Reel Blog Archives | Cinema United

February 18, 2026

Ellis Jacob to Receive Legend of Cinema Award at CinemaCon 2026

Pioneering CEO of Canada’s Largest Cinema Chain to be Recognized for Decades Long Leadership and Vision at the Forefront of the Global Exhibition Industry

Canadian Cinema Icon Becomes Second Recipient of Cinema United’s Most Prestigious Award Following Legendary Filmmaker Martin Scorsese

LOS ANGELES, CA – (Feb. 18, 2026) – Ellis Jacob, President and CEO of Canada’s leading entertainment and media company Cineplex, will receive the Legend of Cinema Award during opening night at this year’s CinemaCon. Michael O’Leary, President and CEO of Cinema United, announced today that Jacob will receive the organization’s most prestigious award, joining acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese as the only two individuals to receive this recognition.

“Ellis has been a leader at the forefront of global exhibition for decades,” said O’Leary. “He has created an entertainment empire that cannot be matched and has been a tireless advocate on behalf of theatre owners around the world. He is a beloved figure who fully embodies the passion of our industry, and we are honored to be able to show our heartfelt appreciation in this way.”

Jacob served as Chair of Cinema United’s Executive Board from 2018-2020. In 2022, he received the CinemaCon Marque Award, which recognizes an exceptional executive within the industry whose strategic vision, leadership and business acumen elevates theatrical exhibition.

“No one has played a more central role in guiding our industry through the turbulence and uncertainty of the past years than Ellis,” added O’Leary. “His role in positioning exhibition for future success simply cannot be overstated. He has been a strong supporter of Cinema United and a valued mentor to me in my capacity as CEO. On behalf of the entire exhibition industry, we want to thank Ellis for everything he has done.”

Jacob, who will retire this year, became President and CEO of Cineplex in October 2003. He began working in the motion picture exhibition industry in 1987; since then, his passion and leadership has helped transform the moviegoing experience across Canada and beyond. With over 100 years of history in Canada, Cineplex is the fourth largest circuit in North America. Jacob’s visionary leadership has helped transform the company from a theatre chain into an exhibition, amusement and media giant that provides exceptional entertainment experiences for people of all ages. Prior to his current role, Jacob was President and CEO of Galaxy Entertainment Inc., which he co-founded in 1999.

“I am deeply honoured to receive the Legend of Cinema Award. I have spent my entire career believing in the power of moviegoing to bring people together. The theatrical experience has always held a unique place in our culture and I am truly humbled to be recognized with this award. I have been fortunate to work with inspiring partners across the exhibition community who share a commitment to ensuring that cinemas continue to thrive,” said Ellis Jacob, President and CEO, Cineplex.

The Legend of Cinema Award recognizes those individuals who have dedicated their careers to preserving and elevating the unparalleled magic of the shared theatrical experience. Their dedication to moviegoing underscores the crucial role cinemas play as cultural landmarks and economic drivers in communities around the world.

CinemaCon, the official convention of Cinema United and the world’s largest gathering of theatrical exhibitors, will run from April 13-16 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

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 states, and more than 30,000 screens in 80 countries worldwide. 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. Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

ABOUT CINEMACON

CinemaCon attracts upwards of 6,000 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. 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. For more information, visit cinemacon.com. Follow CinemaCon on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.

February 12, 2026

Angel, Row K Entertainment and STUDIOCANAL To Take The Main Stage For Inaugural “CinemaCon® Film Showcase”

BRAND NEW PROGRAM SPOTLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSE STORIES FROM KEY PARTNERS OF THE GLOBAL EXHIBITION COMMUNITY

“CINEMACON^® FILM SHOWCASE” WILL BE HELD AT THE COLOSSEUM IN CAESARS PALACE MONDAY AFTERNOON ON APRIL 13

LAS VEGAS – Feb. 12, 2026 – CinemaCon^®, the world’s largest convention for the global cinema industry and the official convention of Cinema United, announced today that it will host a Monday afternoon program for the first time in the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, titled the “CinemaCon^® Film Showcase.” The presentation on April 13 will feature Angel, Row K Entertainment and STUDIOCANAL, all three of which will showcase exciting new films from their upcoming theatrical slates to the global exhibition community.

“As a global industry that depends on a diverse pipeline of movies from a wide array of distribution partners, we are incredibly excited to welcome Angel, Row K Entertainment and STUDIOCANAL to be part of this important new program on Monday afternoon,” said Michael O’Leary, President and CEO of Cinema United. “Movie theatres around the world in cities and towns of all sizes rely upon these movies 52 weeks out of the year. They are essential to our industry, and by shining a light on these companies, we celebrate their importance in bringing great movies to fans of all ages across the globe.”

CEO of STUDIOCANAL, Chief Content Officer of CANAL+ Anna Marsh commented: “We are thrilled to be part of CinemaCon 2026 and to take part in this inaugural film showcase. Presenting our slate at The Colosseum and connecting with the exhibition community is a very special moment for STUDIOCANAL and the Canal+ group. We remain firmly committed to films made for the big screen, and we thank Michael O’Leary and his team for providing such an important platform to highlight the creativity, ambition and investment behind bringing great stories to cinemas across the globe.”

“Theaters thrive when audiences have options,” said Executive Vice President and Head of Theatrical at Angel, Brandon Purdie. “Angel is committed to bringing audiences a bold, varied slate of films. We’re proud to stand with Cinema United, CinemaCon, and our partners in exhibition as we redefine the future of theatrical moviegoing together.”

“CinemaCon is a powerful reminder that the theatrical experience remains the heartbeat of our industry, bringing audiences together in a way no other medium can,” said Row K Co-Chairmen Christopher Woodrow and Raj Singh. “Row K was built around the belief that great films deserve to be experienced on the big screen, and we’re proud to join Angel and STUDIOCANAL to showcase a slate designed to deliver bold storytelling, unforgettable performances, and the kind of communal moviegoing moments that only theaters can provide.”

Hosted by Cinema United, CinemaCon is the world’s premier showcase of theatrical exhibition, taking place April 13-16 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

About Angel

Angel (NYSE: ANGX) is a media and technology company guided by two million grassroots Angel Guild paying members championing values-driven stories. The company is one of the most disruptive forces in entertainment, bringing audience-powered films to theaters worldwide. With theatrical hits such as Solo Mio, DAVID, Sound of Freedom, Homestead, and The King of Kings, Angel has proven that stories chosen by the audience, for the audience, resonate on a massive scale. Angel is committed to working hand-in-hand with exhibitors, recognizing their vital role in delivering powerful, uplifting stories to audiences everywhere. The company invites theater owners to be part of shaping the future of cinema. For more information, visit www.angel.com.

About Row K Entertainment

Row K Entertainment (“Row K”) is a U.S. theatrical distribution company built to meet the growing demands of the modern film marketplace. The company focuses on wide-release, star-driven, and prestige-filmmaker-led films with global appeal. Named for the seat often considered the best view in the theater, Row K is dedicated to elevating the cinematic experience for audiences worldwide. CAA Media Finance, which helped ideate Row K, serves as an advisory partner to the company. Row K is a subsidiary of Media Capital Technologies, a leading entertainment investment company.

Launched in 2025, Row K has quickly established itself as a force in distribution with a breakout debut year marked by several high-profile festival acquisitions. The company’s 2026 slate includes Dead Man’s Wire, directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Bill Skarsgård, Dacre Montgomery, Cary Elwes, Myha’la, Colman Domingo, and Al Pacino, which opened in January; Poetic License, the directorial debut of Maude Apatow and starring Leslie Mann, Cooper Hoffman, Andrew Barth Feldman, Nico Parker, and Cliff “Method Man” Smith; Cliffhanger, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and starring Pierce Brosnan and Lily James; and Charlie Harper, directed by Tom Dean and Mac Eldridge and starring Nick Robinson and Emilia Jones.

About STUDIOCANAL

STUDIOCANAL, CANAL+’s in-house studio, is Europe’s leading film and television studio, with worldwide production and distribution capabilities. It operates directly in nine major European markets including Austria, Benelux, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as in Australia and New Zealand, and offices in the United States and China. STUDIOCANAL finances, produces, and distributes 200 films per year. It owns one of the most prestigious catalogues in the world and the largest catalogue of European titles, boasting more than 9 400 titles from 60 countries. With a catalogue spanning 100 years of film history, STUDIOCANAL has invested close to 25 million euros into the 4K restoration of nearly 1 000 classic feature films over the past 7 years.

STUDIOCANAL also produces over 15 series each year, including local creations and premium international co-productions, and distributes its scripted productions and CANAL+ Originals globally (2,000 hours of current and library content in distribution). Projects are produced in-house by STUDIOCANAL or through its worldwide network of production companies, including 2e Bureau, Flab, Kissman, and Grands Ducs Films in France; Birdie Pictures, Urban Myth Films, Strong Film & Television, Sunny March TV and Brock Media in the UK; Bambú Producciones and Te Espero en Marte in Spain; Lailaps Films and STUDIOCANAL Series in Germany; Opus TV in Poland; Sam Productions in Denmark; Dingie in Belgium; and The Picture Company in the United States.

About Cinema United

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. For more information, visit cinemacon.com. Follow CinemaCon on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.

January 29, 2026

Cinema United Applauds National Film Registry Selections

Cinema United is applauding the induction of 25 new films into the National Film Registry, overseen by the Library of Congress.

Created by Congress, the National Film Registry highlights America’s movie history and the need to preserve our cinematic heritage for future generations. Each year, films are selected based on their cultural, historic or aesthetic importance, and must be at least ten years old.

Cinema United is represented on the Library’s National Film Preservation Board by Cinema United President & CEO Michael O’Leary and Cinema United New York President Joe Masher.

“Movies have always shaped our culture, with tens of millions of Americans going to the cinema on a regular basis,” says Cinema United CEO & President and National Film Preservation Board Member Michael O’Leary. “It’s a true honor to support the Library of Congress and the Librarian in their important work preserving influential cinematic experiences. The wide-ranging selections, representing stories with universal themes that connect people everywhere, will inspire classic programming at theatres large and small across the country.”

“Moviegoing is part of the American social fabric,” says Cinema United New York President and National Film Preservation Board Member Joe Masher. “Cinemas dotting cities and towns across Main Street America are important places where many of us had our first jobs, our first dates, our first family outings, our first community experiences. With classic films bigger than ever in cinemas, we are grateful to the passionate work of the Library of Congress and the Librarian for their exciting additions to the National Film Registry, introducing new audiences to great movies on the big screen the way they were meant to be seen.”

The selections for 2025 bring the number of titles in the registry to 925. Some of the film titles are among the 2 million moving image collection items held in the Library of Congress. Others are preserved in coordination with copyright holders or other film archives.

Films Selected for the 2025 National Film Registry:

(chronological order)

The Tramp and the Dog (1896)
The Oath of the Sword (1914)
The Maid of McMillan (1916)
The Lady (1925)
Sparrows (1926)
Ten Nights in a Barroom (1926)
White Christmas (1954)
High Society (1956)
Brooklyn Bridge (1981)
Say Amen, Somebody (1982)
The Thing (1982)
The Big Chill (1983)
The Karate Kid (1984)
Glory (1989)
Philadelphia (1993)
Before Sunrise (1995)
Clueless (1995)
The Truman Show (1998)
Frida (2002)
The Hours (2002)
The Incredibles (2004)
The Wrecking Crew (2008)
Inception (2010)
The Loving Story (2011)
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

December 26, 2025

Cinema United Visits Cinergy Midland Tall City

Cinema United’s Todd Halstead recently joined Cinergy Entertainment Group for the VIP night at its newest and largest project yet: Cinergy Tall City in Midland, Texas. Timed to open alongside the premiere of Avatar: Fire and Ash, the 98,000-square-foot cinema entertainment center is built for shared experiences. What was once a long-closed movie theatre is now a vibrant cinema entertainment center that’s creating more than 180 new jobs and marking a real investment in this West Texas community.

Cinema At The Center

Cinergy co-founders Jeff and Jamie Benson have long said cinema is the foundation of the company’s growth, and that philosophy is at the heart of the building. Cinergy Tall City features six luxury dine-in auditoriums with recliner seating, laser projection, and premium sound. Two of the screens are equipped with 4K RGB laser projection and Dolby Atmos, showing a strong commitment to presentation, led by David Zylstra, Director of Theatre Technology. Movies aren’t an afterthought here. They’re the anchor.

Beyond the Screens

Outside the auditoriums, the venue opens into a full entertainment destination. Cinergy Tall City features:

11 lanes of boutique bowling
Four escape rooms
A sprawling arcade with more than 80 games (with plans to reach 100 next year)
A full sports bar anchored by a massive projection wall that turns game day into a shared event.

The center’s layout is flexible, with private event rooms and adaptable spaces that can handle everything from birthday parties to corporate events, fundraisers, and community gatherings. It’s a good example of how cinemas are expanding what they offer while keeping movies front and center. As Jeff put it, Tall City was built to deliver the kind of big screen impact and entertainment experiences people usually have to travel hours to find.

A Team Effort

The VIP night was also a reminder that projects like this don’t come together without teamwork. The Bensons surprised Kathi Gillman, Vice President of Construction and Capital Asset Purchasing, with a championship belt in recognition of her work overseeing the project to completion. Kathi worked closely with colleagues like CTO Bill Radtke, Vice President of Operations Todd Maunsell and design-build partner ARCO Murray to make the venue a reality.

A Win for Midland

The team’s hands-on approach extended to the night itself. COO Darek Heath jumped behind the bar to channel his best Cocktail-era Tom Cruise, while Rich Schwarte, President and CFO, engaged guests and gave tours, and Jordan Michael, head of Box Office & Guest Experience, helped keep the event moving. Chief Marketing Officer Traci Hanlon summed it up well, calling Cinergy Tall City the company’s most dynamic and immersive location yet, one where every element, from elevated dining to next-generation attractions, was designed with guest experience in mind.

Local leaders were equally enthusiastic. Midland District One City Council representative Brian Stubbs joined the event and spoke about how Cinergy Tall City reflects the kind of public-private partnership that supports the city’s goals around economic growth and quality of life. He pointed to developments like this as part of the bigger picture, alongside schools, parks, and neighborhoods, when people decide where they want to live, work, and raise families.

Looking Ahead

Cinergy’s roots in Midland run deep. The company opened its original Midland location in 2013, a project that exceeded expectations and helped fuel its national growth. Since then, Cinergy has expanded to 10 cinema entertainment centers across four states, totaling 82 screens, and was named Top Family Entertainment Center of the World by IAAPA.

And Tall City isn’t done growing. Cinergy Speedway Extreme Karting, a 45,000-square-foot expansion, is already underway and scheduled to open in spring 2026. Featuring multi-level electric kart racing and dedicated spectator viewing areas, it shows Cinergy’s continued push to raise the bar on what cinema entertainment centers can be.

As Cinema United continues visiting exhibitors across the country, Cinergy Tall City stands out as a strong example of how movie theaters can energize the communities they serve.

October 23, 2025

Cinema United Hires Theo George As Director of Marketing

WASHINGTON, D.C. AND LOS ANGELES – October 23, 2025 – Cinema United, the world’s largest exhibition trade association, announced today that it has tapped Theo George as Director of Marketing. This is a new position that will serve multiple marketing and communications functions for the organization, including social media, brand marketing, campaign and project management and creative leadership. Based in Los Angeles, George will be an integral member of the broader Cinema United team as it expands its impact among consumers and industry partners, advocating on behalf of theatrical exhibition as cultural and financial hubs for communities of all sizes across the country and around the world. George will report to Andrew Stewart, Cinema United’s Chief Communications Officer.

“From our first meeting with Theo, we were instantly impressed with his overall marketing experience in both exhibition and advocacy. His creative acumen and strategic insight, not to mention his passion and love of the movies, were obvious and we are thrilled to see him apply those skills to advance this amazing industry forward,” Stewart said.

George commented, saying: “I’ve spent a good portion of my career getting audiences excited about going to the movies because I believe deeply in the power of the shared theatrical experience. Cinema United’s mission to unite and promote the industry couldn’t be more urgent or inspiring. I’m thrilled to champion the theatre owners who create those magical moments for millions of moviegoers and ensure that the irreplaceable experience of going to the movies remains a cultural cornerstone.”

In this new role, George will be in charge of developing and executing a comprehensive social media strategy for Cinema United, as well as CinemaCon, the world’s premier annual showcase of theatrical exhibition hosted by Cinema United. He will also oversee the strategic growth of general consumer interactions for Cinema United and CinemaCon through creative year-round marketing activations and targeted brand and media partnerships.

Prior to joining Cinema United, George most recently served as Cinema Marketing Manager for BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), where he drove audience engagement and exceeded revenue targets through innovative, data-driven campaigns. He previously served as Marketing Director for the Maryland Film Festival and worked as a Digital Strategist for the National Center for Transgender Equality, where he led groundbreaking advocacy campaigns. Theo holds a Master’s in Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor’s in Africana Studies from UMBC.

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 80 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.

September 19, 2025

Cinema United Members: Register Now for the 2025 Fall Summit!

On behalf of Cinema United, we are thrilled to announce to members that the online registration and RSVP link for the upcoming Fall Summit is now live.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

NOTE: You’ll be asked to RSVP to meetings, food events, and seminar programming when you register. You can go back and change your responses at any time.

Thanks in advance for also taking the time to review the following:

Cinema United Governance Meetings: Monday, October 6 and Tuesday, October 7. Only those meetings that are open to all members are included on the registration link. You should have or will shortly be receiving invitations to any private committee meetings you’re involved with.

Studio Events: This year’s studio events are spread over three days (Monday evening, Tuesday evening, and most of Thursday) as they were last year. Please make note for your travel plans. CLICK HERE for the schedule.

Place: The Beverly Hilton, Los Angeles

Additional Important Information:

• Please be aware that starting in 2025 a nominal registration fee of $199 will be in effect to help cover some of the costs to run the Fall Summit. Once again, there will be caps put on the $199 attendee registrations (depending on your circuit size), with additional fees for registrations over the caps. These details are included in the official registration link provided above. Thanks for your understanding in this regard.

• The annual Will Rogers “Pioneer of the Year” Dinner will be held at The Beverly Hilton during the week of The Fall Summit. The date is Wednesday, October 8 and will honor Kate Hudson. Please note, the “Pioneer of the Year” Dinner requires its own purchased ticket of admittance. Details can be found via https://wrpioneers.org/events/2025-pioneer-of-the-year-dinner/. For all Will Rogers does for the exhibition community, we encourage all attendees to support Will Rogers by attending.

September 16, 2025

Cinema Owners In North America Have Invested $1.5 Billion In Their Theatres Throughout The Past Year

New Cinema Investment Report from Cinema United Highlights Exhibition’s Commitment to Reinvesting in the Consumer Experience

Eight Largest Circuits Surpass $900 Million Mark in Twelve Months

WASHINGTON, D.C. and LOS ANGELES, CA – September 16, 2025 – A new report issued today by Cinema United highlights that the North American exhibition industry re-invested more than $1.5 billion in their theatres in the past year, demonstrating a clear financial commitment to creating the premium entertainment experiences that fans of movies on the big screen crave. This industry total includes re-investment of $920 million from the eight largest circuits in the United States and Canada. A year ago, those same eight circuits alone pledged their commitment to invest more than $2.2 billion to modernize and upgrade theatres of all sizes over a three-year period.

From Cinema United, the trade association representing nearly 64,000 screens worldwide, the Cinema Investment Report highlights the overall depth and breadth of these investments across the industry and the impact they have on communities of all sizes. From upgrading projectors, sound equipment and screens (there are nearly 6,000 premium large-format screens worldwide) to adding dynamic food & beverage options (dine-in cinemas represent 10% of the North American box office), cinemas today sit at the forefront of the experiential economy, driving local business and providing positive financial growth for a myriad of industry partners, including construction, architecture, marketing and advertising, retail and dining. More than 100,000 jobs around the world are directly related to the innovation and investments highlighted in this report.

“Exhibition is a Main Street industry,” says Michael O’Leary, President and CEO of Cinema United. “Theatre owners aren’t just re-investing in their facilities; they are investing in cities and towns of all sizes across the United States and Canada. The beneficiaries of this commitment will, of course, be movie fans of all ages but also local businesses and the talented contractors and craftspeople who help bring these renovations to life.”

In addition to showcasing the capital investments being made in theatres, the report also highlights the local vendors who led construction and renovation efforts that movies fans everywhere will enjoy.

“Movie theatres provide an unmatched entertainment experience for people around the world, but they are also important cornerstones in their communities. The re-investment and innovation underway at theatres of all sizes will bolster local economies by driving revenue and creating jobs,” says Bob Bagby, CEO of B&B Theatres and Chair of Cinema United. “Every day, movie theatres create jobs, partner with local vendors and attract movie fans who also support surrounding businesses.”

Cinema United members featured in this report include AMC, B&B Theatres, Cinemark, Cineplex, Cinépolis, Golden Ticket Cinemas, Harkins, Marcus, Ojai Playhouse, Penn Cinema, Phoenix Theatres (headquartered in Detroit), Regal and Santikos.

Partners mentioned also include Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce (Clarksville, Tenn.), GastingerWalker (architecture firm in Kansas City, Mo.), Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce (Joplin, Mo.), Kinectiv (advertising/marketing firm in Lancaster, Pa.), KEPH Construction (Dadeville, Ala.), Kupiec Architects (Santa Barbara, Calif.), Prosser Wilbert (construction company in Kansas City, Mo.) and Speedwell Construction (Manheim, Pa.).

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.

August 27, 2025

Cinema United Attends CinéShow 2025

[Left to Right: Cinema United’s Michael O’Leary, Steve Schoaps (Strothers Cinema), Jeff Benson (Cinergy), Randy Hester (Hometown Cinemas), Morris Schulman (Schulman Theatres), Brian Shander (Marcus Theatres), Joel Davis (Premier Cinemas)]

Cinema United’s President & CEO Michael O’Leary, Chief Operating Officer Lou DiGioia, and Director of Government Relations and Independent Theatre Owner Engagement Todd Halstead attended CinéShow 2025 at the Marriott Dallas Allen Hotel & Convention Center from August 25-27.

O’Leary spoke at the event and focused on successes at the Summer box office, the promising relate slate for the rest of 2025, benefits for exhibition in President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, and two upcoming Cinema United events: The Fall Summit and CinemaCon.

Joel Davis (Premiere Cinemas, TOMA Board President) was named Statesman of the Year, while the Frank Liberto Award went to Larry Etter (Malco) and the Distinguished Service Award recipient was Tim Patton (Cinema Service).

Cinema United thanks Diane Feffer, Executive Director of CinéShow, and her team of dedicated volunteers who make the show happen.

August 8, 2025

Cinema United Attends ShowSouth

[Left to Right: Georgia Theatre Company’s Bo Chambliss, Cinema United’s Lou DiGioia, and ShowSouth’s Robin Miller-Price]

As another strong Summer movie season winds down, Cinema United COO Lou DiGioia attended the ShowSouth convention at Georgia’s beautiful Lake Lanier Islands Lodge.

DiGioa delivered a presentation to attendees focused on a wide range of topics including: rebranding the trade association, tax benefits for theatres in President Trump’s new tax bill, a new Future Leaders in Cinema program, and the next round of the organization’s Strategic Planning process.

Joel Davis from Premiere Cinemas was named Statesman of the Year at the event, Mack Clark from Clark Theatres was Variety’s Big Heart Recipient, Vistar was named Vendor of the Year, and Disney was named Studio of the Year.

“We are all a part of a wonderful industry and our main goal is to always improve the moviegoing experience,” says Robin Miller-Price, the show’s Executive Director.

July 12, 2025

Cinema United Member Shankweiler’s Drive-In Featured on GMA

GMA stopped in Pennsylvania to visit Shankweiler’s Drive-In—the world’s oldest operating drive-in movie theatre—as part of their 50 States in 50 Weeks series.

Each week, a GMA anchor or correspondent will visit a new state, following the order in which they joined the United States.

Along the way, GMA will spotlight the beauty of the people who make up America, inviting viewers to share the people in their neighborhood and state who make it the best place to live.

Shankweiler’s Drive-In was established in 1934. For over 90 years, it has delighted audiences with double features on its large outdoor screen. Located in the Lehigh Valley, Orefield, Pennsylvania, just off Route 309.