ITOC Connect’s event at CinemaCon 2026 was a huge success!
Cinema United’s President and CEO Michael O’Leary and Jason Reitman, a proud Cinema United member and a charter member of Cinema United’s new Filmmaker Leadership Council. The Oscar-nominated director recently led a group of thirty directors to purchase and save the historic Village Theater in Westwood, CA.
Reitman spoke about how movie theaters are community hubs, and that he wants his theater to be connected to the broader exhibition community. He also stressed the importance of reaching younger audiences who value the communal experience of moviegoing.
HighRock’s Brett R. King moderated a panel on movie theater culture featuring Salt Lake Film Society’s Tori A. Baker, Penn Cinema’s Penn Ketchum, and Flix Entertainment’s David Meillier. The insightful conversation looked at how establishing strong company values at movie theaters can create a better customer experience and build employee loyalty and fulfillment.
Golden Link’s Craig Chapin led a conversation with Music Box Theatre’s Claire Alden, Cinergy Entertainment’s Traci Hanlon, and Southampton Playhouse’s Jack Heller about many creative ways to boost loyalty at movie theaters.
The event ended with a Studio Meet-and-Greet that allowed Cinema United members and distributors to connect and talk about the exciting film slate in 2026 & beyond.
Thank you to the ITOC leadership–Becky Dupuis, Paul Gunsky, Lauren McChesney, and Todd Halstead–for putting together such valuable programming!
The Leading Voice of Independent Theatre Owners
The Independent Theater Owners Coalition (ITOC) champions the advancement of independent exhibitors as the backbone of the cinema industry by fostering collaboration and advocating for pro-growth policies that drive innovation, build communities, and advance the moviegoing experience.
Independents Bring People Together
Small business and nonprofit cinemas are not just entertainment hubs that drive local economies, they’re vital cultural beacons that bring people together by offering a window to the wider world and fostering a sense of belonging and shared experience.
From rural towns to urban centers, ITOC members are deeply rooted in the communities they serve. Cinema United represents hundreds of independent movie theatres that offer the only cinematic experience for miles in small towns across the country.
Membership:
ITOC membership is open to all Cinema United member companies operating independently. This inclusive approach ensures a wide representation and diverse input from various independent cinema operators.
ITOC Leadership:
The coalition’s volunteer leadership is at the forefront of discussions and advocacy efforts for independent cinema operators within the industry.
Paul Gunsky
Cinelux Theatres
paul@cineluxmovies.com
Lauren McChesney
Shankweiler’s Drive In
shankweilers.drivein@gmail.com
Becky DuPuis
Polson Theatres
becky@polsontheatres.com
ITOC Events
ITOC convenes bi-annually, gathering in the spring during CinemaCon and in the fall at the Fall Summit, to discuss advancements and challenges within the independent cinema sector. Additionally, ITOC hosts monthly member webinars that are designed to merge in-depth studio marketing presentations on the promotion of upcoming films with informative sessions on essential business strategies.
Contact Information:
For further details about ITOC and how to get involved, please reach out to Todd Halstead (todd@cinemaunited.org).