The strategic alliance will focus on acquiring and releasing independent films, with horror feature ‘4 X 4: The Event’ and Australian thriller ‘Feeding Ground’ among its first acquisitions.

HOYTS Cinemas and Kismet Movies have announced an exclusive strategic partnership to acquire and distribute feature films across Australia and New Zealand, bringing together one of the region’s largest cinema exhibition networks with an established independent film distributor.

The agreement will see the two companies collaborate on film acquisitions and theatrical releases, with a particular focus on independent productions and Australian stories.

The partnership combines HOYTS’ extensive cinema network and audience reach with Kismet’s experience in acquiring and distributing independent films. Importantly, titles secured through the venture will not be restricted to HOYTS locations, with releases planned across the broader Australian and New Zealand exhibition market.

HOYTS Group President and CEO Damian Keogh said the agreement reflected growing audience demand for distinctive independent films and an opportunity to strengthen the company’s involvement in film acquisition and distribution.

“We are delighted to partner with the Kismet team, whose outstanding track record has brought a diverse range of independent films to cinema screens across Australia and New Zealand,” Keogh said.

“This partnership enables us to secure and support great content earlier, while using HOYTS’ national footprint and audience reach to maximise its theatrical potential. It is also a genuine investment in Australian film, backing strong local stories from the outset.”

The deal arrives as cinema operators and distributors continue to explore new strategies for connecting independent productions with theatrical audiences in an evolving exhibition landscape.

Kismet Movies co-founder Troy Lum said the partnership reflected renewed confidence in the commercial prospects of independent cinema.

“It is a market that is changing rapidly and by working hand in hand with a major exhibition chain, we feel the partnership will be best placed to take advantage of this evolving landscape,” Lum said.

“The current box office results show the opportunities in new kinds of content and delivery of that content.”

The companies have already secured two titles under the agreement, including the Neon horror production 4 X 4: The Event and Australian psychological thriller Feeding Ground.

Directed by Alex Ullom, 4 X 4: The Event follows eight contestants who enter an illegal livestream competition built around sensory assault, where participants must kill or be killed using only items they can order online. The film is scheduled for a major US theatrical release in the northern summer of 2027.

The second acquisition, Feeding Ground, marks the feature directorial debut of Nathan Lacey and Nick Lacey.

The Australian psychological thriller is produced by Brendan Donoghue, Nick Lacey, Nathan Lacey and Ian Booth, with major production investment from Screen Australia. The project was developed and produced in association with Screenwest and Lotterywest.

The acquisition underscores the partnership’s stated commitment to supporting Australian filmmaking alongside international independent productions.

For HOYTS, the agreement represents an opportunity to extend its involvement beyond exhibition into the acquisition and distribution of theatrical content, while providing Kismet with access to the scale and marketing reach of a major cinema operator.

The companies say they intend to build on the initial acquisitions with further releases tailored to changing audience tastes, while maintaining broad distribution across cinema networks in both countries.

Australian and New Zealand release dates for 4 X 4: The Event and Feeding Ground have yet to be announced.