About Dendy

The Dendy Icon group is one of Australia’s leading independent cinema and film distributors. Comprising of Icon Film Distribution, Dendy Cinemas and video on demand service Dendy Direct.

The group focuses on quality feature films, TV and alternative content within the Australian and New Zealand markets.

The group is owned by Mel Gibson and long-time producing partner Bruce Davey, who are the key principals behind the independent film company Icon Productions. Credits for Icon Productions include critically acclaimed and award winning titles such as Braveheart, What Women Want, Passion of the Christ, We Were Soldiers and Apocalypto.

Icon Film Distribution

Launched in Australia in 2002, Icon Film Distribution releases 10-15 hand-picked theatrical titles per annum. Drawing on its expertise in script analysis and development, Icon sources content from the world’s most prestigious film festivals, international film-markets and directly from producers. Icon Film is an ‘all rights’ business that distributes content throughout theatrical, home entertainment, ancillary, pay per view, digital, as well as pay and free television channels. Since inception, Icon’s titles have generated over $300 million at the box office in Australia and New Zealand including the following acclaimed releases:

• 12 Years a Slave
• Zero Dark Thirty
• The Queen
• The Iron Lady
• Slumdog Millionaire
• RED
• La Vie en Rose
• Death at a Funeral

Dendy Cinemas

Icon entered the exhibition business in 2008, acquiring one of Australia’s leading independent cinema chains, Dendy Cinemas. Founded over 70 years ago, Dendy Cinemas operates 27 screens across New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT, exhibiting the best in quality cinema and alternative content. As well as its core film programming, Dendy Cinemas is home to the vibrant Dendy Artsprogram which features Opera, great dramatic productions with National Theatre Live and Ballet. Dendy Cinemas proudly supports the local filmmaking and arts community through sponsorship of NIDA, Sydney Film Festival awards, Tropfest and Flickerfest. Icon also maintains a 50% ownership of The Bridgeway and Tauranga cinemas in New Zealand.

Dendy Direct

2014 saw the Dendy Icon group launch Dendy Direct, its video on demand service that offers movies and TV programs to rent and to own on a broad variety of devices. Dendy Direct presents curated collections of quality cinema from all around the globe in a fresh and exciting way. This on demand movie service provides consumers with an all-encompassing experience of the Dendy brand at home or on-the-go, creating an exciting synergy between exhibition and digital consumption.