The PADC discusses the Future of Screens at latest Commune event
Perth’s advertising, media and screen industries came together at Palace Cinemas for the PADC’s latest event in their Commune series, The Future of Screens, sponsored by Val Morgan and Beautiful Pictures.
The evening explored how changing audience behaviours, new technology and Western Australia’s growing production capability are reshaping the way stories are created, distributed and experienced.
The evening was opened by PADC Patron René Migliore, who posed a central question for the discussion: “What does the changing screen landscape mean for the way we create, distribute and consume ideas?”
The panel brought together three perspectives from across the screen ecosystem: Michelle Hawkins from Val Morgan and CINEads, representing cinema, media and audiences; James Grandison from Perth Film Studios, bringing the production and screen-industry perspective; and Matty Limpus, PADC committee member and Executive Producer at Sandbox Productions, whose experience spans advertising, branded content and entertainment.
A key theme was the continued strength and evolution of cinema audiences. Despite an increasingly fragmented media landscape and more competition for attention than ever, cinema continues to provide something audiences value: an immersive, shared experience. Encouragingly, that experience is resonating particularly strongly with younger audiences.
The changing cultural mix of Australian cinema audiences was also discussed, including the strong performance of international films. Bollywood cinema in particular continues to grow its Australian audience, with its appeal extending beyond traditional audiences and demonstrating an appetite for a much broader range of stories on the big screen.
Closer to home, Perth Film Studios represents an exciting new chapter for WA’s screen industry. The discussion highlighted the Studios’ ambition to welcome productions across the spectrum, from smaller local and short-form projects through to major national and international productions. And the opportunity this creates to grow local skills, creativity and production capability.
Inevitably, AI entered the conversation. While its rapidly expanding role as a creative and production tool was acknowledged, the mood was optimistic about the enduring value of human creativity, ingenuity and lived experience. Ultimately, the conversation returned to one simple idea: technology and screens will continue to change, but great storytelling and crafty remains fundamental.
Whether a story appears in a cinema, on television, on a phone or on a platform yet to emerge, good storytelling transcends screen formats, and distinctly human stories, well told, will always have the power to connect.
