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Movie Theaters
Box Office Highs and Lows: Theater Owners Share Thoughts on Moviegoing
The exhibition industry is gradually recuperating from the pandemic, with a promising forecast predicting that the box office will earn a whopping $32 billion by the end of 2023. While some theaters faced challenges with dwindling audiences, major chains witnessed a surge in moviegoers with highly anticipated films like Top Gun: Maverick, Minions: The Rise of Gru, and Everything Everywhere All at Once. Additionally, theater owners have been sharing their strategies for success, including their secret sauce for concessions and the optimal number of trailers to show before a movie, further enhancing the overall cinematic experience for their patrons.
International
Summer in Italy: Hollywood and Local Film To Take European Country by Storm
International distributors are aware of the challenges associated with programming in Italy, especially during the pandemic, which has significantly impacted moviegoing despite the record high set in 2019. However, studios and the local industry are determined to overcome this hurdle with a well-thought-out plan. A promotional campaign backed by a $22 million investment from the Culture Ministry aims to lure audiences back into theater seats, coupled with a new slate of highly anticipated Hollywood blockbusters. Industry experts are optimistic that this summer season will see a resurgence in cinema-going, and the Italian film industry will bounce back stronger than ever before.
Awards
Moving to the Middle: European Film Awards Shifts Date to ‘Awards Season’
The European Film Academy traditionally holds their award ceremony in December to cap off the year, but the organization is undergoing a lot of change. To boost its importance in the world of international film, the ceremony will now be held in mid-January, before the Oscars and the BAFTAs. To accommodate this shift, the 37th edition is to be held as planned in December 2024, but the 38th edition returning 13 months later in January 2026.
Measurement
Back in Favor: Nielsen Regains Industry Leverage
The upfront season has generated buzz around the emergence of new television measurement currencies. However, despite concerns over the reliability of Nielsen's ratings, the company continues to dominate the industry as a giant. Recently, Nielsen was able to regain their Media Rating Council accreditation, which had been revoked in September 2021 due to their flawed approach to counting viewership. With this important reinstatement, Nielsen has resumed working closely with major studios, reinforcing its position as a trusted source of valuable data in the media industry.
DEI
Female Filmmakers: On the Road to Parity, France Sees Increased Diversity
A recent study by Collectif 50/50, a French cinema parity group, has shown an increase in the number of female directors in French cinema from 2013 to 2022. The report reveals that women now account for 27% of all productions in the last decade, indicating a significant upward trend. However, the study also shows that women are still more likely to be involved in films with smaller budgets. In response to this gender disparity, the country’s National Cinema Centre has introduced a 15% bonus for hiring women in key crew positions. This move, coupled with the report’s findings, is a positive step towards closing the gap and promoting gender equality in the French film industry.
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