The Future of Australian Festivals in a World of On-Demand Entertainment

It’s fair to say that the internet has forever transformed the world of entertainment. Some companies have successfully leveraged this to their advantage, creating incredibly successful business models. Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, and other brands have leveraged the interconnectedness of the global economy to their advantage.

Grappling With a Changing Global Demand

Due to soaring consumer demand online, other entertainment platforms have also experienced a golden age, such as the casino gaming industry. It has been experiencing phenomenal demand and growth, especially since the start of this decade.

While convenience, security, and mass adoption have been the main catalysts, one of the primary battles conventional casinos have faced from online ones is that they can offer a bespoke market to a global audience. The online casino at LeoVegas is an example of this: operating in over a dozen countries and allowing players to access its services with just a few swipes on their smartphone.

Down Under, the story is more of the same, and the onus is on physical festivals to prove their worth in a world of ultra-convenience. In the early days, some believed that the rise of the internet and on-demand entertainment would eventually render conventional festivals obsolete, primarily due to their cost-effectiveness and convenience.

Channelling Proven Factors That Work

Sure, it might be easy to kick back at home and watch a few things on Netflix or Prime. But, for ardent film fans and festivalgoers, this viewing experience falls short of capturing the essence of going to the cinema for the first time and experiencing a new film with others.

The proliferation of online communities has resulted in a wave of new fan bases emerging. However, for many people, there’s still no substitute for attending a festival in person and discussing film or music with someone who shares an equal level of passion.

With hit musicals based on iconic films like Back To The Future still finding huge success and touring theatres ranging from London’s West End to Sydney, this is perhaps the strongest positive that in-person events have in their arsenal.

There is no substitute for live performance; even when watching online, it’s impossible to truly replicate that atmosphere. By embracing this decisive factor, Australian festivals will be able to thrive in a world that is becoming increasingly digital.

Working In Harmony?

Some festivals have sought to capture the millions of fans worldwide who would still want to attend a festival online. While it may not have the same appeal for many people, companies that have successfully streamed their festivals or sold cheaper e-tickets have been able to generate a profit from their ideas.

Streaming is becoming such a massive part of entertainment, fuelled by on-demand entertainment as well as influencers and a world of 24/7 news, that the industry is consistently looking for ways to.

One of the most important elements of in-person festivals is the traditions that have been passed down through generations. In Cannes, for instance, arguably the most revered film festival on Earth, long-standing ovations are one of the hallmarks of the event.

That’s not to say everyone is on board with getting on their feet and clapping for ten minutes at a time. Still, there are elements of physical festivals that aren’t replicated in a digital setting. While this might be a positive for some, the rise of in-demand entertainment, e-tickets, and online festival viewing has created a market that has emerged and adapted to new types of consumer demand.

Summary

Australia remains the hub for film festivals in the Southern Hemisphere, with Sydney and Melbourne being the most notable examples. They bring in film goers from right across the world, but specifically from Oceania.

Budding filmmakers from Down Under, including Aussies, Kiwis, and Pacific Island nations, all congregate at these two landmark festivals. Although on-demand entertainment has changed the way we watch films or listen to music, there will always be a market for influential names in the industry to come together and experience new films in a conventional setting.

While it may be more challenging to get these ideas off the ground as the industry competes with digital entertainment, there is still a strong future ahead for Australian festivals, whether they are film festivals in Sydney or music festivals on the West Coast. There might be more of a switch to digital festivals, but it’s hard to see a situation where they disappear entirely — at least in the short term.