Innovative answer to declining film distribution options

The recent closing of three iconic independent cinemas - the Valhalla and Chauvel in Sydney and the Lumiere in Melbourne - is sad news for independent filmmakers, but we are not prepared to give up the fight for the hearts and minds of Australian audiences.

I TOLD YOU I WAS ILL: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF SPIKE MILLIGAN will commence a 5 week tour along Australia’s east coast, from Wednesday 24 August, showing at unorthodox venues including RSL, Rugby Clubs, Services and Bowling Clubs.

The film and video production industry is currently worth $435 million to the Australian economy, and over 80% of these businesses employ 4 people or less. We are one of these micro-companies, and to survive, we have to be innovative and rake risks to ensure that our work reaches the widest possible audience.

I TOLD YOU I WAS ILL sold out at the Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane Film Festivals, and our website is generating huge traffic. We began getting requests from Spike fans around the country to bring the film to their town. We realised we needed to come up with a creative solution to reach audiences beyond the festivals and beyond the city venues. So we came up with this bold concept to take the film to the fans and try something completely new.

Led by a life-size doll of Spike, the tour will bring back memories and shed new light on this extraordinary man, voted 'the funniest person of the millennium' by a BBC poll. The project includes radio broadcasts, a live show featuring Spike’s eldest daughter Laura telling stories and reading some of his letters and music by Glenn Cardier who toured with Spike in the 80s. This is followed by a screening of the documentary.

The show will move from classic country cinemas such as the Regent in Murwillumbah and the Star in Portland to the Aussie heartland of Coffs Ex Services, Rooty Hill RSL, Bathurst Golf Club and Shepparton RSL.

Laura's blogging during the tour. Visit her blog at www.spikemilliganlegacy.com/tourblog/