keogh: Bringing the industry together with all key stakeholders once a year is incredibly valuable. Cinema in Australia generates over $1.5B annually and is the number one out-of-home cultural pastime for Australians. There are a lot of key meetings and discussions, but the highlight is always the great presentations on upcoming content by the studios and distributors.
Stephanie Mills: Coming away from the convention, I truly feel that audiences are in for a real treat next year. The diverse lineup of films, ranging from powerful local content to major international blockbusters, promises something for everyone. Whether it is rich, compelling storytelling, beloved franchises making a return, or entirely new experiences that push creative boundaries, there is so much to look forward to. The passion and dedication from all corners of the industry are evident, and it’s clear that the focus is on creating unforgettable cinematic moments that will resonate with viewers of all ages.
B&T: How many AIMC’s have you attended & as a major supporter how have they evolved?
DK: I have been attending the AIMC since 2011. It is an important annual event that brings together all major stakeholders across the cinema industry in Australia – exhibitors, studios, independent distributors, and a range of suppliers to the industry. HOYTS and Val Morgan are a major supporter of the conference with attendees and also supplying the technical equipment to the conference.
The studio presentations are great with all the upcoming titles covered. There are also a lot of formal and informal meetings and presentations on various parts of the business.
SM: I think this was my 17th AIMC – it’s hard to keep track! Fun fact – I met my husband, Tim Ferguson, at the 2007 AIMC. He was the host! So, AIMC holds a special place in my heart. This convention is always an incredible opportunity to connect with everyone in the industry and get a sneak peek at upcoming content. It’s invaluable for gaining insights into the business landscape for the year ahead. And what a landscape it is!
B&T: What’s been the film you were most excited to see?
DK: So many! Gladiator II and Wicked are amazing – I’ve seen them both. They are locked in box office success. I was super impressed with Better Man, the Robbie Williams biopic. It was a visual feast and interesting creative interpretation with a lot of heart and great music.
Learn more about Val Morgan’s upcoming film slate here.
SM: This question feels a bit unfair—how can I choose just one? It should really be, ‘What movie are you looking forward to each month next year?’ There’s just so much great content coming! If I had to pick one, it would be Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (13 February) – this feels like a reunion with an old friend. I was smiling ear to ear while watching the footage.
B&T: The overall cinema experience just keeps getting bigger & better, any new innovations you are excited about?
DK: Over the past decade the cinema industry has transformed significantly with digital projection, new builds, major renovations, new seating concepts and concepts such as D-BOX, Screen X and 4DX. The business is constantly evolving and has had over $500m investment in the last ten years.
HOYTS has recently opened our 60th cinema across Australia and New Zealand with a cinema in Ipswich. It features all of the new guest experiences we have been developing – daybeds, luxury recliners in general admission, D-BOX motion seats, Treat City interactive candy bar, Artie’s Bar and Café and a newly designed selfie wall. We continue to keep an eye on some of the innovations that are being introduced in other markets around the world but the cinema circuit in Australia is world leading.
SM: Next year is going to be huge. Despite the challenges brought on by the 2023 Actors’ and Writers’ strikes, 2024 has been incredibly strong, and 2025 looks even better. The slate for next year promises content consistency and depth that will drive growth across the board.
There are some massive titles coming. Monthly highlights include: Wolf Man (16 January), Captain America: Brave New World (13 February), Disney’s Snow White (20 March), A Minecraft Movie (3 April) Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (22 May), How to Train Your Dragon (12 June), Jurassic World: Rebirth (3 July), Freakier Friday (7 August), The Bad Guys 2 (18 September), Tron: Ares (9 October), Wicked Part Two (20 November), and Avatar 3 (December). There are so many more. With these high-profile releases and a wide variety of genres, cinema is set to thrive and continue drawing audiences to the big screen.
B&T: Cinema is thriving. Do advertisers realise the full potential & power of Cinema?
DK: Some brands recognise the power of the Cinema and are making the most of it, but there will always be room for other brands to embrace the medium. It really comes down to truly understanding the opportunity – the audiences and the experiences they can align with, alongside the brand outcomes Cinema has proven to deliver.
B&T: Can you share your top three takeaways from the Convention?
SM: The quality of Australian content is outstanding. There are some incredible local films hitting cinemas in 2025. Two major ones to watch out for: The Correspondent (April), which tells the story of journalist Peter Greste—played by Richard Roxburgh and directed by Kriv Stenders (Red Dog); and Kangaroo (date TBC), which follows Chris ‘Brolga’ Barns, the founder of the Kangaroo Sanctuary in Alice Springs. This one’s going to be an instant family classic, with joeys that are the cutest things to hit the big screen since… well, you’ll have to see for yourself!
Compelling, rich stories are making a big return to the big screen. Some highlights include: Conclave (9 January), a mystery thriller directed by Edward Berger and written by Peter Straughan, based on Robert Harris’s 2016 novel; A Complete Unknown (23 January), which delves into the life of music legend Bob Dylan; and September 5 (30 January), a gripping look at the 1972 Munich Olympic hostage crisis through the lens of the ABC Sports crew covering the event.
In April, we have The Amateur (10 April), starring Rami Malek as a CIA cryptographer seeking revenge after his fiancée’s death, and The Accountant 2 (24 April), with Ben Affleck reprising his role from the 2016 hit. Then there is F1 (26 June), starring Brad Pitt as a retired Formula One driver who returns to mentor a younger talent. And that is just the first half of the year, with so much more coming!
The audience remains at the heart of the industry. The focus is on understanding what truly resonates with viewers, whether that means bringing diverse, authentic stories to the big screen or enhancing the overall cinema-going experience. Every decision, from the films being made to how they are presented, is about ensuring audiences feel connected, engaged, and eager to return for more.
