Greg ‘Sparrow’ Graham, B&T’s bon vivant, editorial consultant and MFA Hall of Famer, recently donned his film critic hat for the 77th Australian International Movie Convention (AIMC), held in the Gold Coast. In this third article with Val Morgan, he chats with Suzanne Stretton-Brown, marketing director, Australia and New Zealand, Universal Pictures and Guy Burbidge, managing director, Val Morgan.
Stretton-Brown and Guy Burbidge shared their most anticipated watches and the power of advertising at “the most unmissable event on our industry calendar”.
B&T: What’s been your highlight of the Convention?
Suzanne Stretton-Brown: Honestly, the highlight is always reconnecting with industry colleagues and experiencing the incredible content from all the studios. While studios and exhibitors might be competitors on paper, we’re all united by a shared passion for this business.
Guy Burbidge: Seeing the upcoming studio and distributor slates is a real highlight. It gets the team energised for the upcoming year, as we start thinking about the opportunities and potential and cultural moments that brands can be a part of.
Before AIMC kicks off, we hold a conference that brings together all our teams from across Australia and New Zealand. It’s a great opportunity for everyone to connect, share ideas, and get aligned for what is ahead.
B&T: How many AIMCs have you attended & what do you look forward to most?
SSB: I’ve actually lost track, I think around 18 AIMC conferences. It remains the unmissable event on our industry calendar, where the top leaders and visionaries in film come together to have crucial conversations about keeping cinema vibrant and thriving. I love showcasing the exciting films from Universal Pictures and Warner Bros and engaging with partners in forward-thinking discussions about the future of theatrical experiences.
B&T: Which film are you proud to present/preview or most excited to see?
SSB: I was incredibly proud to present our marketing highlights for WICKED with my team. The exhibition community has been with us on this journey to bring WICKED to the big screen, and it was a true privilege for us to showcase our campaign on the eve of the tour arriving in Sydney for the Global Premiere.
Looking ahead to 2025, there are some thrilling projects across both studios. The live-action reimagining of How to Train Your Dragon looks spectacular from what we’ve seen. Micheal, Universal’s biographical musical drama, is another standout. With the proven commercial success of films like Bohemian Rhapsody and Elvis, this incredible story—set against a backdrop of nostalgia and iconic music—has the potential to make a huge cultural impact.
For Warner Bros., Brad Pitt’s Formula 1 film is exciting. Featuring leading drivers of the 2024 season, the movie was filmed over 18 months at ten Grand Prix circuits around the world, including Silverstone, Spa, Monza, Las Vegas, and Suzuka. The immersion into the world of Formula 1 will be unparalleled, and it could become one of the defining global entertainment moments of 2025.
GB: Definitely Gladiator II – I can confirm it did live up to my expectations. Better Man is also a triumph if I’m allowed to have another.
Learn more about Val Morgan’s upcoming film slate.
B&T: What are your predictions for next year, with the slates you’ve seen will cinema continue to thrive?
SSB: Tentpole films are set to thrive, with Disney boasting a great lineup for 2025. I’m particularly intrigued by the reimagining of SNOW WHITE and the eagerly awaited Avatar: Fire and Ash, the next installment in the blockbuster franchise. For Universal, I’m predicting JURASSIC WORLD REBORN will be a massive box office hit. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. is set to launch SUPERMAN, the first film in the new DC Universe. With James Gunn—renowned for the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy—at the helm, superfans are buzzing with excitement to see his take on this iconic character. Paramount’s MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: The Final Reckoning has the potential to be the biggest film in the series.
Beyond these tentpole releases, smaller films that cater to discerning audiences remain vital for the health of our industry. One standout is Universal’s THE BRUTALIST, which I predict will be a strong Oscar contender next year.
B&T: How can brands get more involved in cinema?
GB: Brands should leverage Cinema’s power to engage audiences in ways other channels can’t. Cinema allows for creative storytelling, allowing brands to memorably connect with consumers —especially when capturing attention is more challenging than ever. When paired with the biggest and most incredible content that attracts hard-to-reach audiences, it’s a no-brainer. Any brand with a product or message to share should incorporate cinema into its media mix.
B&T: What’s a great example of a brand embracing the medium to its incredible potential?
GB: We’ve executed numerous campaigns, but the Lexus partnership across Australia’s most premium cinema spaces sets a new benchmark for brand integration. Now in its second year, this partnership brings Lexus’s vision of personalised luxury to life through high-quality, memorable experiences like bespoke brand activations and surprise-and-delight moments, all crafted to elevate the premium cinema experience.
B&T: What excites you most about the future of cinema and what are your top takeaways from the Convention?
GB: The confidence in the future of the industry. It’s fair to say we’ve had a few challenges in the last couple of years but the content slate for 2025/2026 looks to be extremely exciting with a mix of huge franchise storylines and new exciting local and global content being created. It’s going to be a big few years.
SSB: The distributors’ slates were truly impressive, inspiring great confidence in a strong 2025 rebound for the cinema industry.
The industry is united in its mission to keep cinema thriving, with distributors investing in incredible content and exhibitors enhancing the cinematic experience with new immersive innovations like IMAX, 4DX, and dining options.
There’s a shared commitment to supporting local Australian films to help them grow as a vital part of the annual box office.
Together, these takeaways paint an exciting future where collaboration and innovation will ensure cinema remains a premier entertainment destination.
