ABOUT

The Future Factory represents the next exciting chapter in Nigel Rennard’s illustrious journey through the music and entertainment industry. The Future Factory is a multifaceted enterprise with the intention to leave an indelible mark on the Australian entertainment landscape. Nigel Rennard the founder has a dynamic history spanning over three decades, Nigel, has tirelessly championed a diverse range of projects and endeavours that have shaped the very fabric of our industry.

1983-1992: Promoting International Tours In those early years, we blazed a trail by promoting international tours for iconic acts such as The Dead Kennedy's, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Screamin Jay Hawkins, The Cramps, D.R.I., and Morbid Angel. The stage was set for our journey into the heart of the music industry.

1985-2015: Music Distribution and Beyond Our story unfolded as we embarked on music distribution. Bazaar Records became a household name for music enthusiasts nationwide, representing revered labels like 4AD, Beggars Banquet, Restless, Metalblade, Rhino Records, and Rough Trade. We didn't stop at our shores; we attended international music markets in the U.S. and Europe, forging connections that would define our path.

1987: The Birth of Siren In 1987, we birthed Siren, a company initially focused on music distribution. But as our journey progressed, so did our scope, expanding into video distribution in 1994.

Siren's Growth Siren evolved into a full-service distribution company, becoming the custodians of labels like Manga UK, Madman Entertainment, and Chinatown Video. The Pokemon franchise, licensed in 1998, catalysed our ascent to becoming one of the largest independent distributors in Australia. Our turnover reached a zenith of $12,000,000, with other successful acquisitions, such as The Samurai series and Monkey TV series.

Transition to the Digital Age The dawn of DVD in the early 2000s necessitated a shift. We transitioned into a specialist licensing company, outsourcing distribution to Shock Records. Our catalogue, now consisting of films like "KUNDUN," "LEAVING LAS VEGAS," "CLERKS," "DEAD MAN," "LOST HIGHWAY," "CHASING AMY," and many others, commanded a turnover of approximately $3-$4 million annually.

2001-2006: Expansion and Partnerships During this phase, Siren's operations steadily expanded, fostering alliances with talented filmmakers and artists. Our core vision remained unwavering—to release provocative, genre-defining films and documentaries.

Richard Dawkins and Thought-Provoking Documentaries (2007) We introduced Richard Dawkins to Australian audiences through a series of groundbreaking documentaries that explored evolutionary biology and secular humanism. These releases were a resounding success, leading to television broadcasts and a tour of Australia by Richard Dawkins himself.

Resurrection of Midnight Movies (2007) In a move that delighted cinephiles, Siren brought back classic midnight movies, including works by the legendary Alejandro Jodorowsky, such as "El Topo" and "The Holy Mountain."

Commitment to Australian Cinema (2007-2008) Our commitment to Australian cinema was unwavering, as we released critically acclaimed documentaries and films like "Sticky Carpet," "Jisoe," "Boxing Day," "London to Brighton," and "The Devil Came on Horseback."

2009-2012: Anime and Documentaries Siren further expanded its range of anime and continued to release critically acclaimed documentaries, with some even earning nominations for AFI awards.

2013: Expanding Horizons In 2013, we continued to explore unique and exciting anime for the Australian market, while also expanding our catalogue to include cult horror films and music documentaries. Our annual turnover remained steady between $1.5-$2,000,000.

Global Reach (20 Years) For two decades, we maintained a global presence, attending major international events like the American Film Market in Santa Monica, California, the Japanese animation convention in Tokyo, the Japanese Film Market in Tokyo, and MIPCOM in Cannes, France. Our mission: to source outstanding films and television content from major international companies.

A Digital Future (2015) In 2015, after more than three decades in the entertainment industry, our founder, Nigel Rennard, foresaw the shift away from physical media like DVD/Blu-ray to digital platforms for streaming and downloading. As a result, our entertainment business was sold to new operators in May 2015. Despite this transition, our passion for all aspects of the music, film, and television industries remained unwavering.

Today, The Future Factory continues to embrace change and adapt to the evolving entertainment landscape, always on the lookout for fresh opportunities in the ever-dynamic world of entertainment. Our legacy is one of innovation, tenacity, and an unrelenting love for the arts.

music, film, culture

The Future Factory:
Nigel Rennard

CONTACT

Subscribe

Subscribe