EC cinema owners call for continued window exclusivity
April 29, 2013
By Colin Mann
The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) – the body representing the majority of cinema operators in Europe – has called on European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes, representatives of the Culture and Legal Affairs Committees of the European Parliament and other high-ranking EU officials to maintain an exclusive and sustainable theatrical window to enable European films to reach audiences, emphasising that such exclusivity was the only means to finance the wealth of European films that exists today.
Ad Weststrate, President of UNIC, commenting on meetings held with the legislators, said it was particularly important to reach out to Vice-President Neelie Kroes after recent comments by her regarding the future of the industry and to highlight the cultural, social and economic contribution that European cinemas make. “We were happy to establish some common ground and to hear that VP Kroes acknowledges the importance of an exclusive theatrical window for the well-being of the European cinema sector. DG Connect clearly recognises the entrepreneurial spirit of cinema exhibitors and VP Kroes underlined her desire to promote innovation in the European film industry. We look forward to working with DG Connect on helping it to refine its digital agenda for European cinema.”