The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), the body representing European cinema trade associations and operators, today issued a statement condemning Universal Studios' reported decision to stream movies the same day they are released to theatres. Here is the UNIC statement:
The launch of curbside concessions pickup, powered by Vista Cinema mobile apps, allows cinemas the opportunity to generate revenue and keep a connection with their moviegoers while theatres are closed due to COVID-19. With the Vista app, moviegoers are able to place orders easily from home, drive to their local theatre and pick up their order, all with no contact. The workflow and technology emphasize speed and safety.
Steve Munga is a truly inspiring entrepreneur. Four years ago he realized his dream and opened his first movie theatre, CineKin, and his first movie distribution company, MSKD, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. That they were the first movie theatre and distribution company opened in the country is only part of the story. To full appreciate the importance of that, it helps to first have a better understanding of the continent of Africa and, in particular, the country that is the DRC.
After 2020, Sony Digital Cinema will no longer manufacture projectors for professional movie theatres, a decision that was confirmed for Digital Cinema Report by a top Sony executive. The company will continue to honor all of the maintenance agreements it has with existing customers and will continue to sell professional digital cinema projectors through the end of the year.
ABR Cinemas is a multiplex located in historic Gudivada, India and is one of Andhra Pradesh’s premier cinemas. To create a more immersive experience with even, balanced sound coverage, the exhibitor recently decided to upgrade its aging audio systems. The company hired sound integrators Digital Sound System to install three Harman Professional Solutions cinema audio systems featuring JBL loudspeakers, Crown amplifiers and state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos processors.
Digital Light Sources has reached an exclusive distribution agreement with American Ultraviolet to use its UVC disinfection equipment and systems to disinfect movie theatres in the United States in preparation for reopening.
Screenvision Media today announced the addition of The Lot to the company's dynamically growing theatre portfolio, along with new deals for Studio Movie Grill and Reading International. Concluding a milestone year of double-digit growth, Screenvision Media signed 19 exhibitor partnership deals in 2019, increasing the company's total screen count to more than 15,000 nationwide with eight of the top ten exhibitors in the country.
This is not an article I ever wanted to write. As virtually the entire world copes with the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses everywhere have tried to find ways to survive. This is particularly true of the cinema business where nearly every movie theatre has been closed – properly, for the sake of public health – by government mandate. Hardest hit have been small, independent theatres and art house cinemas. Now I have to share the news that among them, the Bethel Cinema, my local movie theatre, is shutting its doors for good.
Due to the ongoing public health impacts of the COVID-19, National CineMedia will hold its annual stockholders meeting in a virtual meeting format. The meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m. MDT on April 28 at NCM headquarters in Centennial, Colorado. Stockholders will not be able to attend in person.
Lionsgate, in conjunction with Fandango, YouTube and the National Association of Theatre Owners, is launching Lionsgate Live! A Night at the Movies, a four-consecutive Friday night live-stream of movies which kicks off tonight with The Hunger Games on the distributor’s YouTube page and Fandango’s Movieclips YouTube page.
