073: Deep Dive with Sue Maslin AO

Kirsty Stark sits down with Sue Maslin AO, the producer behind films including The Dressmaker, Japanese Story and Road to Nhill, to work through one of the biggest questions currently facing the industry: why aren't good Australian films being seen in cinemas? Sue explains why she believes the theatrical model is structurally broken, from financing and release models to a level of marketing support that puts us at a disadvantage against international films. She also shares some real ideas for change, including a private equity film fund and marketing rebates. The episode also includes a breakdown of the work Sue did behind the scenes of The Dressmaker to build their audience and reach over $20m at the Australian box office just over a decade ago. With the Society of Australian Cinema Pioneers announcing last week that they will be recognising Sue as their 2026 National Cinema Pioneer of the Year, this is a timely interview and well worth a listen for anyone working in feature films in Australia.