Australian Film Syndicate
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film production |
| Founded | May 1911 |
| Defunct | April 1913 |
| Headquarters | North Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Films |
The Australian Film Syndicate operated as a film production enterprise located in North Sydney, Australia. Author Arthur Wright remarked that although a local draper invested significantly and suffered financial losses, certain projects, such as the cinematic adaptation of his novel Gamblers Gold, achieved notable commercial success.
History
Founded in May 1911, the Syndicate received its funding from a draper and a medical practitioner, both of whom eventually lost their capital, as recounted by Wright. In November 1911, the Australian Film Company was established with a capital of £20,000 to produce films on behalf of the Syndicate; however, this entity was liquidated by 1913.
By June 1911, productions under the Syndicate’s banner included titles like The Octoroon, The Shadow of the Rockies, Black Talbot, and Diamond Cross. During this timeframe, actor EB Williams was associated with the company. The organization encountered multiple legal disputes and operational setbacks, notably a fire that damaged the Melbourne office of the JD Williams Australian Film Company toward the end of 1911.
Cinematographer Lacey Percival verified that six films were created for the Australian Film Syndicate. Although its lifespan was short and marked by financial hardship, the company played a role in the formative years of Australian cinema before ceasing activities after the Australian Film Company’s liquidation in April 1913.
Filmography
- The Golden West (27 March 1911)
- Three Strings to Her Bow (10 April 1911)
- Black Talbot (Previewed 11 August 1911)
- The Diamond Cross (Previewed 11 August 1911)
- Gambler's Gold (November 1911)
- Strike (March 1912)
- The Octoroon
- The Shadow of the Rockies