ACMI Stories & Ideas Folgen

Alternative Pathways to an Infinite Audience The fast-changing evolution of the distribution landscape is one of the most vexing and unnerving issues facing the screen industry today. New and fragmented consumer practices have severely disrupted the domination of the traditional release chain, while a deluge of cheap digital content erodes the profitability of alternative revenue streams. In this increasingly crowded market, competing for eyeballs – and distribution dollars – has never been tougher for independent documentaries, no matter the form. But is the news all bad? In an adapt-or-die scenario, filmmakers are getting creative. Crowdsourcing, “event” screenings, on-demand and multi-platform releases, as well as a host of clever campaign and social media strategies are just some of the ways filmmakers are shining a light on their work and breaking new ground. In this session, we draw on the lessons of two very different productions – webseries Black As (David Batty, 2016) and feature documentary Chasing Asylum (Eva Orner, 2016) – to posit the question: can we turn challenge into opportunity?

The Kid Warrior himself, Xiuhtezcatl (shu-tez-cat) Martinez appeared in this special schools-only presentation during his debut Australian Tour. Meet the 16 year old American Indigenous eco warrior and hip hop artist who is leading a new generation of environmental change makers, taking a brave stand on climate change and environmental issues, and reminding us of what’s at stake for his generation. Xiuhtezcatl has a strong message based on his Indigenous heritage to impart to Australian students about youth empowerment around climate change, positive and creative environmental action, and Indigenous connection to the natural world and culture. As Youth Director of the international youth activist group, Earth Guardians, Xiuhtezcatl has spoken to many students around the world, addressed the United Nations General Assembly, served on the US President’s Youth Council, and received the US Community Service Award from President Obama.

Creative Entrepreneurship Spotlight - The story of CultureLabel.com & other creative industries pioneers Peter Tullin is a serial entrepreneur and Co-Founder of CultureLabel.com, a venture capital funded ecommerce site retailing art and design products from leading international culture brands including Tate, V&A and British Museum. Having grown the idea from scratch CultureLabel.com was successfully sold in 2014. He is also the Co-Founder of global ideas conference REMIX Summits which takes place in cities including New York, London and Sydney. This talk is an opportunity to learn from the lessons of a 5-year journey from the inception of a creative industries start-up to the point of sale and exit - a personal take on the ups and downs of running your own creative enterprise. Through REMIX and their co-working space from creative entrepreneurs in Shoreditch, Peter also comes into contact with some of the leading innovators in the creative industries and he will also look at who is operating ahead of the curve and how are they changing the landscape? He also analyses some of the trends that sit behind their success, the support mechanisms that have helped them and the emerging business models and alternative funding and investment streams they are tapping into.