We’re headed to the Australian International Movie Convention! Here’s what attendees can expect.

We’re getting ready for the Australia International Movie Convention Powered by Vista Group (AIMC)! It’s an important event for the Australasia film industry that provides opportunities to network with local and international executives from exhibition, distribution, the filmmaking community, and cinema equipment suppliers under one roof.  

Ahead of AIMC, we spoke with Olga Aleksan about trends in the Australasia cinema market, what attendees can expect at the show, and how attendees can connect with us! 

Hi Olga! Before we begin, could you tell us about your role at Christie? 

I’m a senior regional sales manager for Australia and New Zealand. While my primary focus is sales, I oversee all facets of the cinema business and act as a single point of contact for the region.  

It’s busy, and I love it because no two days are ever the same! 

Could you tell us a little about AIMC and what attendees can expect at the show? 

AIMC is a very important event in the Australasian cinema industry. It’s similar to CinemaCon [the annual trade show for the cinema industry in Las Vegas] but delivers value for local exhibitors with film premieres, presentations, and networking opportunities without the high cost of travel to the U.S. AIMC runs from Monday, October 28 to Friday, November 1.  

We’re taking part in three sessions: the first is a sponsored session examining Variable Dynamic Range with Brian Claypool, our executive vice president of Cinema, at 2:40 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30 at The HOYTS Theatre. The second is a panel discussion on sustainability – a very hot topic in the industry – on Thursday, October 31 at 8:30 a.m. I’ll join industry leaders to discuss everything you need to know about the topic – but were afraid to ask! – at The HOYTS Theatre. And lastly, we’re hosting partner workshops to showcase our new CineLife+™ RBe projectors and IMB-S4 integrated media block. 

We’re the exclusive projection sponsor of the show. What does that mean? 

2024 marks the 15th year we’ve sponsored AIMC!  

This year, we’re working closely with HOYTS Cinema Technology Group to install three Christie RGB pure laser projectors into The HOYTS Theatre. This large auditorium can accommodate up to 1,800 guests and it won’t be a standard configuration—we’ll have three screens on stage—one center screen flanked by a screen on each side. 

Attendees can experience Christie CP4435-RGB pure laser projection on the 12-meter (39-foot) center screen, and the 6.4-meter-wide (21-foot-wide) side screens will be illuminated by two M 4K25 RGB projectors.  

Why are you excited to attend AIMC this year? 

I’m excited for two reasons: first, it’s a great opportunity to meet with clients and engage in insightful conversations that a formal business meeting might not allow. Hearing about the challenges and experiences of exhibitors helps me to consider how our company can best support them.  

Second is the atmosphere of the event. It’s a time when the industry comes together to celebrate another year of cinema magic and the value it brings to society. Everyone is friendly and passionate about what they do. It leaves me excited to return year after year! 

You have years of experience in the Australian cinema market. Could you tell us about any changes or trends in the marketplace? 

Exhibitors are very interested in sustainability, reducing carbon emissions, and managing energy consumption. In Australia, electricity is very expensive, so we’re talking about a significant amount of money to operate a cinema. The trend is to find ways to reduce emissions while cutting electricity costs, which includes using energy-efficient laser projection solutions. 

PLF is also on everyone’s mind, but I feel the market is separating into two streams. Premium Large Format is very popular, but we also have a number of smaller, boutique auditoriums with amazing AV technology, gourmet food, and drinks. It’s a full evening out, designed for a local audience.  

What's the best way for readers to connect with you, either online or at the show?   

You’ll find me at AIMC in the hallways between sessions, meetings, and screenings! Please stop me to say ‘hi.’ If you’d like to connect before or after the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn.  

And lastly, we’re a company of people who love cinema! What does cinema mean to you, and what’s your favorite film? 

To me, the cinema is a magical place, where a window opens into stories that draw you in, letting you feel and experience them. It’s an escape from the routine of everyday life.  

My favorite film is “Inside Out.” I saw it at CinemaCon when Dolby first introduced Dolby Cinema and it blew my mind! I was sitting in the very, very last row of a balcony but it didn’t matter. It was the best experience both visually and emotionally.