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Ozflix Is The Streaming Service Reinvigorating The Australian Film Industry

The pay-per-view service devoted to Aussie films launches this Australia Day.

We've seldom met an Aussie film we didn't love. And next week, the world will have a dedicated place to go and stream such works of genius thanks to Ozflix, an on-demand service dedicated to offering every Australian film ever made.

It's an idea that began bubbling in Australian producer Ron V. Brown's mind six years ago after he was offered an extremely low fee from a major television network for his independent film, 'Suite for Fleur'.

In previous years, he'd successfully worked with the same television network on indie films though it seemed now, it was all the money they could offer.

"I realised at that point for independent filmmakers in Australia, the funding model and the sustainability was over," Brown, Ozflix CEO told The Huffington Post Australia.

Ozflix founders Rob Brown and Alan Finney.
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Ozflix founders Rob Brown and Alan Finney.

"It was not possible for a lot of independent filmmakers to be able to pay their own way and make films for a living," Brown said.

With over 44 years in the film industry, Brown could see traditional ways of releasing films were shrinking.

What filmmakers needed was a way forward. And so, he met with his producer friend, Alan Finney and the brainstorming began.

Launching on Thursday January 26 at 6pm, users can sign up for free and cherry pick from 250 Australian movies and three free original content shows, with the goal to offer each and every Australian feature film available (there's over 2,000).

Ozflix grew out of the genesis of my need as an independent filmmaker to create a viable and sustainable industry.Ron V. Brown, Australian producer and Ozflix founder

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 with 50 percent of each rental fee going directly to the distributor or filmmaker.

"Ozflix grew out of the genesis of my need as an independent filmmaker to create a viable and sustainable industry," Brown said.

It looks like the streaming service has already achieved that, with Brown and his team being contacted on a daily basis by filmmakers interested in using the platform to release their movie.

And what could be better than more Aussie films? Not much.

BRB, streaming 'Muriel's Wedding.'

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