INDEPENDENT CINEMAS AUSTRALIA
A not-for-profit industry association representing independent exhibitors in Australia and New Zealand
We believe independent cinemas are the heart of the community and we are dedicated to supporting them.
For more than 25 years, the ICA has been on a mission to represent and advance the interests of independent exhibitors in an increasingly competitive and complex industry.
We have members in every Australian state and territory, and a partnership with the New Zealand Motion Picture Exhibitors Association that extends our representation across the Tasman.
The strength of our cinemas is in their connection with their local communities whether it’s an arthouse in the city, a regional multiplex, or a single screen in the bush.
Independent cinemas have been an enduring part of the Australian social fabric for over a century, and they remain a strong and vibrant part of the industry. Almost 30% of Australian box office comes through the doors of local independent cinemas.
ICA supports our members to offer quality entertainment at affordable prices, while supporting the community with local employment and working to create a social hub.
We have achieved many things for our members, from the Virtual Print Fee digital conversion program, fantastic consumer promotions through the My Cinema brand to great discounts with leading industry food and beverage suppliers and insurance services.
OUR NUMBERS
Our members large and small have supported each other for over 25 years
MEMBERS ACROSS AUSTRALIA
SITES
SCREENS
MY CINEMA PROMO EXPOSURES
OUR TEAM
Ph: 0417 350 799
E: ceo [at] independentcinemas.com.au
Brett Rosengarten has spent almost 3 decades in the movie industry. Since leaving his role as Sales Director of Roadshow in 2016, Brett has worked on a number of film distribution projects and has consulted for Australian producers. He has also been operating a business completely unrelated to entertainment and has found himself confronted by and dealing with the day to day challenges of operating a small business, as many ICA members do.
Brett Rosengarten officially commenced his role as CEO of ICA with the opening of the 2023 Annual Conference.
E: admin [at] independentcinemas.com.au
Pauline is the association’s administration manager and is always happy to take your call. Never hesitate to get in touch, we are here to help and look forward to welcoming you to the ICA family.
With a background in the food and beverage industry, Keith is responsible for the development and management of the ICA buying group. His objective is to deliver more competitive pricing, enhanced service levels and promotional support, in F&B and utilities.
THE ICA BOARD
Scott is the owner and operator of Scotty’s Cinemas Raymond Terrace and Heddon Greta Drive-in.
Kieren has 17-plus years’ cinema industry experience having founded, built and run Majestic Cinemas since November 2002. He has grown Majestic Cinemas from one site in Nambucca Heads to eight sites across regional Northern NSW and Southeast Queensland.
Kieren has 17-plus years’ cinema industry experience having founded, built and run Majestic Cinemas since November 2002. He has grown Majestic Cinemas from one site in Nambucca Heads to eight sites across regional Northern NSW and Southeast Queensland. Kieren joined the ICA Board in 2005. He served as Treasurer (2006-2008) and President (2008-2014) and served as VP from 2014 to 2022. Kieren steered the association through the major technological change from 35mm film to digital projection, which involved negotiating a funding deal with the major movie studios in Los Angeles.
Sharon is CEO of Dendy Icon Group. Icon launched its film distribution business in Australia in 2002 with handpicked theatrical releases. In 2008, the company acquired one of Australia’s leading independent cinema chains, Dendy Cinemas. Founded some 80 years ago, Dendy operates 43 screens across NSW, Queensland and the ACT.
Katrine started in the industry with Village some 23 years ago. In 1999, she moved from Melbourne to establish CMax Devonport from hardhat stage as general manager.
For Katrine, running a cinema is not about opening the doors and hoping people come. She ensures her audiences are treated well and that every time they enter the foyer, they feel like they are coming home.
After 27 years as an RAAF engineer, Denis returned to his hometown of Merimbula NSW where he established The Picture Show Man cinema under the guidance of the ICA President (then COAA) Harry Waghorn.
The cinema opened in December 1993 and moved to a purpose-built twin cinema in 1997.
Denis joined the association in 1994 and was elected to the Board in 1998. During his tenure he served numerous terms as President and Vice President, and represented the association on The Code of Conduct Committee.
Today, he represents The Picture Show Man cinema on the ICA Board and serves as the Regional Representative for NSW and ACT members.
Craig started in the cinema industry with Odeon Cinemas UK in 1990. In 1999, he moved back home to Australia and pursued management positions in the independent sector. He is currently with the Box Office Promotions group after starting with them on Australia Day 2002, Since 2007 he has been operating the Forum 6 Cinema Wagga.
Manda has worked in various roles in the film industry for the last 13 years, freelancing in film production before joining the team at Wallis Cinema. She joined the programming team in 2019 and was a key contributor to the re-imagining of The Piccadilly Cinema and its business model. Manda is passionate in her support of independent cinemas and believes all Australians have a right to the collective big screen experience. She knows regional cinemas are the heart and soul of many communities and we have lost too may during the pandemic. Living and breathing cinema, live theatre and the performing arts, Manda provides a unique perspective to programming both mainstream and alternative content on cinema screens.
Chris commenced in the industry in 1994 at the historic Regent Cinemas in Ballarat. Since then he and has worked in senior management roles for Village and Hoyts Joint Venture companies as well as Reading Cinemas before Co-Founding Twilight Cinemas (2008) and Showbiz Cinemas (2013). Chris holds an MBA majoring in finance and marketing and also holds qualifications in project management and social sciences specialising in Film, Media and Psychology. Chris is passionate about delivering a cinema experience that is engaging, genuine and respectful.
NZMPEA President since 1987 Mark is the director of the State Cinemas in Nelson, a nine-screen independent cinema operated by Multishowcase Cinemas of NZ. He is also managing director of Cinema Equipment Ltd, and chairman of the Nelson Historic Theatre Trust which operates the Theatre Royal.
PREFERRED SUPPLIERS
We are delighted to recommend the Preferred Suppliers who support our independent cinema family.
