2022 Gold Award Nominees Announced…

Posted by Madeline Blank

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      

 

2022 CINEEUROPE GOLD AWARDS RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED

 

BRUSSELS, NEW YORK – May 2022: The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) and the Film Expo Group are delighted to announce the recipients of the 2022 CineEurope Gold Awards, given to cinema professionals in recognition of their outstanding dedication and service to the sector.  The Awards will be presented as part of the CineEurope Awards Ceremony on Thursday 23 June at the Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain.

 

The Gold Awards, introduced at CineEurope 2018, recognise cinema professionals – often in roles that do not necessary command the spotlight – who have made an exceptional contribution both to the ongoing success of their company or organisation and to the wider European cinema industry.

 

The recipients of the 2022 Gold Awards are as follows:

 

Sylviane Amata, Head of Construction Department, UGC

Mike Bradbury, Group Head of Cinema Technology, ODEON Cinemas Group

Kiril Enikov, Head of Technical (UK), Cineworld

Thomas Erler, Operations Manager, Kinopolis

Suzanna Holmqvist, CMO, Svenska Bio

Eric Meyniel, International Content Director, Kinepolis

Jon Nutton, Marketing Director, Empire Cinemas

Eva Rekettyei, Programing Director, Yelmo Cines

 

Welcoming today’s announcement, UNIC President Phil Clapp said:

 

“On behalf of all UNIC members, I would like to congratulate each of the CineEurope Gold Awardees for their great achievement, which reflects the respect and admiration they command from their peers and colleagues from across the industry. I would also like to thank them for the hard work, passion and dedication they have each brought to helping make European cinemas thrive. The 2022 Awards prove once again that the strength of our industry lies in its people.

 

We look forward to celebrating with the Gold Awardees at CineEurope in June!”

 

Andrew Sunshine, President of The Film Expo Group, added: “On behalf of our entire team at the Film Expo Group, we would like to congratulate all of those being recognized with a Gold Award this year for their continued support and dedication to our great industry. We are delighted to be able to continue with this tradition not only again this year, but for years to come.”

 

About CineEurope

 

CineEurope 2022 will take place 20-23 June at the Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain. CineEurope is the longest-running and most successful European convention and trade show for major, regional, and independent cinema professionals. CineEurope will feature exclusive screenings and product presentations of upcoming films, sponsored events, timely and informative seminars, and the CineEurope Trade Show. CineEurope is the Official Convention of the Union Internationale des Cinémas/International Union of Cinemas (UNIC).

 

About UNIC

 

The Union Internationale des Cinémas/International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) represents the interests of cinema trade associations and cinema operators covering 39 countries in Europe and neighbouring regions.

 

About Film Expo Group

 

The Film Expo Group is the premier organizer of events in the motion picture industry. The Film Expo Group produces CineEurope, held in Barcelona; ShowEast, held in Miami; and CineAsia, held in Bangkok.

 

Further enquiries

 

lhoulgatte@unic-cinemas.org / +32 2 880 99 39 | #CineEurope &@CineEuropeBCN

 

Géke Roelink to Receive 2022 UNIC Achievement Award

Posted by Madeline Blank

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BRUSSELS, NEW YORK – 20 April 2022: GÉKE ROELINK, Managing Director of Filmhuis Den Haag, has been named as the 2022 recipient of the UNIC Achievement Award, given each year in recognition of outstanding dedication and service to European cinema exhibition. The Award will be presented as part of the CineEurope Awards Ceremony on Thursday 23 June at the Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain.

Géke Roelink has dedicated her career to bringing communities together through the Big Screen experience. A key figure in the Dutch cinema industry for over 20 years, Géke has been the Managing Director of Filmhuis Den Haag since 2011. Under her leadership, the arthouse cinema located in The Hague has become one of the most successful cinemas in The Netherlands with around 320.000 visitors a year including 20.000 students and pupils.

Géke believes that films and cinema-going play a crucial role in social inclusion and are pivotal to a harmonious society. Her efforts have put Filmhuis Den Haag at the centre of The Hague’s cultural life and transformed the local cinema into a hub for social and cultural exchange, something recognised when Filmhuis Den Haag received the Europa Cinemas Award for Best Programming in 2015.

Géke specialises in film programming, marketing and cultural management. She studied at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague and at the Amsterdam University of Arts and also completed a leadership programme at de Baak as part of her leadership development.

Her previous roles have included Director of Presentation at the Eye Filmmuseum (2002-2010) and Head of Marketing Communication and Study Information at the University of Amsterdam (1998 – 2002). Géke has also held a variety of Non-Executive Director and board level positions. Among other positions held, Géke was a Board Member of the Netherlands Union of Cinemas (NVBF) for more than 7 years.

Currently, Géke is also an advisor to the Netherlands Council of Culture and a Supervisory Board Member of the Imagine Film Festival in the Netherlands. She has also been a mentor in the UNIC Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme.

Welcoming the announcement of the Award, Phil Clapp, President of UNIC said:

“We are absolutely delighted to honour Géke at CineEurope 2022. The award recognises her incredible passion for the Big Screen, her outstanding career path and her key role in developing both the Dutch and European cinema-going experience.

On behalf of the UNIC Board and colleagues from across the industry, I would like to congratulate Géke for this wonderful achievement”.

 About CineEurope

CineEurope 2022 will take place from 20-23 June at the Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain. CineEurope is the longest-running and most successful European convention and trade show for Major, Regional, and Independent cinema professionals. CineEurope will feature exclusive screenings and product presentations of upcoming films, sponsored events, timely and informative seminars and the CineEurope Trade Show. CineEurope is the Official Convention of the Union Internationale des Cinémas/International Union of Cinemas (UNIC).

About UNIC

The Union Internationale des Cinémas/International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) represents the interests of cinema trade associations and cinema operators covering 39 countries in Europe and neighbouring regions.


About Film Expo Group

The Film Expo Group is the premier organizer of events in the motion picture industry. The Film Expo Group produces CineEurope, held in Barcelona; ShowEast, held in Miami; and CineAsia, held in Hong Kong.

Further enquiries

lhoulgatte@unic-cinemas.org / +32 2 880 99 39 | #CineEurope | @CineEurope

 

Steve Knibbs, COO of VUE International to Receive 2022 “International Exhibitor of the Year” Award at CineEurope ’22

Posted by Madeline Blank

STEVE KNIBBS, COO OF VUE INTERNATIONAL, TO RECEIVE “INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITOR OF THE YEAR” AWARD AT CINEEUROPE 2022

 

Steve Knibbs, COO of VUE International, has been named as the 2022 recipient of the “International Exhibitor of the Year” award at CineEurope. The award will be presented as part of the CineEurope Awards Ceremony hosted by the Coca-Cola Company on Thursday 23 June, at the Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain.

 

Each year at CineEurope, this award is given to a cinema exhibitor whose accomplishments and leadership make them a standard-bearer for the industry.

 

“It gives us great pleasure to present the International Exhibitor of the Year award to Steve Knibbs,” said Andrew Sunshine, President of The Film Expo Group. “Steve and colleagues at VUE International have created one of the most expansive and successful exhibition circuits in Europe. We are delighted that we will have the opportunity to single out his achievements at CineEurope this year.”

 

Welcoming the announcement, Phil Clapp, President of the European cinema trade body UNIC, said: “We know that colleagues across the global cinema industry will join us in congratulating Steve on this well-deserved award. Steve is amongst the most respected and admired executives currently working in exhibition and has been instrumental in building VUE International into the powerhouse it is today. We look forward to celebrating with him in Barcelona.”

 

Steve Knibbs has 35 years of experience in the cinema industry.

 

Joining AMC Cinemas in the UK in 1987, Steve worked at the first purpose-built multiplex in the UK and Europe – The Point in Milton Keynes.

 

Following AMC’s acquisition by Paramount Pictures and Universal Studios, and its renaming as United Cinemas International (UCI), Steve worked as a General Manager and then Area Manager, opening a number of new multiplexes across the UK, before becoming Managing Director of the UK and Ireland business in 1993 and then Senior Vice President of Northern Europe for UCI in 1998.

 

This latter role saw him overseeing operations in more mature European markets such as the UK, Ireland, Germany and Austria alongside emerging markets including Poland, the (then) Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.

 

In 2003, Steve left UCI to join Tim Richards at SBC, working as COO on the consolidation of the UK business, which then became Vue Cinemas and now Vue International. After the successful integration of Warner Village into the Vue brand, 2003 to 2012 saw further market consolidation such that by the end of 2012 Vue UK and Ireland had 84 sites and 778 screens

 

European consolidation from 2012 onwards saw the acquisitions of CinemaxX Germany and Denmark followed by Multikino Poland and Baltics in 2013, The Space Cinemas Italy in 2014, JT Bioscopen Netherlands in 2015 and Cinema3D in Poland in 2019, all now successfully integrated into the Vue International Group structure.

 

Steve continues to be instrumental in the day-to-day operations of Vue International, working alongside CEO and Founder Tim Richards, CFO Alison Cornwell and the company’s highly experienced senior Group team and Territory General Managers.

 

About CineEurope

 

CineEurope 2022 will take place 20-23 June at the Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain. CineEurope is the longest-running and most successful European convention and trade show for major, regional, and independent cinema professionals. CineEurope will feature exclusive screenings and product presentations of upcoming films, sponsored events, timely and informative seminars, and the CineEurope Trade Show. CineEurope is the Official Convention of the Union Internationale des Cinémas/International Union of Cinemas (UNIC). The Coca-Cola Company will once again be the Official Corporate Sponsor of CineEurope.

 

About UNIC

 

The Union Internationale des Cinémas/International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) represents the interests of cinema trade associations and cinema operators covering 39 countries in Europe and in neighbouring regions.

 

About Film Expo Group

 

The Film Expo Group is the premier organizer of events in the motion picture industry. The Film Expo Group produces CineEurope, held in Barcelona; ShowEast, held in Miami; and CineAsia, held in Bangkok.

 

Additional information can be found at www.filmexpos.com.

 

Media Contact:

Dawn.blaschick@filmexpos.com

 

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STUDIOCANAL’s CEO, Anna Marsh, to Receive “International Distributor of the Year” Award at CineEurope 2022

Posted by Madeline Blank

STUDIOCANAL’S CEO, ANNA MARSH, TO RECEIVE “INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR” AWARD AT CINEEUROPE 2022

Anna Marsh, CEO of STUDIOCANAL (a CANAL+ Company) has been named as the 2022 recipient of the “International Distributor of the Year” award at CineEurope. The award will be presented as part of the CineEurope Awards Ceremony hosted by the Coca-Cola Company on Thursday 23 June, at the Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain.

“We could not be more excited to honor our good friend Anna Marsh with this year’s award” stated Andrew Sunshine, President, Film Expo Group. “She defines what an executive is and is well respected throughout our industry. Anna is a natural leader who has helped take STUDIOCANAL—the European leader in the production and distribution of features films and TV series —to the next level and could not be more deserving of this award” continued Sunshine.

“We are delighted that Anna will be recognised as International Distributor of the Year at CineEurope 2022. STUDIOCANAL remains a crucial partner of European cinema exhibition and has shown itself to be fully committed to bring the best of European films to the Big Screen. This award recognises Anna’s leadership, her outstanding dedication and extraordinary passion for our industry,” stated Laura Houlgatte, CEO of UNIC.

Anna Marsh has nearly 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. After graduating from the University of Otago in New Zealand and then HEC, she began her career in 2002 in the International Sales department of Tele Images Productions (Marathon group), before becoming International Sales Manager at TF1 International.

Anna joined STUDIOCANAL in 2008 as VP International Sales. In 2013, she was appointed Head of International Distribution Strategy, and shortly after Head of International Sales. In 2017, she was appointed EVP, International Distribution at STUDIOCANAL and in March 2019, she was appointed Managing Director of STUDIOCANAL UK.

In December 2019, Anna was appointed CEO of STUDIOCANAL.

About STUDIOCANAL (a CANAL+ Company)

STUDIOCANAL, a 100% affiliate of CANAL+ Group held by Vivendi, is Europe’s leader in production, distribution and international sales of feature films and TV series, operating in all four major European markets —France, United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain—as well as in Australia and New Zealand.

STUDIOCANAL finances and produces around 30 films per year, partnering with talent to make films in several languages, including English, French, German, Spanish and Danish to name a few. STUDIOCANAL distributes around 50 films per year and owns one of the largest film libraries in the world, boasting nearly 6,500 titles from 60 countries. Spanning 100 years of film history, this vast and unique catalogue includes among others the iconic Terminator 2, Rambo, Breathless, Mulholland Drive, The Graduate, The Third Man, and Belle de Jour. Among STUDIOCANAL’s biggest successes are Paddington 1 and 2, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Non-Stop, The Stronghold, Black Box, or A Boy called Christmas.
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STUDIOCANAL also produces more than 200 hours of TV series each year and operates at an international level, by globally distributing its scripted productions and CANAL+ Création Originale (1,000 hours of current and library content in distribution).

STUDIOCANAL produces its series either directly (such as Paddington which won two Emmy Awards) or through its network of award-winning European production companies, including TANDEM Productions (Shadowplay) and LAILAPS FILMS (Wild Republic) in Germany, the UK’s RED Production Company (Stay Close, It’s a Sin, Years and Years) and URBAN MYTH FILMS (War of the Worlds, Extinction), Spain’s BAMBÚ PRODUCCIONES (Two Lives, Jaguar, Cable Girls) and France’s STUDIOCANAL ORIGINAL (Nine Women, Narvalo, Mouche). STUDIOCANAL is also an associate of Benedict Cumberbatch’s production company SUNNYMARCH TV (Patrick Melrose) and Danish-based SAM Productions founded by Søren Sveistrup and Adam Price (The Chestnut Man, Ride Upon The Storm). STUDIOCANAL and the CANAL+ Group, being aware of their responsibility as a media company, producer and distributor of content, share Vivendi’s eagerness to promote ambitious and inclusive creations, which also address the urgency of climate change.

About CineEurope
CineEurope 2022 will take place 20-23 June at the Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain. CineEurope is the longest-running and most successful European convention and trade show for major, regional, and independent cinema professionals. CineEurope will feature exclusive screenings and product presentations of upcoming films, sponsored events, timely and informative seminars, and the CineEurope Trade Show. CineEurope is the Official Convention of the Union Internationale des Cinémas/International Union of Cinemas (UNIC). The Coca-Cola Company will once again be the Official Corporate Sponsor of CineEurope.

About UNIC
The Union Internationale des Cinémas/International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) represents the interests of cinema trade associations and cinema operators covering 39 countries in Europe and in neighbouring regions.

About Film Expo Group
The Film Expo Group is the premier organizer of events in the motion picture industry. The Film Expo Group produces CineEurope, held in Barcelona; ShowEast, held in Miami; and CineAsia, held in Bangkok.

Additional information can be found at www.filmexpos.com.

Media Contact:

Dawn.blaschick@filmexpos.com

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CineAsia 2022 Announces Venue in Bangkok

Posted by Madeline Blank

The Film Expo Group is pleased to officially announce that CineAsia is returning to Bangkok, Thailand from 5-8, December 2022. The venue selected will be the TRUE ICON HALL with screenings and presentations to be held at the Icon Cineconic, Major Cineplex’s theatre located within the facility.After having to cancel the 2021 event due to the COVID-19 pandemic, management had no trouble deciding to return to Bangkok as the location for 2022. “The support from local exhibition is extraordinary. The theatres are among the best designed and technically enhanced in the world,” stated Andrew Sunshine, President of Film Expo Group which manages the convention.Hosting the convention in Bangkok in 2022 is Major Cineplex, repeating their role from 2002 when the convention moved from Hong Kong to this vibrant city. Khun Vicha Poolvaraluk, chief executive officer of Major Cineplex Group Public Company Limited, expressed his gratitude on behalf of Major Cineplex Group for selecting Thailand as the host country for CineAsia 2022. “Our team at Major Cineplex looks forward to welcoming back the industry at CineAsia 2022 in our new state-of-the-art Icon Cineconic cinema venue at true Icon Hall. We feel there is not a better facility in the region to be hosting such a group of industry leaders from around the world. Similarly, all participants of CineAsia 2022 will no doubt be looking forward to a visit to one of the most friendly and hospitable cities in the world here in Bangkok,” stated Poolvaraluk.GDC Technology returns in its role as the presenting sponsor of CineAsia. “We’re delighted that Dr. Man Nan Chong, CEO, is providing his support to CineAsia,” stated Mr. Sunshine.Additional support from SF Cinemas and its managing directors Suvit and Suwat Throngpompo promise that CineAsia 2022 will be one of the best attended shows since its inception in 1996.CineAsia is the only international convention dedicated to the Asian cinema exhibition and distribution community. CineAsia screens major Hollywood films and presents an educational program on issues affecting the Asian cinema exhibition industry. CineAsia also presents Awards of Distinction to APAC distribution and exhibition executives.Film Expo Group is the premier organizer of events in the motion picture industry. The Film Expo Group produces ShowEast, held in Miami; CineEurope, held in Barcelona; and CineAsia, held in Bangkok.The events feature exclusive screenings of upcoming films, product presentations of films in production, educational seminars led by industry leaders, and a trade show with equipment and concessions suppliers to movie theatres. An awards ceremony honoring recent trailblazers within the industry is also a major part of the convention.For questions and comments, please email cineasia@filmexpos.com.

PAUL HOLLIMAN TO BE INDUCTED INTO SHOWEAST HALL OF FAME

Posted by Madeline Blank

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PAUL HOLLIMAN TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE SHOWEAST HALL OF FAME

NEW YORK, NY, APRIL 2022 – Paul Holliman, (retired) Executive at Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, will be inducted into the ShowEast 2022 Hall of Fame. He will be presented with this special honor at the Hall of Fame Luncheon on Thursday, October 20 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.

“On behalf of our entire team at the Film Expo Group, we would like to congratulate Paul and recognize him with a Hall of Fame Award this year for his continued support and dedication to our great industry,” states Andrew Sunshine, President of The Film Expo Group,

The ShowEast Hall of Fame annually recognizes individuals who have made an exceptional contribution both to the success of their company or organization and also to the wider cinema industry.

Paul Holliman was an executive at Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures for 32 years. He started his career as a projectionist at Commonwealth Theatre’s 50-S Drive in Theatre in Emporia, Kansas. Commonwealth took him to Kansas City as a manager, Denver as a booker, and then Dallas as a regional film buyer. In Dallas, Disney approached Paul to join their theatrical distribution team. At Disney, Paul progressed from branch manager of the smallest branch, New Orleans/Memphis, to the largest branch, Los Angeles, over a six-year period.

Once in California, Paul became active in Variety: The Children’s Charity of Southern California, as a board member and officer, and with the Will Rogers Motion Pictures Pioneers Foundation, where he has been an advisory board member and active member of the Brave Beginnings Neo-Natal Grant Committee for many years.

At Disney, Paul rapidly moved up to Vice President, Assistant General Sales Manager. During that period, Paul championed innovation and technology, overseeing theatrical distribution for “Fantasia 2000,” the first commercial studio motion picture released in IMAX® theaters. The release generated nearly $50 million from just 54 venues, and established IMAX as a commercial distribution format. In addition to overseeing the release of dozens of specialized and large format movies, Paul turned his attention to Digital Cinema. He quickly identified digital 3D as a method to drive digital adaption by cinemas and was a key part of the team of Disney, RealD, Dolby, and Industrial Light+Magic that delivered the first digital 3D release, “Chicken Little,” to theatres in 2005, installing the first 2K digital cinema projectors, negotiating the first VPF agreements, and converting the finished 2D film to 3D in record time. “Chicken Little” overperformed in 3D, enabling the beginning of industry transformation to digital cinema. Paul became head of Worldwide Digital Cinema and Strategic Planning at Disney and oversaw the global conversion to digital cinema, a massive 10-year project that created costs savings for studios in the billions of dollars. Paul oversaw the first live commercial sporting events broadcast digitally to cinemas with NCAA football and basketball games in 2007. Paul negotiated the first satellite distribution agreement for a studio with OpenSky and Eutelsat in Italy in 2010 and defined operational protocols around satellite delivery and digital cinema still in use today. Paul was active in DCI on both the Technical Committee and Members Representative Committee, serving as MRC chairperson in 2014. Paul was president of the Inter-Society of Motion Pictures.

Paul is retired and lives in Williamsburg, Virginia. He is an active angel investor, Mentor at 500 Startups, and coaches budding CEOs around the world at early-stage technology startups. He frequently lectures at universities and accelerators on Cinema, Technology, Angel Investing, and Portfolio Theory. Paul is married to his wife of 39 years, Teresa. They have two children and two grandchildren.

About ShowEast

ShowEast will take place from October 17-20, 2022 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel in Miami, Florida. After 35 years, ShowEast is the longest-running and most successful film convention for major, regional, and independent cinema professionals. The show will attract an estimated 2,000 domestic and Latin American motion picture industry professionals and will feature product presentations and screenings of major upcoming films, exclusive sponsored events, plus exciting and informative seminars.

About Film Expo Group

The Film Expo Group is the premier organizer of networking events in the motion picture industry. The Film Expo Group produces ShowEast, held in Miami; CineEurope, held in Barcelona; and CineAsia, held in Bangkok

Additional information on ShowEast can be found at www.showeast.com.

Media Contact: dawn.blaschick@filmexpos.com

 

 

 

MARK CHRISTIANSEN TO RECEIVE “SALAH M. HASSANEIN HUMANITARIAN” AWARD AT SHOWEAST

Posted by Madeline Blank

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARK CHRISTIANSEN TO RECEIVE “SALAH M. HASSANEIN HUMANITARIAN” AWARD AT SHOWEAST

NEW YORK, NY — APRIL 2022: Mark Christiansen, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Distribution Operations at Paramount Pictures, will receive the ShowEast “Salah M. Hassanein Humanitarian” Award at ShowEast 2022. He will be presented with this special honor as part of the Final Night Awards Ceremony sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company on Thursday, October 20 at the Loews Miami Beach.

Established in 1987, the Salah M. Hassanein Humanitarian Award is presented each year to a company or individual in the industry that has made an impact in the philanthropic community.

 “Mark defines what it means to be the Hassanein Award winner. His commitment to our industry and its charities are second to none,” stated Andrew Sunshine, President, Film Expo Group. “We are honored to recognize his achievements.”

Mark Christiansen is EVP, Worldwide Distribution Operations, at Paramount Pictures.  His group is responsible for localizing, packaging, and delivering Paramount’s feature and marketing product around the world.  He previously held operations and sales positions at DreamWorks, MGM, and Columbia Pictures.

Mark is also Chairman, Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation.  As a result of financial hardships caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the WRMPPF provided cash distributions to over 10,000 members of the exhibition and distribution community (98% exhibition).  Mark also supports the CHP 11-99 Foundation and the University of Oregon.

About ShowEast

ShowEast will take place from October 17-20, 2022 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel in Miami, Florida. After 35 years, ShowEast is the longest-running and most successful film convention for major, regional, and independent cinema professionals. The show will attract an estimated 2,000 domestic and Latin American motion picture industry professionals and will feature product presentations and screenings of major upcoming films, exclusive sponsored events, plus exciting and informative seminars.

About Film Expo Group

The Film Expo Group is the premier organizer of networking events in the motion picture industry. The Film Expo Group produces ShowEast, held in Miami; CineEurope, held in Barcelona; and CineAsia, held in Bangkok

Additional information on ShowEast can be found at www.showeast.com.

Media Contact: dawn.blaschick@filmexpos.com

 

 

LISA BUNNELL TO RECEIVE THE “BINGHAM RAY SPIRIT” AWARD AT SHOWEAST

Posted by Madeline Blank

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LISA BUNNELL TO RECEIVE THE “BINGHAM RAY  SPIRIT” AWARD AT SHOWEAST

NEW YORK, NY, APRIL 2022 – Lisa Bunnell, President of Distribution at Focus Features, will be honored with this year’s “Bingham Ray Spirit” Award at ShowEast. She will be presented with this special honor as part of the Final Night Awards Ceremony sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company on Thursday, October 20 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.

The Bingham Ray Spirit Award was established in 2012 in honor of the late Bingham Ray, one of the most beloved people in the independent film world. Each year, the award is bestowed upon an individual who has shown exemplary foresight and creativity in the world of independent film.

“It is with great pleasure that ShowEast will honor Lisa with the Bingham Ray Spirit Award,” stated Andrew Sunshine, President of The Film Expo Group. “Lisa’s passion for independent film has brought some of the most successful, important, and talked about indie films to the masses. We congratulate her on this well-deserved honor.”

A longtime advocate for art and independent films, Lisa Bunnell is President of Distribution at Focus Features, overseeing all domestic theatrical release plans and bookings for Focus Features.   In her five years at Focus, she has been responsible for the distribution of the Academy Award winning films, Phantom Thread, The Darkest Hour, BlacKkKlansman, and Promising Young Woman, among many others.

Previously, Bunnell was Vice President of Film for Landmark Theatres for 10 years where she programmed the chain’s 261 screens in 26 markets throughout the U.S.  The industry veteran also worked for over 17 years at Loews Theatres in New York City in the Film Buying Department.

Having organized many film series early in her career, Bunnell has been a speaker at The New School, NYU, Hunter College, TIFF, and film festivals and conventions around the country.

About ShowEast

ShowEast will take place from October 17-20, 2022 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel in Miami, Florida. After 35 years, ShowEast is the longest-running and most successful film convention for major, regional, and independent cinema professionals. The show will attract an estimated 2,000 domestic and Latin American motion picture industry professionals and will feature product presentations and screenings of major upcoming films, exclusive sponsored events, plus exciting and informative seminars.

About Film Expo Group

The Film Expo Group is the premier organizer of networking events in the motion picture industry. The Film Expo Group produces ShowEast, held in Miami; CineEurope, held in Barcelona; and CineAsia, held in Bangkok

Additional information on ShowEast can be found at www.showeast.com.

Media Contact: dawn.blaschick@filmexpos.com

 

 

MIGUEL MIER TO INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITOR OF THE YEAR AWARD AT SHOWEAST

Posted by Madeline Blank

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MIGUEL MIER TO INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITOR OF THE YEAR AWARD AT SHOWEAST

NEW YORK, NY, APRIL 2022 – Miguel Mier, Chief Operating Officer at Cinépolis, will receive this year’s International Exhibitor of the Year Award at ShowEast. He will be presented with this special honor as part of the International Awards Luncheon on Monday, October 17 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.

“We are extremely honored to present Miguel with this award at ShowEast this year. There is no better example in our business that truly represents what this award is all about” stated Andrew Sunshine, President of the Film Expo Group. “Miguel’s leadership and commitment to Cinépolis has made it the company it is today.”

Miguel is the Chief Operating Officer at Cinépolis, the largest cinema chain operator in Latin America and the third largest worldwide with 6,728 screens in 17 countries across America, Europe & Asia.

Miguel started his career in Cinepolis in 1994 as head of IT, developing and implementing the first Mexican software for operating theatres. Since 2003, in his current position as COO, he manages Operations, Film Booking, Marketing, IT, HR, Sales, and International Operations.  During Miguel’s tenure as COO, Cinépolis has evolved from a company running 390 screens in Mexico to a company with 6,728 screens in four continents.

Miguel launched the international operations in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Panama before going to study an MS in Management at Stanford GSB in 2006. While at Stanford GSB, Miguel wrote a business plan to expand Cinépolis to India. That academic research paper served as a framework for Cinépolis’ International growth not only to India but also to Brazil, Chile, Spain, and the USA.  In 2014 he was appointed as a non-family board member. In 2017 he produced the first feature film from an Indian movie in Mexico: “Tres Idiotas” the Mexican remake of the Bollywood Blockbuster “Three Idiots.”  In 2019 he produced for Cinépolis Productions the Mexican remake of the Italian hit “Perfect Stangers.”

Since 2015 Miguel teaches “Film Exhibition Management” at the Masters in Entertainment Industry Management at Carnegie Mellon University in LA.

In January 2020, he graduated from an MFA program in Creative Writing from Queens University in Charlotte, NC.

About ShowEast

ShowEast will take place from October 17-20, 2022 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel in Miami, Florida. After 35 years, ShowEast is the longest-running and most successful film convention for major, regional, and independent cinema professionals. The show will attract an estimated 2,000 domestic and Latin American motion picture industry professionals and will feature product presentations and screenings of major upcoming films, exclusive sponsored events, plus exciting and informative seminars.

About Film Expo Group

The Film Expo Group is the premier organizer of events in the motion picture industry. The Film Expo Group produces ShowEast, held in Miami; CineEurope, held in Barcelona; and CineAsia, held in Bangkok

Additional information on ShowEast can be found at www.showeast.com.

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Media Contact: dawn.blaschick@filmexpos.com

 

 

 

ELIZABETH O’NEIL TO RECEIVE THE AL SHAPIRO DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD AT SHOWEAST

Posted by Madeline Blank

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ELIZABETH O’NEIL TO RECEIVE THE AL SHAPIRO DISTINGUISHED SERVICE  AWARD AT SHOWEAST

NEW YORK, NY, APRIL 2022 – Elizabeth O’Neil: Executive Director, Variety, The Children’s Charity of Southern California, will receive this year’s Al Shapiro Distinguished Service Award at ShowEast. She will be presented with this special honor as part of the Final Night Awards Ceremony hosted by The Coca-Cola Company on Thursday, October 20 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.

Each year, the Al Shapiro Distinguished Service Award honors a person who represents the ideals and standards that the late Al Shapiro set during his unparalleled career. The award epitomizes their dedication, care and concern for the betterment of people within the motion picture industry.

“We are thrilled to honor Elizabeth with this award at ShowEast this year. There is no better example in our industry that truly represents what the Al Shapiro award is all about” stated Andrew Sunshine, President of the Film Expo Group. “Her dedication, service and commitment to our community is second to none.”

Elizabeth O’Neil, Executive Director of Variety, The Children’s Charity of Southern California Tent 25, was born in Milton, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. Elizabeth’s love of movies is rooted in fond memories of fun Saturday nights when she and some, or all, of her 9 siblings would load into the family station wagon and head to a drive-in.

Ms. O’Neil began her career at USA Cinemas in Boston in 1986 as a co-op advertising coordinator.  Being buried in Boston Globe “tear sheets” did not dampen her love of cinema marketing and she eventually moved to New Jersey when Loews Theatres acquired USA Cinemas.  Loews became the Sony Theatre Corporation (now AMC Theatres), and Elizabeth moved up the ranks to the position of Director of In-Theatre Marketing at the Fifth Avenue home office before relocating to Los Angeles in 1997 to join Theatrical Entertainment Services (TES), a Los Angeles based company specializing in market research for the motion picture industry. As the Senior Vice President of Sales and Client Relations for TES, Ms. O’Neil helped oversee the European expansion of the company when it was purchased by TNS Media Intelligence, a worldwide market research firm. She moved to Technicolor Cinema Distribution and held the position of Vice President of Client Relations for a year and a half before returning to TES where she was asked to join the Board of Directors at Variety, the Children’s Charity of Southern California. Ms. O’Neil was a member of the Board of Directors of Variety of Southern California for 3 years before assuming the role of Executive Director in 2008. While at Variety of Southern California, Ms. O’Neil has overseen the organization’s growth from a 2-star to the highest 4-star rating on Charity Navigator.

Mike Polydoros, President of Variety, The Children’s Charity of Southern California, adds “Having worked with Elizabeth for almost 30 years and the privilege to work with her as President of Variety of Southern California for the last 2 years, I cannot think of anyone who is more deserving of this award. She is the heart and soul of our charity.”

In addition to her passion for Variety, the Children’s Charity, Ms. O’Neil is on the Board of Directors of STEP – Success Through Education Program and is an avid supporter of several dog rescue organizations.

Ms. O’Neil graduated from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana in 1984 and received her Master of Arts Degree from Emerson College in Boston in 1986.

About ShowEast

ShowEast will take place from October 17-20, 2022 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel in Miami, Florida. After 35 years, ShowEast is the longest-running and most successful film convention for major, regional, and independent cinema professionals. The show will attract an estimated 2,000 domestic and Latin American motion picture industry professionals and will feature product presentations and screenings of major upcoming films, exclusive sponsored events, plus exciting and informative seminars.

About Film Expo Group

The Film Expo Group is the premier organizer of networking events in the motion picture industry. The Film Expo Group produces ShowEast, held in Miami; CineEurope, held in Barcelona; and CineAsia, held in Bangkok

Additional information on ShowEast can be found at www.showeast.com.

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Media Contact: dawn.blaschick@filmexpos.com