New Streaming Service Ozflix to Launch on Australia Day

Ozflix, a new video-on-demand service dedicated to streaming every Australian film ever made, is set to launch at 6:00pm on Australia Day, 26th January, 2017. Acclaimed by Australia's most influential directors, producers and actors, Ozflix will begin streaming with around 250 Australian films and three free original content shows, with more free content to be announced.

"There are over 2,000 Australian movies in existence, from the world's first narrative feature film (The Story of the Kelly Gang, 1906) to modern classics like Crocodile Dundee and The Castle through to new releases such as The Dressmaker and Mad Max: Fury Road. We are committed to making each and every Australian feature film available via Ozflix," says Ozflix CEO Ron V. Brown, who has been producing Australian screen content since the 1970s.

Join Ozflix via ozflix.tv and watch free original content shows and affordable Pay-Per-View streaming of Australian movies from Australia Day. Watch the Ozflix launch video

Chair of AFI-AACTA, producer, distributor, and Co-Director of Ozflix Alan Finney supervised the release of some of Australia's greatest films including Mad Max, Romper Stomper, Bad Boy Bubby, Muriel's Wedding and many more.

"We've been very lucky to have all the major Hollywood studio distribution companies get behind Ozflix, as well as most Australian distributors and countless independent filmmakers. Ozflix will stream films from Universal Pictures, Warner Bros, Village Roadshow, Studio Canal and many more," says Alan.

Ozflix will also stream many Australian films globally, providing a unique platform for the world to view Australian cinema.

As the first streaming service devoted entirely to Australian films, Ozflix has received widespread applause from the Australian film industry. Showbiz legends and luminaries who have voiced their support include directors George Miller, Fred Schepisi, Bruce Beresford, Jocelyn Moorhouse, Scott Hicks, Rolf de Heer, Stephan Elliot, Kriv Stenders, and Clayton Jacobson; and actors Claudia Karvan, Deborah Mailman, John Jarrett, Deborra-Lee Furness, Sigrid Thornton, Stephen Curry and Kerry Armstrong.

"This is basically an art gallery for Australian cinema," says George Miller, director (Mad Max, Happy Feet).

"For Australians who have effectively paid for at least a proportion of the making of these films, to have full access is only right and just," says Rolf de Heer, director (Ten Canoes, Bad Boy Bubby, Charlie's Country).

"We have such a great history of making really, bloody great films in this country," says Deborah Mailman, actor (Bran Nue Dae, The Sapphires).

Ozflix will deliver 50% of each rental fee directly to the distributor or filmmaker, making it a boon for independent filmmakers who already see its potential to change the face of the Australian film industry. "I'm hoping Ozflix is the game changer," says director/producer Clayton Jacobson (Kenny).

Ozflix viewers will pay $6.79 to stream a new release and $3.79 for all other films. A curated Bundle Of The Week will offer five films for $5.79.

Curation is one of Ozflix's biggest points of difference from existing streaming services.

Australia's most celebrated actors and directors will lead a discovery of their careers and favourite films through Ozflix's flagship FAQ program. The free feature length (60 minute) program will be hosted by some of Australia's most esteemed film critics including David Stratton (ABC, SBS), Tom Ryan (The Age, The Australian), film critic and historian Paul Harris (3RRR, 3AW) and film writer Michaela Boland (The Australian). The launch episode will feature actor/director John Jarrett (Wolf Creek) hosted by Tom Ryan. A new FAQ episode will be released each month, with upcoming episodes including Fred Schepisi, Robert Connolly and many more.

@TheFlix is a 20-minute program that takes viewers through the Bundle Of The Week. Each week hosts Thomas Caldwell (radio host and film critic) and Rochelle Siemienowicz (film critic, PhD in Australian cinema) will discuss five films fitting a different theme or topic, providing commentary and highlight clips.

The third original program Ozflix will stream at launch is Bytes, a short three-minute teaser show that aims to introduce Australian classics to millennials. Bytes will also be distributed via Ozflix's social channels, with Glenn Dunks (radio host and film critic) and Rain Fuller (actor, presenter) alternating as hosts. More free content will be announced.

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