Press Release Archives | Page 3 of 3

January 7, 2025

ICTA Unveils Winners of the Fourth Annual North America Cinema Awards

Universal City, Califronia ( January 3, 2025 ) – The International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA), the leading global network of motion picture professionals, is thrilled to announce the winners of the Fourth Annual North America Cinema Awards (NACA), presented in partnership with Celluloid Junkie. These prestigious awards honor the most outstanding achievements in cinema design, refurbishment, and technological innovation, showcasing the very best in the moviegoing excellence.

The winners, selected by an elite panel of ICTA Board Members and industry leaders, will be celebrated in style at the ICTA Los Angeles Seminar Series on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at the Universal City Hilton in Los Angeles, California.

And the winners are:

Best New Cinema Build: B&B Theatres Red Oak 12 – Red Oak, Texas
Best Use of Technology: Golden Ticket Cinemas Greenville Grande IMAX + Elite — Greenville, NC
Best Traditional Refurbishment: Phoenix Theatres Great Northern – North Olmsted, Ohio
Best Classic Refurbishment: The Playhouse – Cinema Lab – New Canaan, Connecticut

These winners exemplify innovation and dedication, setting new standards for what a cinema experience can and should be. From groundbreaking designs to state-of-the-art technology and awe-inspiring refurbishments, the 2024 honorees prove that the magic of the movies is alive and thriving.

“This year’s winners have redefined what it means to create extraordinary spaces for storytelling,” said Mark Mayfield, president of ICTA. “Their commitment to pushing boundaries and delivering unforgettable cinematic moments deserves a standing ovation. Congratulations to all!”

The NACA Awards highlight the ingenuity, vision, and passion driving the theatrical exhibition industry forward. ICTA created these awards to shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements that continue to enhance and elevate the moviegoing experience for audiences across North America.

“Seeing the growth of the NACA awards year over year is an exciting testament to the positive direction of the cinema industry,” commented Theresa English, ICTA Secretary and NACA committee member. “Judging the entries is getting tougher each year. It’s exciting to see there were over 30 ICTA member companies represented in these award winning projects, and many more in the additional submissions.”

Don’t Miss the Celebration
The ICTA Los Angeles Seminar Series, held in partnership with the Cinema Foundation, is the ultimate gathering for cinema innovators and trailblazers. Join us January 13-15, 2025, at the Universal City Hilton in Los Angeles, where the future of cinema takes center stage.

About International Cinema Technology Association
The International Cinema Technology Association is a global network of professionals in the cinema exhibition industry. Membership includes technology providers, exhibitors, and industry consultants. Our members are on the cutting edge of new technologies and have been the driving force in digital cinema, 3D, immersive sound systems, high frame rates and laser projection. The ICTA promotes technological advancements through educational seminars and programs. Our logo stands for excellence and professionalism and signifies reliability, competence and commitment.

About The Cinema Foundation
The Cinema Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit dedicated to promoting and enhancing the cinema exhibition industry through activities such as training and education, career development, diversity and inclusion, moviegoing promotion, and data and research efforts.

January 6, 2025

Cinema United Congratulates Wicked on Golden Globes Win for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement

Official statement from Cinema United President & CEO Michael O’Leary:

“On behalf of theatre owners everywhere, we congratulate Universal Pictures for being honored with the Golden Globe Award for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement for Wicked. As its director Jon M. Chu so elegantly said, seeing a movie on the big screen indeed is a collective experience that can change hearts and minds. Going to the theatre remains the premier global entertainment experience for fans of all ages, and the Golden Globes recognizes this through this award. There really is no experience like going to the movies!“

December 18, 2024

Cinema United Releases “Strength of Theatrical Exhibition” Report Spotlighting A Bright 2025 At The Movies & Beyond

Data-Driven Report Looks Beyond the Box Office to the Health of the Movie Theatre Industry

LOS ANGELES, CA – The National Association of Theatre Owners (Cinema United) is shining a spotlight on cinema vitality with a new report focusing on five different metrics, outside of box office numbers that are available to gauge the overall strength of the global exhibition industry. The metrics include consumer enthusiasm, investment in the marketplace, loyalty growth, more movies in theaters, and a wider genre mix with something for everyone. The findings are promising for exhibitors, studios and film fans alike.

The Cinema United report provides a collection of industry data on the increase in premium screens, the increase in domestic releases, loyalty program subscribers, industry innovations and opportunities going forward.

Highlights of the new report include:

85% of moviegoers plan to go to the movies as often or more often than they did in the past year.
76% of Americans 12-74 saw at least one movie in the theater this year.
Among 10-24 years, going to see a movie on opening weekend was the #1 preferred activity, regardless of time and money.
Loyalty programs saw a 12% jump in new subscriptions from 2023 to 2024.

Cinema United Chief Michael O’Leary points out, “Perhaps like no other industry, each week, the success or failure of filmed entertainment is judged through the weekly box office. This legacy tradition, however, does not paint a full picture of the strength of the industry nor of exhibition. To gauge the true viability of theatrical exhibition, you must look beyond the weekly numbers. In this report, with the help of multiple research partners, we lay out five metrics for determining the strength of the exhibition industry that factor in tandem with the box office. Theatres are financial and cultural anchors of communities of all sizes, and as 2024 draws to a close, it is important to look deeper and consider other fundamentals that illustrate the strength and bright future of theatrical exhibition.”

December 17, 2024

Cinema United Applauds 2024 National Film Registry Selections

25 Films Chosen for Recognition and Preservation by the Library of Congress

WASHINGTON, DC – December 17, 2024 – The National Association of Theatre Owners (Cinema United) today applauded the induction of twenty-five new titles into the National Film Registry, overseen by the Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden. Created by Congress, the National Film Registry highlights America’s movie heritage, and the need to preserve film for future generations.

The new selections date back nearly 130 years and include a diverse group of films, filmmakers and Hollywood landmarks. The selections span from a silent film created to entice audiences at the dawn of cinema in 1895 to the newest selected film from 2010, a drama about social media.

Popular Hollywood releases selected this year include the first Star Trek film added to the registry with “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” from 1982, as well as Eddie Murphy’s first feature film on the registry, “Beverly Hills Cop.”

The public submitted nominations of more than 6,700 titles for consideration this year. Several selected titles this year received strong public support, including: “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” “No Country for Old Men,” “The Social Network,” and “Dirty Dancing.”

The selections bring the number of titles in the registry to 900. Some films are among the 2 million moving image collection items held in the Library of Congress. The National Association of Theatre Owners is represented on the Library’s National Film Preservation Board by Joseph Masher, Cinema United Board Member and CEO of Scene One Entertainment, and Michael O’Leary, Cinema United President & CEO.

“Movie theatres are among the few places left that allow people to share a common yet unique experience,” says Masher. “Cinemas reinforce those memorable communal experiences when many of us are looking for ways to build bridges and connect. We are excited to support the Library of Congress in their passionate work, and their selections for this year’s list, which highlights audience favorites and breakthrough titles that need to be revived on the big screen.”

“For more than a century, Americans of all ages have been flocking to theatres to experience the magic of a great movie on the big screen. This list honors that legacy and is more than just a celebration of movies as an art form, it’s a recognition of an industry united in telling stories and connecting audiences for generations to come,” says O’Leary. “On behalf of theatre owners everywhere, we applaud the work of the Library of Congress and Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden for her leadership in film preservation and recognizing the power of cinema in this year’s selections for the National Film Registry.”

Films Selected for the 2024 National Film Registry

(chronological order)

• Annabelle Serpentine Dance (1895)

• KoKo’s Earth Control (1928)

• Angels with Dirty Faces (1938)

• Pride of the Yankees (1942)

• Invaders from Mars (1953)

• The Miracle Worker (1962)

• The Chelsea Girls (1966)

• Ganja and Hess (1973)

• Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

• Uptown Saturday Night (1974)

• Zora Lathan Student Films (1975-76)

• Up in Smoke (1978)

• Will (1981)

• Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan (1982)

• Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

• Dirty Dancing (1987)

• Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt (1989)

• Powwow Highway (1989)

• My Own Private Idaho (1991)

• American Me (1992)

• Mi Familia (1995)

• Compensation (1999)

• Spy Kids (2001)

• No Country for Old Men (2007)

• The Social Network (2010)

Public Nominations for the National Film Registry

The public submitted 6,744 titles for consideration this year. The public can submit nominations throughout the year on the Library’s web site. Nominations for next year will be accepted until Aug. 15, 2025. Cast your vote at loc.gov/film.

ABOUT Cinema United

The National Association of Theatre Owners (Cinema United) is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 32,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and more than 30,000 screens in 88 countries worldwide. Cinema United’s membership includes the largest cinema chains in the world as well as hundreds of independent theatre owners. Additional information about Cinema United can be found at www.theatreowners.org.

December 13, 2024

Cinemark President & CEO Sean Gamble Honored by Cinema United as CinemaCon 2025 Marquee Award Recipient at Celebratory Breakfast

Cinema United Chief Michael O’Leary hosted in Los Angeles a special breakfast event on Thursday, Dec. 12, in celebration of CinemaCon 2025 Marquee Award honoree, Cinemark President and CEO Sean Gamble, where the two met with a room of journalists to talk about the strength of the industry, their vision for the future and the importance of maintaining a healthy pro-business, pro-consumer perspective that supports movie-going everywhere.

The event took place just prior to Variety’s 21st Annual Heart of Show Business Luncheon, where Cinemark’s Wanda Gierhart Fearing was honored, and where Cinemark and Cinema United staff joined industry colleagues to help celebrate the occasion.

December 12, 2024

CinemaCon Welcomes Back the Major Studios and Their Film Slates to World’s Largest Theatrical Convention in 2025

Amazon MGM Studios Joins CinemaCon Main Stage Studio Presentations for the First Time; Sony Pictures Returns to the Colosseum

(LOS ANGELES – December 12, 2024) CinemaCon®, the world’s premier showcase of theatrical exhibition hosted by the National Association of Theatre Owners (Cinema United), today announced that all of the major Hollywood studios will be on hand to showcase their upcoming theatrical slates when cinema owners gather next year at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas from March 31– April 3. Lionsgate, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures/Focus Features, The Walt Disney Studios and Warner Bros. Pictures will all preview their upcoming theatrical releases, while for the first time, Amazon MGM Studios will join the CinemaCon main stage studio presentations at The Colosseum of Caesars Palace, with additional programming to be announced.

“We are thrilled and honored to welcome back all of our studio partners, with the addition of Amazon MGM Studios to this coming year’s CinemaCon line-up as a clear sign of support of the theatrical moviegoing business,” said Cinema United President and CEO Michael O’Leary. “This powerhouse line-up of the world’s greatest film-making studios speaks directly to the cultural and economic power of the cinema. Our friends in the studios know that movie fans want to see the magic they make on the big screen, and they also know that movies that start their journey in the theatre are more successful than those that do not. We applaud their commitment to theatrical exhibition and look forward to an amazing week seeing all the great stories they are bringing to movie fans in the year ahead.”

“We are grateful for the continued support from the studios, filmmakers and stars, vendors and of course our Cinema United members, the theatre owners,” says CinemaCon Managing Director Mitch Neuhauser. “We’ve got some exciting surprises and changes in store for next year’s CinemaCon and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Las Vegas.”

Registration is now live at www.cinemacon.com; CinemaCon 2025 Press Applications are now open and currently available at CinemaCon Media Accreditation.

About CinemaCon

CinemaCon attracts upwards of six thousand motion picture professionals from all facets of the industry – from exhibition and distribution to the equipment and concession areas – all on hand to celebrate the moviegoing experience and the cinema industry. CinemaCon works with the International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) and National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) as its trade show partners. The Coca-Cola Company – one of the industry’s most highly regarded and respected partners in the world of movies – is the official presenting sponsor of CinemaCon.

About Cinema United

December 10, 2024

The Cinema Foundation Announces “@ The Movies” Campaign

Year-Round Events and Quarterly Activations to Promote Moviegoing in 2025

LOS ANGELES – December 10, 2024 – On the heels of a record-breaking Thanksgiving at the box office, The Cinema Foundation, the non-profit organization from the National Association of Theatre Owners (Cinema United), today announced an exciting series of year-round events to promote the moviegoing experience through 2025. Titled “@ The Movies,” the campaign is designed to resonate with a wide range of moviegoers and will commence with National Popcorn Day on January 19, 2025. Movie theatres across the country will offer unique promotions for each event.

As part of the campaign, which is presented by Fandango, The Cinema Foundation will work with theatres across the country to come up with a dynamic and engaging program of activities and events tied to the year-round series. Building on the success of previous events like National Cinema Day, these expanded events will include quarterly targeted campaigns, including a “Sneak Peek Saturday,” timed to CinemaCon, the world’s premier showcase of theatrical exhibition hosted by Cinema United.

“The Cinema Foundation is committed to this year-long campaign by offering exhibitors opportunities to engage with their communities in fun and exciting ways,” says Bryan Braunlich, Executive Director of The Cinema Foundation. “This is the result of months of hard work and collaboration among our industry partners, and we cannot wait to invite moviegoers across the country to participate in what will be continued enjoyment at the movies.”

The Cinema Foundation’s four events, starting in 2025, are as follows:

Q1 2025: National Popcorn Day (January 19)
Q2 2025: Sneak Peek Saturday–an exclusive look at upcoming summer and holiday films with behind-the-scenes cinematic content and sneak peeks following CinemaCon 2025, shown in theaters nationwide for the first time. (April 19)
Q3 2025: Date Night @ The Movies (August 15)
Q4 2025: Family Day @ The Movies (November 9)

“Cinemas are an indispensable part of our culture. These celebrations emphasize the power of moviegoing to bring us all together to share and create long-lasting memories with our friends, families, and community,” says Mike Bowers, Chair of The Cinema Foundation.

ABOUT THE CINEMA FOUNDATION

The Cinema Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit dedicated to strengthening the cinema industry and engaging moviegoing audiences around the country. The Foundation promotes and enhances the exhibition industry through programming, events and activities, while spearheading the development of vital industry data, research and consumer insights, education and community involvement to advance the moviegoing experience.

Since March 2022, the Cinema Foundation’s mission has been dedicated to supporting and impacting the health of the cinema sector both in the short term and for years to come, while continuously expanding its contributions to the magic of moviegoing. The Cinema Foundation builds on Cinema United/National Association of Theatre Owners’ mission and relationships and expands Cinema United’s impact in ways that help individual employees, companies and the industry as a whole. For more info, visit www.thecinemafoundation.org.

ABOUT Cinema United

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October 21, 2024

National Association of Theatre Owners Appoints Andrew Stewart As Chief Communications Officer

Photo by Jonny B. Wooten

LOS ANGELES, CA – October 21, 2024 – The National Association of Theatre Owners (Cinema United) announced today it has named seasoned communications professional, strategist and former award-winning journalist Andrew Stewart as Chief Communications Officer. In this role, Stewart will lead all efforts for the association’s communications and media relations strategy, continuing to unite and promote the cinema industry as the leading out-of-home experience for current and future generations.

As a key member of Cinema United’s leadership team, based in Los Angeles and reporting directly to President & CEO Michael O’Leary, Stewart will lead a comprehensive and aggressive communications strategy to raise awareness of exhibition’s critical role in the entertainment industry’s success and help map its innovative future, such as promoting the results of exhibition’s recent $2.2 billion commitment to modernize and upgrade theatres of all sizes over the next three years. An immediate priority for Stewart will involve CinemaCon, Cinema United’s cornerstone annual event and the world’s premier exhibition convention held at Caesars Palace each spring, to amplify its impact and increase visibility with members, key stakeholders from across the industry, the media, and the general public. He will also work in close partnership with the Cinema Foundation on efforts to promote moviegoing.

“We were so impressed with Andrew’s drive and strategic know-how in navigating today’s ever-evolving media landscape,” O’Leary said. “Andrew will be invaluable to ensuring that exhibition is a part of the on-going conversation about the future of filmed entertainment. Not to mention, it’s clear he has a deep passion for going to the theatre, with a desire to see the business of moviegoing not only succeed, but innovate and grow.”

“For me, storytelling is at the heart of communications, so the opportunity to join a venerable organization such as Cinema United, to tell their story on behalf of the exhibition community, is nothing short of perfect,” Stewart said. “I couldn’t be more excited to roll up my sleeves and roll back the curtain in telling this next chapter in the theatrical exhibition story.”

Most recently, Stewart served as Vice President at 42West, one of the leading entertainment PR agencies, where he led the Los Angeles-based team for the company’s Strategic Communications Division, working on a wide range of clientele across industries, including entertainment, gaming, technology, social impact, as well as crisis communications and issues management. Prior to that, he served in various communications roles for Participant and IMAX Corporation. During his time at Participant, he worked on campaigns for such box office hits as “Wonder,” “The Post,” “RBG” and “Green Book,” while at IMAX, he was part of the team for such record-setting IMAX releases as “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Jurassic World,” the “Fast and Furious” franchise, among others. Stewart began his career as an entertainment journalist for Variety, where he reported on box office, film distribution, digital and on-demand platforms, as well as independent film and theatrical exhibition. As a journalist, he has been honored multiple times by the Southern California Journalism Awards. Prior to being a Variety film reporter, Stewart worked as an online editor for the LA-based trade publication. Stewart comes from the Midwest, where he received bachelor degrees in both journalism (news-editorial) and film studies from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.

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ABOUT Cinema United

The National Association of Theatre Owners is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 32,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and more than 34,000 additional screens in 89 countries worldwide. For more info, visit www.theatreowners.org.