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CinemaCon 2021 Postponed to August 23-26

CinemaCon, the annual convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, will celebrate its 2021 edition four months later than previously scheduled. The next edition of the event, which attracts over 7,500 cinema professionals from around the world, will be held from August 23-26 at its usual site, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event had been previously scheduled to take place on April 26-29. Organizers cited international travel restrictions and ongoing restrictions on large gatherings stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic as the primary causes for postponement. “With all the travel, logistical, and capacity concerns for the convention, our 7,500 attendees, vendors, and studio distribution partners, we couldn’t guarantee we could present the kind of show the industry expects in April,” said CinemaCon Managing Director, Mitch Neuhauser. “In close consultation with our studio and industry partners, we are rescheduling CinemaCon for August, when we think we can put on th

Attendance is Down, Concessions Up in Marcus Theatres Q3 Earnings

It was another difficult quarter for Marcus Theatres as its parent company, The Marcus Corporation, continues to struggle in recovering lost ground from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Although revenue and attendance remain to be far from their pre-pandemic levels, Marcus Theatres is better financially situated than other exhibitors during the pandemic thanks in large part to its real estate holdings, which include most of its cinema sites. “We believe this remains a significant advantage for us relative to our peers as it keeps our monthly fixed lease payments low and provides significant underlying credit support for our balance sheet,” said Greg Marcus, president and CEO of The Marcus Corporation. Marcus Theatres reopened 80 percent of its theatres in late August as the exhibition industry anticipated the return of new studio releases, starting with The New Mutants , Unhinged , and Tenet . The circuit was forced to close 17 locations in early October, as sudden release schedul

Weekend Box Office Forecast: Focus Features Eyes Back-to-Back #1 Openers with Let Him Go

It’s been — and still is — a wild week for the United States and the entire world as the results of the presidential election remain unknown and the pandemic continues with consistent daily records of new cases. For those seeking some semblance of escapism in a safe and politics-free environment, however, this weekend will provide the latest new release hoping to provide theaters and audiences with fresh content: Let Him Go . The western-drama-thriller starring Diane Lane and Kevin Costner is the latest offering from Focus Features, under Universal Pictures, during exhibition’s mid-pandemic restart. The studio just delivered the top film of last weekend with Come Play , a horror title delivering solid results under the circumstances. Now, Focus is back in action again with what looks to be their second consecutive weekend atop the box office. Let Him Go has earned respectable social media footprints for a film aimed predominately at an audience not known for making significant onlin

Cinionic Expands into Japan with Toho Cinemas

PRESS RELEASE Toho Cinemas has selected Cinionic laser cinema projection for its new Tachikawa location, opened in September 2020. The theater is the first laser site powered by Cinionic for Toho Cinemas, one of Japan’s largest exhibitors with over 679 screens across 72 locations. Cinionic, the Barco, CGS, and ALPD cinema joint venture will provide a technology mix that includes Barco Series 4 and Barco Smart Laser units to power the multiplex. This announcement expands Cinionic’s presence in Japan, the fourth largest film market in the world. Cinionic has more than 90,000 projectors installed globally, including over 20,000 laser projectors in the field.   “We are honored to be selected by Toho Cinemas to bring Cinionic’s all-laser solutions and future-ready technology to a market as passionate about film and cinema as we are,” said Wim Buyens, CEO, Cinionic. “We look forward to working with our local partners to expand our laser footprint in Japan for a brighter moviegoer experien

Cinemark Q3 Earnings Reports: CEO Mark Zoradi Speaks on “Dynamic Theatrical Windows,” the Success of Private Rentals

Many of the questions asked of Cinemark CEO Mark Zoradi during this morning’s quarterly earnings call were about streaming and theatrical exclusivity—leading the CEO to offer some updates on their evolving windows policy as well as clarify other points about the chain’s status moving into the fourth quarter of 2020. At AMC’s Q3 earnings call, held earlier this week, CEO Adam Aron touted the chain’s deal with Universal, which can see the theatrical exclusivity window for that studio’s titles shrink from the traditional 72 days to as little as 17 at AMC theaters. Cinemark, Zoradi announced, will join AMC in playing upcoming Universal and Focus releases The Croods: A New Age , Freaky , and Let Him Go when they open in theaters this month. Cineworld, owner of Regal, the country’s second largest chain, has made no announcements about reopening the bulk of their theaters in the coming weeks, though none of the handful of Regal theaters open in NY and CA list showtimes for Focus Features’

This Week on the Boxoffice Podcast: UNIC’s Laura Houlgatte-Abbott on the Second Wave of Cinema Closures in Europe

In this week’s episode of the Boxoffice Podcast, Boxoffice Pro Editorial Director Daniel Loria and Deputy Editor Rebecca Pahle were joined by UNIC CEO Laura Houlgatte-Abbott, who broke down the still-evolving situation in Europe. Several countries there have been subject to a second wave of shutdowns —either total or in select regions. As Houlgatte-Abbott notes in the Boxoffice Podcast’s exclusive interview, those lockdowns are not targeted at cinemas, which to this point have not been identified as a site of Covid-19 spread. Earlier in the podcast, Loria and Pahle break down news and insights gleaned from earnings calls that have taken place over the last week, with AMC , Marcus, Imax , and Kinepolis updating their investors on the state of their respective businesses. Listen to the latest episode of the Boxoffice podcast embedded above or on your podcast platform of choice. Please remember to rate and subscribe, and please consider filling out our listener survey . Laura Houlgatte-

Showcase Cinemas Brings Early Christmas Magic to the U.K.

Showcase Cinemas kicked off the Christmas season early, Home Alone -style—bringing the Christmas classic to their locations for a special event on Sunday, October 25.  Visitors to the 18 Showcase U.K. locations where Home Alone was screening—the only Showcase location to miss out was their Cardiff theater, as cinemas in Wales were closed—got a free gift of chocolate along with their screening. Attendees at Showcase’s Bluewater location, the chain’s highest-attended in the U.K., got a more interactive ‘Snowcase’ experience, complete with snow machines, Santa’s sleigh, and other Christmas-themed decorations. (Absent were Kevin McCallister-inspired booby traps; probably for the best.) Billed as the U.K.’s first Christmas screening of 2020, the Home Alone event was designed to inject a bit of joy into the lives of patrons in a time when every little bit is much needed. Says Showcase’s Sales and Marketing Director Jon Dixon, “People need that escapism,” which cinema is able to deliver in

IMAX and TOHO Announce Five-Film Distribution Agreement in Japan

IMAX has announced an agreement to release five current and upcoming films from Japanese distributor and production company TOHO in IMAX theaters. The move substantially expands the two companies’ longtime partnership and marks IMAX’s largest slate deal with a studio outside of Hollywood to date. The first film released under the agreement was the TOHO/Aniplex blockbuster Demon Slayer The Movie: Mugen Train , which had a monster $44 million opening in Japan last weekend, including $2.3 million from 38 IMAX screens, breaking the all-time IMAX opening weekend record despite capacity restrictions in theaters. Forthcoming films to be released under the deal includes STAND BY ME Doraemon 2 , which is slated for release on Nov. 20. Three more films have yet to be announced. The agreement runs at least through 2021. “We have been deepening our relationship with IMAX since 2016’s Shin-Godzilla release, and I am confident to say that our partnership has been further strengthened with the relea

Film Expo Group and Cinionic Announce 2020 CineAsia Conference & Trade Show Schedule of Events

The Film Expo Group and its presenting sponsor Cinionic – the Barco, CGS, and ALPD cinema joint venture – have announced the schedule of events for the 2020 CineAsia Conference & Trade Show. This year’s convention will run entirely online between Nov. 4 and 5, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s edition features slate and content presentations from both major and independent/local studios as well as programming and special messages from industry leaders, including Khun Vicha Poolvaraluk of Major Cineplex, a Keynote Address from Gerald Dibbayawan of Cinepolis Indonesia, and an Executive Roundtable led by Boxoffice’s Julien Marcel. “We are very happy to have the support of Cinionic as our presenting sponsor for this year’s CineAsia On-Line Conference and Trade Show,” said Film Expo Group president Andrew Sunshine. “Wim Buyens and his team have been great supporters of the entire motion picture industry. Their continued dedication to this business during some of the most di

Cinionic Unveils Laser Now Initiative Offering Flexible Payment Terms for Barco Laser Projectors

Cinionic – the Barco, CGS, and ALPD cinema joint venture – has unveiled Laser Now, a new initiative that will make the transition to laser possible for more theaters than ever before. With Laser Now, movie theaters – all of which are struggling with the unprecedented financial toll brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic – will be given the option of paying less for Barco Laser projectors up front while offering three, four or five-year payment terms. The vendor-financed program follows Cinionic’s recent expansion of its portfolio of laser projectors . “We stand together with exhibition, facing the challenges in front of us with the knowledge that we must be ready for the future,” said Cinionic CEO Wim Buyens. “Laser Now financing is the embodiment of Cinionic’s promise to deliver financial flexibility, providing a route to future-proof solutions even in challenging times. Now laser projection from Cinionic for every screen can be a reality for every theater.” Cinionic’s Barco laser projec

UNIC Demands Further Public Funding Support for Cinemas During Covid-19 Crisis

PRESS RELEASE Following recent decisions requiring the closure of cinemas across a number of European countries in response to ‘spikes’ in Covid-19, European trade body the International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) has today renewed its call to national governments, the European Commission and the European Parliament to provide further public funding support to the sector to ensure that cinemas are able to survive the ongoing challenges presented by the Covid-19 crisis. This is undeniably the most challenging period faced by European cinemas in their long history. The coronavirus pandemic has dealt the sector a devastating financial blow, one from which the industry will undoubtedly take a long time to recover. The lack of major studio releases in recent months and the ever-changing need to respond to government recommendations—very often given at short notice—have resulted in massive uncertainty and risk causing irreparable damage. To say that the industry faces an existential challenge

New Company ‘Sharp NEC Display Solutions’ Formed from Acquisition

Japan-based electronics company Sharp Corporation finalized its majority acquisition of fellow Japan-based NEC Display Solutions on Sunday, creating a new joint venture called Sharp NEC Display Solutions. The business will primarily focus on visual display products and solutions, which for cinemas includes projectors, digital ticketing kiosks, and digital signage menu boards. Fujikazu Nakayama, president of business solutions of Sharp, will serve as chairman of the new business. Hisatsugu Nakatani, president of NEC Display Solutions, will serve as president. Under the new arrangement, Sharp Corporation will own 66 percent of the business, while NEC Corporation — the parent company of NEC Display Solutions — will own the remaining 34 percent. The website for the new business can be found here . The post New Company ‘Sharp NEC Display Solutions’ Formed from Acquisition appeared first on Boxoffice . from Boxoffice

CEO Adam Aron Speaks to Q3 Earnings Results, Path for AMC Moving Forward

In an earnings call with investors held on November 2, AMC CEO Adam Aron laid out the chain’s current financial situation—and the steps the largest exhibitor in North America is taking to make it through the remaining months of 2020 and into 2021.  The third quarter of 2020 saw AMC theaters reopen in much of the United States after a five-month shutdown; as of September 30, the chain had opened 467 of its U.S. locations, making up approximately 78 percent of its domestic footprint. As of November 2, Aron noted, approximately 90 percent of AMC’s U.S. cinemas are open in 44 of the 45 states in which AMC operates. (Cinemas are still not allowed to open in New Mexico.) Internationally, AMC and other exhibitors have been ordered to close cinemas in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Italy, and Catalonia, Spain . As noted by CFO Sean Goodman, “with a scarcity of big new titles” throughout Q3 2020, “attendance levels in the U.S. hovered between 10 and 20 percent of last year’s levels, while attendance

Imax Touts Success in Asian Markets as U.S. Cinema Industry Slow to Bounce Back

In a quarterly earnings call held Thursday, October 29, Imax CEO Richard Gelfond cited a “resurgent Asian box office, particularly in China and Japan” as one of the factors making Imax “among the best positioned companies in the industry to manage through” the Covid-19 pandemic and its effects on the global theatrical market. Worldwide, estimates Imax CFO Patrick McClymont, approximately 1,000 Imax screens—or 65 percent of their total network—were open as of October 29. In the company’s largest market, China, “about 99 percent” (per Gelfond) of Imax screens have returned to operation since the country’s theaters reopened in late July. China’s weekly box office grosses, said Gelfond, sit at “approximately 70 percent of second half 2019 levels,” despite both continued capacity limits (recently raised to 75%) and a lack of new Hollywood titles. Average weekly box office specifically for Imax screens is approximately 95 percent of its equivalent 2019 level.  Imax also enjoys an increased m

Kinepolis Reports Q3 Results While Facing New Round of Closures in Europe

Multi-national cinema circuit Kinepolis reported its Q3 results in the midst of another round of cinema closures across Europe, easing concerns about its financial state as the exhibition sector remains mired in the economic fallout of Covid-19. Kinepolis operates 1,081 screens across 111 cinemas worldwide. In Europe, it oversees 56 sites across Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Poland. In North America, it operates Canada’s Landmark Cinemas (45 locations) and MJR Digital Cinemas in the United States (10 locations). The circuit began its first reopening phase in July, with all European and most Canadian locations open by the end of the month. Its U.S. locations––branded under MJR Digital Cinemas––resumed operations in Michigan on October 9. By the end of October, however, Kinepolis had been forced to close all Belgian and French locations due to renewed Covid-19 restrictions. Nine additional locations––one in Granada, Spain, and eight in Canada––rema

Comscore Inks Preferred Agreement with Marcus Theatres for Next Generation Theater Management

PRESS RELEASE Comscore has announced a multi-year agreement to provide Marcus Theatres, a division of The Marcus Corporation and the fourth largest theatre circuit in the United States, with Comscore’s next generation theater and circuit management solutions. Under this agreement, every Marcus Theatre location will use Comscore Cinema ACE theater management system. Part of Comscore’s Hollywood Software Suite of Solutions, Cinema ACE will enable Marcus Theatres to connect auditoriums, centralize content management and automate the transfer of features, trailers, and encryption keys. The agreement also provides Marcus Theatres with Comscore’s Enterprise Web circuit management service, allowing Marcus Theatres to streamline operations circuit-wide and ensure shows play out as planned. “We are excited to expand our long-term relationship with Marcus Theatres for theater and circuit management,” said Arturo Guillén, Executive Vice President and Global Managing Director, Comscore Movies. “Th

Malaysian Exhibitors Decide to Temporarily Re-Close Cinema Operations

Malaysian cinema operators, acting under the trade group Malaysian Association of Film Exhibitors (MAFE), have collectively decided that operations in the country will temporarily shut down as of November, 2020.  In their official statement , released October 30, the MAFE cited recent regional restrictions on cinema reopenings as well as “a lack of new movie releases… which are essential to attract moviegoers back to the cinemas.” Cinemas in Malaysia, as a result of the MAFE’s decision, “will be progressively suspending movie screenings and/or concessions operations at their locations” as they “continue to monitor the situation and react accordingly as market conditions improve.” The country has experienced a spike in Covid cases in recent weeks, prompting the Prime Minster to order a review of regulations on social activities. The Malaysian cinema industry, writes MAFE, has suffered a year-on-year drop in admission of 90 percent compared to 2019, a state of affairs that has prompted

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: Come Play Comes First Domestically as European Exhibitors Go Dark

Focus Features’ horror title Come Play finished its first frame atop the domestic box office with a better-than-expected $3.15 million from 2,183 screens, a welcome result in an otherwise frightening week for exhibitors. Concerns are brewing at home and abroad with the Covid-19 pandemic intensifying in key cinema markets around the world, including a new daily record in the United States, just shy of a hundred thousand new cases, on Friday. In Europe, the steep rise of new infections has already caused a second round of cinema closures across major markets that include England, France, Italy, and Germany . Cinemas in the North American market are mostly open, however, even if there is a dearth of new studio titles coming into the fold. This weekend’s timely release of Come Play produced a competitive $1,447 per-screen average. Without New York City and LA, the title’s top-grossing DMAs in its opening weekend are led by Dallas, Greater New York, and Chicago––respectively accounting fo

Cinemas Go Dark in England as More Countries Join Second Round of Covid-19 Closures

Cinemas in England will be ordered to close from November 5 to December 2, the trade group UK Cinema Association confirmed over the weekend. England is the latest market in the region to announce a second round of nationwide cinema closures, as local governments scramble to curb a resurgent spike of Covid-19 infections. The entire UK and Ireland market is now facing widespread cinema closures, with Scotland expected to close cinemas through November 23. Other territories in the market have already announced their own second round of closures: Ireland went dark on October 7 and is expected to resume operations on December 2. Wales is closed through at least November 9. Northern Ireland closed in mid-October and is expected to return on November 12. The news in the UK and Ireland market culminates a grim week for exhibitors across the EMEA region. Italy closed its cinemas nationwide for the second time this year on October 26, with an announced reopening date of November 24. Belgium orde