Why the Australian market needs to close the release window

Day-and-date self-distribution is becoming an increasingly popular and lucrative means of releasing features, so why is no-one acknowledging it asks Ed Gibbs

Last month outgoing Screen Australia CEO Ruth Harley addressed an industry forum at Melbourne’s 37 Degrees South film market on the subject of the traditional release window for feature films. The standard four-month gap between the theatrical screening and the home entertainment release had grown outdated, she said. It was time to look again at the time lag – a key factor contributing to Australia’s record-high piracy habits. “Our audiences are already demanding immediacy and convenience in the form of DIY day-and-date,” she said.

Her comments were welcomed by distributors, particularly those with niche products. Exhibitors weren’t so keen, citing a potential loss in cinema revenue. Others claimed it was high time the window went altogether.

While we’re some way off being able to emulate the US or UK day-and-date models, the prime example being the UK’s release of A Field In England, it was something of a relief to have a rational discussion being offered up in the marketplace. It was, after all, high time the pot was stirred and shaken.