Category: Press Release

COLLEEN BARSTOW, INDEPENDENT CINEMA LEADER, DIES AT 64

Colleen Barstow, a longtime leader of independent cinema, died on January 10. She was 64.

Colleen Barstow was not only a driving force behind the Omaha-based family-run theater chain ACX Cinemas, but also a nationally respected leader in the independent cinema industry. At the time of her passing, she served as Treasurer of the Executive Board of Directors and Chair of the Independent Theatre Owners Committee for Cinema United. On Cinema United’s Executive Board, she represented independent exhibitors across the country with clarity, conviction, and compassion. She was on the Cinema United Board from 2022-2026 and was also instrumental in the North Central Cinema United conferences.

Colleen co-founded Main Street Theatres alongside her husband, Bill Barstow, in 1988 after answering a newspaper ad for a small, single-screen theater in Nebraska. What began as a leap of faith—financed through borrowed credit cards and fueled by determination—grew into ACX Cinemas, a seven-location cinema chain known for innovation, hospitality, and community engagement.

“Colleen was a tireless advocate for independent theatre owners,” remembers Cinema United CEO Michael O’Leary. “I had the privilege of working with her closely and she always brought energy, ideas, and commitment to everything she did on behalf of our industry. Of course, her greatest joy in life was her family – her husband Bill, her children, and beautiful grandchildren – to whom we extend our deepest condolences and support.”

From the earliest days, Colleen was the heart of the business. Born in Detroit, she was one of nine children. She left her job in banking to help build the company from the ground up—delivering film prints between theaters, managing operations, and raising a family alongside the work. Her children grew up in theaters, learning first-hand the values that would later shape ACX’s culture and leadership.

Colleen believed that the power of cinema extended far beyond the screen.

“To me, the movie is always secondary,” she said. “We like bringing people together. We like telling a story—and that story isn’t always the one on the screen.”

That belief guided her work both locally and nationally. She was a tireless advocate for independent theaters, encouraging collaboration over competition and urging exhibitors to engage deeply with their communities. She championed theaters as gathering places—homes for festivals, fundraisers, nonprofit events, and shared experiences.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Colleen played a critical role in industry advocacy, working alongside fellow exhibitors and Cinema United leadership to help secure federal relief funding for shuttered venues and independent theaters. Her steady leadership helped guide the industry through unprecedented disruption.

She is survived by her husband Bill Barstow; their three children, Michael Barstow, Andrea Barstow-Olson and Amy Evans; and four grandchildren. A funeral service will be held on Friday at the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Omaha, Nebraska.

Fewer Movies and Lack of Meaningful Commitment to Theatrical Exhibition will Hurt Consumers, Theatre Owners, and the Entertainment Industry around the Globe

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Dec. 5, 2025 – Cinema United, the world’s largest exhibition trade association which represents over 30,000 movie screens in all 50 states, with an additional 26,000 screens internationally, announced today their opposition to the proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Netflix.

“The proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. by Netflix poses an unprecedented threat to the global exhibition business. The negative impact of this acquisition will impact theatres from the biggest circuits to one-screen independents in small towns in the United States and around the world,” said Cinema United President and CEO Michael O’Leary. “Cinema United stands ready to support industry changes that lead to increased movie production and give consumers more opportunities to enjoy a day at the local theatre. But Netflix’s stated business model does not support theatrical exhibition. In fact, it is the opposite. Regulators must look closely at the specifics of this proposed transaction and understand the negative impact it will have on consumers, exhibition and the entertainment industry.”

This mega-deal between Netflix and Warner Bros. would risk removing 25% of the annual domestic box office if films that are traditionally given a robust theatrical release by Warner Bros. disappear from theatres. Netflix currently grants only a handful of their films a token theatrical release and the overwhelming majority of Netflix titles go straight to their platform.

“Netflix success is television, not movies on the big screen. A true commitment to theatrical means a robust slate of movies with a meaningful period of theatrical exclusivity supported by marketing. Sporadic and truncated theatrical releases to meet awards criteria in a handful of theatres is not a commitment to exhibition.” O’Leary added. “Movie theatres are cultural and economic anchors of communities of all sizes – we are a Main Street industry. Research shows that for each dollar spent in a local movie theatre, an additional $1.50 is spent in surrounding businesses in the community—restaurants, bars, shopping centers, transportation. That is what is at risk here if we sanction fewer movies in the marketplace. Theatres will close, communities will suffer, jobs will be lost.”

ABOUT CINEMA UNITED

Founded in 1948, Cinema United is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 31,000 movie screens in all 50 U.S. states and Canada, with an additional more than 30,000 screens in 80 countries. Its membership includes theatres of all sizes, from the largest cinema chains to one-screen theatres in cities and towns around the world. For additional information, please visit cinemaunited.org.

Multi-year agreement keeps Michael O’Leary at Cinema United through 2030

WASHINGTON, D.C. AND LOS ANGELES – October 14, 2025 – Cinema United, the world’s largest exhibition trade association, announced today that it has extended the contract of CEO and President Michael O’Leary for an additional five years. O’Leary, who joined the organization in 2023, will continue to lead Cinema United under an agreement that was approved unanimously by the Cinema United Executive Board at their meeting in Los Angeles last week.

“Michael has proven to be a tireless and passionate advocate for the exhibition industry,” said Mike Bowers, Cinema United Board Chair and CEO of Harkins Theatres. “Leveraging his broad experience in the motion picture industry as well as on Capitol Hill, Michael’s focus on unity, strategy and continuous improvement has earned the confidence and respect of members of all sizes, as well as our studio partners. ​The next five years present unique and exciting opportunities for our industry. We are thrilled to have the long-term stability and steady hand of Michael and the talented Cinema United team representing us during this time.”

Since joining the organization in May 2023, O’Leary has focused on promoting and amplifying the positive economic and cultural impact of movie theatres in cities and towns around the world. Cinema United recently released its report highlighting that the domestic industry alone spent over $1.5 billion on theatre re-investment in just the past twelve months. Exhibition’s commitment to creating the Next Great Era of Cinema will be on display next spring at their annual global convention CinemaCon where “Innovation and Experiences” will be the primary theme.  Also this year, O’Leary, who believes that the strength of theatrical exhibition is its people, oversaw the successful adoption of the Cinema United brand in support of his effort to unify and strengthen an industry that spans the globe and comprises businesses from single-screen theatres to the world’s largest international theatre circuits.

“Representing the great people who own and operate theatres across the United States and around the world has been one of the great honors of my professional career, and I am energized by the opportunities that lie ahead for this iconic industry,” said O’Leary. “I want to thank Chairman Mike Bowers, outgoing Chair Bob Bagby and the entire Cinema United Executive Board for this opportunity. I also want to thank my dedicated colleagues at Cinema United. Our success is a direct result of their hard work and creativity, and I am excited to continue our work supporting and advocating on behalf of this industry.”

ABOUT CINEMA UNITED

Founded in 1948, Cinema United is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 33,000 movie screens in all 50 U.S. states and Canada, with an additional more than 30,000 screens in 81 countries internationally. Its membership includes theatres of all sizes, from the largest cinema chains to one-screen theatres in cities and towns around the world. For additional information, please visit cinemaunited.org.

Cinemark’s Wanda Gierhart Fearing, Colleen Barstow of Main Street Theatres, and Georgia Theatre Company’s Bo Chambliss Round Out Leadership Team

Recent Changes to Cinema United By-Laws Result in Most Votes Ever Cast in Executive Board Election

BEVERLY HILLS – October 8, 2025 – The Cinema United Executive Board of Directors has elected Harkins Theatres President & CEO Mike Bowers as the new Chair of its Executive Board. Bowers assumes the position from the previous Board Chair, Bob Bagby, CEO of B&B Theatres, who finishes his two-year term this week.  Bagby will remain on the Executive Board representing B&B Theatres. Bowers has been in the exhibition industry for nearly 40 years and has been President and CEO of the Arizona-based Harkins Theatres since 2006.

Joining Bowers among the Executive Board leadership will be Cinemark’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Content Officer, Wanda Gierhart Fearing, who will serve as Vice-Chair. Additionally, Colleen Barstow of Nebraska-based Main Street Theatres will become Treasurer, and Bo Chambliss of Georgia Theatre Company will continue as Board Secretary. 

[Left to Right: Mike Bowers, Wanda Gierhart Fearing, Colleen Barstow, Bo Chambliss]

“I am extremely excited to work with Mike and the leadership team to continue to support and promote this great industry. Mike brings years of experience building a successful circuit, and he will work tirelessly to support all of exhibition. The entire leadership team will bring energy and insight as we continue to drive toward the next great era in cinema,” says Cinema United President & CEO Michael O’Leary. “I also want to acknowledge and thank Bob for successfully leading Cinema United these past two years. He will remain on the Board and continue to be a leader for years to come.”

“Delivering an amazing cinematic experience has been my life’s work,” says incoming Chair Mike Bowers. “It’s a true honor to serve the passionate people who bring the magic of moviegoing to communities across America and around the globe.”

Also elected to the Board were representatives from circuits of all sizes from across the United States. Those elected to join or re-join the Cinema United Executive Board of Directors are: (independent seats) Becky Dupuis of Montana’s Polson Theatres, Inc., Paul Gunsky of CineLux Theatres in California (incumbent), Lauren McChesney of Pennsylvania’s Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre; (mid-sized circuit seats) Bo Chambliss of Georgia Theatre Company (incumbent), Paul Glantz of Michigan-based Emagine Entertainment, Inc. (incumbent); and (regional leaders seat) Todd Vradenburg of NATO of California/Nevada.

“Congratulations to the new members elected to the Board and those leaders who were re-elected,” O’Leary added. “We have much to do, and I look forward to working with the entire Board in the months ahead. Also, special recognition and appreciation goes out to departing Board members Chris Johnson, Joe Masher and Randy Hester, all of whom played vital roles during their time on the Executive Board and will continue to be essential voices in our community.”

The 2025 election marked the first time that all dues-paying members of Cinema United were eligible to vote for its Executive Board of Directors. As a result, more votes were cast in this election that at any time during the organization’s 77-year history. The Executive Board of Directors is the governing body of Cinema United, comprised of 20 leaders in the domestic exhibition industry. The four volunteer officers of the association are elected from and by the members of the Executive Board.

Cinema United’s structure is designed to encourage member participation in the activities, benefits and deliberations of the association. An Advisory Board, comprised of more than 100 representatives of the domestic and international exhibition community, deliberates on exhibition issues, and makes policy recommendations to the Executive Board of Directors.

ABOUT CINEMA UNITED
Founded in 1948, Cinema United is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 33,000 movie screens in all 50 U.S. states and Canada, with an additional more than 30,000 screens in 81 countries internationally. Its membership includes theatres of all sizes, from the largest cinema chains to one-screen theatres in cities and towns around the world. For additional information, please visit cinemaunited.org.