Lexlab Entertainment launches to help Australian films find cinema audiences – Lexlab has launched Lexlab Entertainment, a standalone division built to help independent distributors reach cinema audiences across Australia.
The new division will provide media planning and buying support for film releases. Lexlab describes the service as an on-demand media team for distributors that need specialist campaign support without adding permanent overheads.
Why It Matters
For TV Central readers, the launch shows how hard Australian screen stories still need to work for attention. Cinema audiences are returning, but local films must compete with global studio titles, streaming launches and major sport for visibility.
Lexlab says the new division follows campaign work with local distributors including Monster Pictures and Rialto Distribution. The agency says those projects have helped deliver more than $125 million at the box office.
Launch Support
As part of the launch, Lexlab Entertainment is offering media support worth up to $10,000 for eligible local film releases.
First-release campaigns with a minimum $50,000 media spend can receive either a no-charge $5,000 video boost or a bespoke campaign landing page. Australian-made films can receive support doubled to $10,000.
The company says the investment will focus on high-attention formats. Those include YouTube, pre-roll and broad-reach broadcast video on demand, where distributors can reach potential ticket buyers before and during a release window.
Box Office Pressure
Lexlab founder Alfie Lagos said independent Australian films have a clear opportunity, but stronger cinema attendance does not guarantee stronger local results.
The release points to Australian box office figures showing local films earned $17.1 million across the first half of 2026. That was up from around $12 million a year earlier, while the local share of the national box office rose from 2.33 per cent to 3.46 per cent.
Lexlab notes that more than half of that result came from two studio-backed titles filmed locally. Excluding those releases, many independent Australian films still fought for a much smaller share of the market.
What Lexlab Offers
Lexlab Entertainment will support distributors with media planning and buying while allowing them to keep existing marketing, creative and agency relationships in place.
The division has also launched a self-serve Box Office Predictor for distributors. Lexlab says the tool uses Australian campaign data to provide an indicative opening-weekend range before a media budget is committed.
Monster Pictures CEO Grant Hardie said Lexlab’s approach had increased visibility for the distributor and supported stronger box office outcomes.
The launch offer is set to run until 30 September 2026, with Lexlab indicating it may be extended if demand is strong.
For more Australian cinema coverage, visit TV Central’s Cinema section. More details about the new division are available at Lexlab Entertainment.
