A new Australian movie streaming service called OzFlix has been scheduled to go live in the first half of 2016. The service will be unveiled via marketing campaign on Australia Day.

Co-founder and veteran film and TV producer Ron Brown said the new service will start with 250 to 400 movies. Brown co-founded OzFlix with his partner in the venture and the current chair of the Australian Film Institute (AFI) Alan Finney.

Brown and Finney hope to have 1000 titles on the service by the end of its first year operation and eventually every Australian movies in three years operation, The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) reported.

“At the end of three years I'd like to have everything... We'll eventually have every Aussie movie ever. That is our objective,” Brown said.

Brown went back through his emails and found that he first mentioned the idea of “OzFlix” on April 22, 2006. At the time, Australian television company Foxtel rebuffed the idea saying, “Nobody likes Australian movies.” Brown disagreed with Foxtel and said “I don't think every Australian film is a great film, but every Australian film deserves to find whatever audience it can.”

Through “OzFlix,” its co-founders aim to give people a “greater overview” of the film industry. Australian actors, producers and directors have already lent their support for the project. Dr. George Miller of “Mad Max,” and Stephan Elliott of “Priscilla: Queen Of The Desert” have filmed their set of promotional videos for the service, SMH added.

“It will fill a hunger among up-and-coming filmmakers. We have a very proud and substantial and creatively valuable industry in this country, though a lot of people don't realise that,” Finney said.

Meanwhile, National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) general manager of collection Meg Labrum revealed that no deal has been finalised. However, Labrum said NFSA and the service founders are both “committed” to get Australian films into the limelight.

“OzFlix” will feature Australian movies only but the service will be available in various countries.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.

RELATED STORIES