FJI - Columns

European Academy supports cultural exception

Andreas Fuchs — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:55:00 EDT

The board of the European Film Academy () and its current president, Wim Wenders, declared their support of the petition launched by the French Association of Film Directors and Producers (ARP) to preserve Europe’s cultural exception in the EU/U.S. trade and investment negotiations staring this June.

Rehashed ghost story lures Thai audiences

Thomas Schmid — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:50:00 EDT

This month’s column is very much focused on Thailand, but for good reasons, as a number of interesting developments in the country superseded the relatively tranquil situation in other regional markets.

Oz's 'The Rocket' wins acclaim at overseas film fests

David Pearce — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:45:00 EDT

Many Australasian films choose to go to overseas festivals before launching Down Under. This can give some films a much higher recognition factor than a local premiere could ever achieve.

Making the rounds: Attending trade shows expands your knowledge

Anita Watts, FJI Concessions Editor — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:43:00 EDT

Just coming off the high from CinemaCon, I am reminded why we attend trade shows. Our industry, like others, is always evolving.

Ratings refresher: MPAA's Check the box

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:34:00 EDT

Since 1990, the Motion Picture Association of America has strived to make its movie ratings more useful to parents by describing the specific elements of a film that resulted in its rating as PG, PG-13, R or NC-17.

3D continues to grow in Russia

Andreas Fuchs — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 01:38:00 EDT

Operating 10 theatres with 62 screens in the Russian Federation, St. Petersburg-based Mirage Cinema Group joined forces with RealD to equip up to 60 auditoriums with 3D technology.

Surprises galore at Asian Film Awards

Thomas Schmid — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 01:34:00 EDT

The recent seventh Asian Film Awards, which were as usual part of the Hong Kong International Film Festival and during which 30 movies from nine countries competed for 14 prizes, yielded at least three big surprises.

Aussie directors continue to make Hollywood inroads

David Pearce — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 01:26:00 EDT

Hollywood is the Holy Grail for many an Australasian film industry professionals.

A tasty new app: Movie Food Maker raises app-etite for concession treats

Anita Watts, FJI Concessions Editor — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 01:20:00 EDT

The term “social media” is a widely cast net that includes many forms of digital interaction between people.

Felicidades, Alejandro!

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 01:01:00 EDT

Often, a person or company is singled out for an award or citation because of the size of their company, the stature of the individual within his or her industry, or because a charity feels they can raise a good amount of money by celebrating that person or entity.

From penguins to prima donnas, alternative content reaches cinemas worldwide

Andreas Fuchs — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EDT

In line with this edition’s special focus, we begin this column with some promising alternative content coming soon to cinemas worldwide.

Ireland meets Thailand in micro-budget feature 'Running to Standstill'

Thomas Schmid — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:51:00 EDT

Full-length features nowadays must have a multi-million-dollar budget or never get made at all, or so the mainstream consensus goes. Young Irish director Fergus Kavanagh won’t chime in with that chorus, though.

How's your queue? Single lines and diversions improve the customer experience

Anita Watts, FJI Concessions Editor — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:47:00 EDT

Back in November, I attended a theatre manager conference for Reading Theatres in New York, where several of their vendors gave presentations.

Domestic box office seeks relief in the Ides of March

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:50:00 EDT

As the April edition of FJI went to press last Friday, March really needed a hit. Last year it was The Hunger Games, the year before it was Rango, and the year before that it was Alice in Wonderland. March hits are kind of like its weather, though—unpredictable.

Bringing high-tech to the Berlinale

Andreas Fuchs — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 03:30:00 EST

The 63rd Berlin International Film Festival will dominate much of February’s film conversations. As we await word on the Golden Bear winner and other standout films, let’s look at the technology that enables those screenings.

Chinese comedy 'Lost in Thailand' breaks records

Thomas Schmid — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 03:24:00 EST

A wacky, domestically produced comedy has unexpectedly emerged as the most commercially successful Chinese movie to date, setting several new records. Since its opening on Dec. 12, Lost in Thailand has grossed well over one billion yuan ($160 million).

Progress and challenges in Chinese film industry

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 03:08:00 EST

China’s movie business continued its rapid growth in 2012 and for the first time in four years, Hollywood imports accounted for the majority of the box office.

Australia and New Zealand enjoy robust box office

David Pearce — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 03:06:00 EST

Australia and New Zealand achieved strong box-office results in 2012. Each registered increases over the rather lackluster results of 2011, and each had the second highest box-office total on record. (2010 was the record year for both countries.)

A new twist: PretzelHaus Bakery wins raves from exhibs

Anita Watts, FJI Concessions Editor — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 12:29:00 EST

Happy 2013! Now that a new year has started, many new ideas will be tried. Some will work and others will not. But every company will be looking for ways to improve their operation.

Cineworld Group trades up

Andreas Fuchs — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 01:02:00 EST

Prior to the March announcement of 2012 preliminary results, Cineworld Group provided an operations update, calling its “profitability in line with market expectations.”