Australian films at the local box office in 2008

Thursday 14 January 2009

Screen Australia analysis of the Motion Picture Distribution Association of Australia (MPDAA) 2008 box office results has found that Australian films earned $35.5 million in 2008. This represents 3.8 per cent of the total box office of $945.4 million.

Baz Luhrmann’s Australia was the top-grossing Australian film in 2008. The film was released on over 600 screens, achieving a gross of $7.8 million by the end of its opening weekend. Although still in theatrical release, Australia had reached $26.9 million in Australia with worldwide earnings of over US$120 million by the close of 2008.

The multi-award winning debut feature for director/co-writer Elissa Down, The Black Balloon, was the second highest grossing Australian film. The film earned $2.3 million in Australia and has opened across a number of foreign markets, including the US.

Australia’s first-ever official co-production with China, Children of the Silk Road, placed third grossing $1.2 million.

For further information and context on the number of local and internationally produced films with reported box office earnings in Australian cinemas from 1 January to 31 December 2008 go to www.screenaustralia.gov.au/boxoffice

Media enquiries: Victoria Buchan, The Lantern Group, victoria@lanterngroup.com.au
T: (02) 9383 4033    M: 0408 114 864

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