Headlines Newsletter, 4/9/2024

Let us know when you are hosting an event or opening a new theatre! 

NOTE: Inclusion of articles in the newsletter DOES NOT equal an endorsement by NATO

CinemaCon

Screen Daily: CinemaCon: NATO’s Michael O’Leary urges investment in theatres, MPA’s Charles Rivkin fiery on piracy

O’Leary urged investors to support exhibition and touched on what is already shaping up to be a signature theme of his tenure – support for the independent sector and lower budget cinema.

“Getting more capital into the system will benefit everyone – creatives, studios, exhibition, local communities and, most importantly, movie fans,” O’Leary told attendees at The Colosseum.

“Movies on the big screen benefit everyone. More compelling movies bring more movie fans to the theatre, which in turn increases the desire of consumers to return and see what is coming next. Everyone wins.”

The NATO president and CEO continued: “We should always support partners and marketplace decisions that increase movie production and put more movies with a clear, exclusive theatrical run and marketing support into your cinemas.

“We know that a movie that begins its journey with theatrical exclusivity is more successful in every subsequent ancillary platform.”

Variety: Theater Owners Chief Warns Studios Against Relying on Blockbusters: ‘A Variety of Movies’ Is ‘Critical’ for Box Office

Michael O’Leary, the new president and CEO of the National Association of Theater Owners, is encouraging Hollywood to think smaller.

Don’t get him wrong — he loves Marvel, “Mission: Impossible” and “Fast & Furious” as much as the next exhibitor. But O’Leary is urging the major studios to prioritize more than just the tentpole properties that prop up the box office. He believes that a “variety of movies that appeal to moviegoers is critical” to the survival of the box office.

“It is not enough to rely solely on blockbusters — we must have a strong and vibrant market for movies with smaller or medium-sized budgets,” he said on Tuesday morning at CinemaCon, the exhibition trade show held annually in Las Vegas. He pointed to last year’s offerings of Cord Jefferson’s Oscar-winning literary satire “American Fiction,” romantic drama “Past Lives” and Japanese action-adventure “Godzilla Minus One” as recent examples of mid-budget successes.

Headlines Newsletter, 4/8/2024

Let us know when you are hosting an event or opening a new theatre! 

NOTE: Inclusion of articles in the newsletter DOES NOT equal an endorsement by NATO

CinemaCon

TheWrap: NATO President Michael O’Leary Stresses Need for Exhibitors to Promote ‘Small and Mid-Budget Movies’

[The Wrap] The mantra from exhibition since theaters reopened has been, “We need more movies.” But is there any particular sector of the film ecosystem that you think theaters need to see more of to get business to back to where it needs to be?

[Michael O’Leary] I would answer that in two ways. One is that it’s not just putting movies in theaters, it’s movies in theaters that have a clear period of theatrical exclusivity and are supported by marketing. The second part of it, which I think more directly answers your question and is one of the things I’m going to talk about at CinemaCon, is the need to make sure that we have a variety of films to meet the movie going public where they are and are the types of things that they want to see.

With that in mind, a big task for us as exhibitors to tackle is what we can do to help promote those small and mid-budget movies. How can we help our friends in distribution to promote them, get people aware that they can see them on the big screen and actually want to see them there? It’s not really a specific genre we need to see more of, it’s just that we need to get the word out to people that the wide range of movies that they want to see in theaters are out there.

George Miller to receive CinemaCon® International Career Achievement in Filmmaking Award

WARNER BROS. PICTURES TO RELEASE FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA ON MAY 24, 2024

WASHINGTON D.C. (April 2, 2024) – Academy Award® winner George Miller will receive this year’s CinemaCon® International Career Achievement in Filmmaking Award, Mitch Neuhauser, Managing Director of CinemaCon, announced today. CinemaCon, the official convention of NATO, will be held April 8-11, 2024, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Miller will be presented with this special honor at the International Day Lunch and Awards ceremony taking place on the afternoon of Monday, April 8, at Caesars Palace.

“George Miller, an archetypal storyteller, has transformed the imaginations of moviegoers worldwide, forever altering the cinematic landscape,” noted Neuhauser. “His filmmaking serves as a testament to his enduring impact and inspiration. We are thrilled to present him with this year’s ‘CinemaCon International Career Achievement in Filmmaking Award.’”

Releasing in theaters nationwide on May 24, 2024, Warner Bros. Pictures’ Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga sees Miller’s much-anticipated return to the iconic dystopian world he created more than 30 years ago. Starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth, Miller now turns the page again with an all-new original, standalone action adventure that will reveal the origins of the powerhouse character from the multiple Oscar-winning global smash Mad Max: Fury Road. As the world fell, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of the great Biker Horde led by the Warlord of Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland, they come across the Citadel, presided over by The Immortan Joe. While the two Tyrants war for dominance, Furiosa must withstand many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home. The film also stars Alyla Browne and Tom Burke, and is produced by Miller and his longtime partner, Doug Mitchell, under their Kennedy Miller Mitchell banner.

A native of Australia, George Miller began his professional life as a doctor and detoured into filmmaking as a writer, director and producer. Miller made his feature film directorial debut with the international success Mad Max, which he also co-wrote. The film spawned three successful sequels: Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and Mad Max: Fury Road, which brought his iconic post-apocalyptic title character back to the big screen and introduced the world to Furiosa. The film grossed more than $380 million worldwide and garnered six Academy Awards®.

Miller also won the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature Film, among numerous other accolades, for the smash hit Happy Feet. A five-time Oscar® nominee, Miller garnered nominations for Best Picture and Best Directing for Mad Max: Fury Road; Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay for his work as a producer and writer on the breakout hit Babe; and received his first nomination for Best Original Screenplay for the moving drama Lorenzo’s Oil. Additional film credits include Happy Feet 2, Babe: Pig in the City, The Witches of Eastwick and most recently, Three Thousand Years of Longing, starring Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba, among many others.

Miller serves as a Patron of the Sydney Film Festival and the Australian Film Institute. He served as President of the 69th Cannes Film Festival in 2016. In 1996 he was awarded the Order of Australia for distinguished service to Australian cinema and, in 2009, he was honored with the French Order of Arts and Letters.

On the small screen, Miller directed and executive produced the television miniseries The Dismissal, which broke all rating records in Australia, and he also produced the television projects Bodyline, The Cowra Breakout, Vietnam, The Dirtwater Dynasty, and Bangkok Hilton.

About CinemaCon

CinemaCon attracts upwards of 6,000 motion picture professionals from all facets of the industry – from exhibition and distribution to the equipment and concession areas – all on hand to celebrate the movie-going experience and the cinema industry.

CinemaCon is delighted to have both the International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) and National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) as its tradeshow partners. CinemaCon is also thrilled to have The Coca-Cola Company – one of the industry’s most highly regarded and respected partners in the world of the movies – as its official presenting sponsor.

About NATO

The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 32,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and more than 30,000 screens in 88 countries worldwide. NATO’s membership includes the largest cinema chains in the world as well as hundreds of independent theatre owners.

Additional information about CinemaCon can be found at cinemacon.com.

Media Contact

Heather Lewandoski
615.519.1747
hlewandoski@me.com

Dennis Quaid to Receive Cinema Icon Award

SHOWBIZ DIRECT TO RELEASE REAGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2024

WASHINGTON D.C. (March 28, 2024) – Multi-hyphenate globally beloved actor, musician and philanthropist, Dennis Quaid, will receive this year’s Cinema Icon Award, Mitch Neuhauser, Managing Director of CinemaCon, announced today. CinemaCon, the official convention of NATO, will be held April 8-11, 2024, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Quaid will be presented with this special honor at the Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony taking place on the evening of Thursday, April 11, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace and hosted by official presenting sponsor The Coca-Cola Company.

“From compelling dramas to exhilarating thrillers, Dennis Quaid’s remarkable career is a testament to his talent and versatility as an actor,” noted Neuhauser. “His ability to embody diverse characters has captivated audiences for decades with his dedication to crafting authentic portrayals. He is truly a Hollywood icon, and we are thrilled to present him with this year’s Cinema Icon Award.”

Quaid can be seen later this year starring as Ronald Reagan in ShowBiz Direct’s Reagan, releasing in theaters nationwide on August 30, 2024. Reagan follows the path of a young boy from the dusty roads of Dixon, IL to the glitz of Hollywood, and ultimately to the Presidency of the United States and the world stage. Narrated through the voice of former KGB agent, Viktor Petrovich (Jon Voight), who was assigned to follow Reagan when he first came to the attention of the Soviets while an actor in Hollywood. Reagan also stars Penelope Ann Miller as Nancy Reagan and Kevin Dillon as Warner Bros. Studios founder Jack Warner. The film is produced by Mark Joseph and directed by Sean McNamara.

Dennis Quaid is an Emmy® Award and two-time Golden Globe® Award nominee best known for his roles in such films as The Rookie, The Day After Tomorrow, Traffic, Vantage Point, Frequency, The Parent Trap, Soul Surfer, The Right Stuff, Breaking Away, Midway and many more. Most recently he has starred in the Paramount+ series Bass Reeves, the Max miniseries Full Circle, Netflix’s Blue Miracle, Sony’s The Intruder, Universal’s A Dog’s Journey and A Dog’s Purpose, Roadside Attractions’ I Can Only Imagine and Disney’s animated film Strange World.

On April 12, 2024, Quaid’s production company, Bonniedale, is set to release The Long Game. The film is based on the true story of a group of Mexican-American teen caddies in the 1950s who go on to out-golf the all-white country clubs that rejected them. The Long Game stars Quaid, Jay Hernandez, Cheech Marin, Julian Works, Jaina Lee Ortiz, Brett Cullen, Oscar Nuñez and Paulina Chávez.

Alongside his acting career, Quaid has also established himself as a respected singer-songwriter. His musical journey began when his grandfather bought him his first guitar, and now has hundreds of thousands of miles under his belt as a touring and recording musician. His most recent album, Fallen: A Gospel Record for Sinners, spent multiple weeks atop Billboard’s Christian/Gospel Albums chart.

Approved press image can be downloaded here.

About CinemaCon

CinemaCon attracts upwards of 6,000 motion picture professionals from all facets of the industry – from exhibition and distribution to the equipment and concession areas – all on hand to celebrate the movie-going experience and the cinema industry.

CinemaCon is delighted to have both the International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) and National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) as its tradeshow partners. CinemaCon is also thrilled to have The Coca-Cola Company – one of the industry’s most highly regarded and respected partners in the world of the movies – as its official presenting sponsor.

About NATO

The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 32,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and more than 30,000 screens in 88 countries worldwide. NATO’s membership includes the largest cinema chains in the world as well as hundreds of independent theatre owners.

Additional information about CinemaCon can be found at cinemacon.com.

Media Contact

Heather Lewandoski
615.519.1747
hlewandoski@me.com

Dan Stevens to Receive CinemaCon® Award of Excellence in Acting

STEVENS STARS IN NEON’S CUCKOO RELEASING ON AUGUST 9, 2024

WASHINGTON D.C. (March 27, 2024) – Dan Stevens will receive this year’s CinemaCon® Award of Excellence in Acting, Mitch Neuhauser, Managing Director of CinemaCon, announced today. CinemaCon, the official convention of NATO, will be held April 8-11, 2024, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Stevens will be presented with this special honor at the Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony taking place on the evening of Thursday, April 11, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace and hosted by official presenting sponsor The Coca-Cola Company.

“Over the course of the next seven weeks, Dan Stevens has three incredibly diverse films set for release with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Abigail, and then Cuckoo. Each will showcase Dan’s talents to a broad range of moviegoers, further enhancing his status as one of our most talented actors working today,” noted Neuhauser. “His dedication to his artistry and his ability to bring complex characters to life with such depth and nuance make him a standout performer. We are honored to recognize his achievements with the ‘CinemaCon Award of Excellence in Acting.’”

Stevens can be seen next month starring in NEON’s Cuckoo, releasing in theaters nationwide on August 9, 2024. Cuckoo stars Hunter Schafer as Gretchen, a reluctant 17-year-old who leaves her American home to live with her father, who has just moved into a resort in the German Alps with his new family. Arriving at their future residence, they are greeted by Mr. König (Stevens), her father’s boss, who takes an inexplicable interest in Gretchen’s mute half-sister Alma. Something doesn’t seem right in this tranquil vacation paradise as Gretchen is plagued by strange noises and bloody visions until she discovers a shocking secret that also concerns her own family. Directed by German director Tilman Singer, following his festival sensation, Luz, the film is shot on 35mm.

In addition to Cuckoo, Stevens can be seen in Adam Wingard’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, starring alongside Rebecca Hall and Brian Tyree Henry. Produced by Legendary Pictures and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, the film is set to release in theaters nationwide on March 29, 2024. He will follow that up with the April 19, 2024 release of Universal Pictures’ Abigail from directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett.

Most recently, Stevens lent his voice to the star-studded English dub of Hayao Miyazaki’s animated Golden Globe award-winning and Academy Award nominated film The Boy and the Heron. Additional credits include Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, The Rental, The Call of the Wild, Beauty and the Beast, Marshall, The Man Who Invented Christmas, The Guest, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, I’m Your Man and A Walk Among the Tombstones.

Stevens first drew international attention for his role on the ITV acclaimed series Downton Abbey. His additional credits include the highly acclaimed Marvel series Legion, HBO’s High Maintenance, Guillermo Del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, Starz’s Gaslit, Hulu’s Welcome to Chippendales, and Hulu’s animated series Solar Opposites.

In 2004, Stevens began his professional acting career in the touring production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It. He went on to perform on the West End in the acclaimed revival of Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia and in Hay Fever by Noël Coward alongside Peter Bowles and Dame Judi Dench. He made his Broadway debut in 2012 starring opposite Jessica Chastain and David Strathairn in The Heiress.

About CinemaCon

CinemaCon attracts upwards of 6,000 motion picture professionals from all facets of the industry – from exhibition and distribution to the equipment and concession areas – all on hand to celebrate the movie-going experience and the cinema industry.

CinemaCon is delighted to have both the International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) and National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) as its tradeshow partners. CinemaCon is also thrilled to have The Coca-Cola Company – one of the industry’s most highly regarded and respected partners in the world of the movies – as its official presenting sponsor.

About NATO

The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 32,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and more than 30,000 screens in 88 countries worldwide. NATO’s membership includes the largest cinema chains in the world as well as hundreds of independent theatre owners.

Additional information about CinemaCon can be found at cinemacon.com.

Media Contact

Heather Lewandoski
615.519.1747
hlewandoski@me.com

Patrick Stickney Wins CinemaCon® 2024 Art Contest for his work “Grand Exterior”

WASHINGTON D.C. (March 18, 2024) – CinemaCon is proud to recognize Patrick Stickney as the winner of the CinemaCon 2024 Art Contest for his work titled “Grand Exterior,” Mitch Neuhauser, Managing Director of CinemaCon, announced today. CinemaCon, the official convention of NATO, will be held April 8-11, 2024, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

“Stickney’s ‘Grand Exterior’ captures the essence, anticipation, and excitement of not just CinemaCon 2024, but that of moviegoing as a whole,” noted Neuhauser. “Patrick Stickney, via this initiative, represents the dedication and commitment of the global theater workforce in making the experience of going to the movies extra special. Our heartfelt congratulations to Patrick for his exceptional contribution to CinemaCon.”

Patrick Stickney, a General Manager at Classic Cinemas Elk Grove XQ in Elk Grove Village, IL, will receive a free trip to this year’s CinemaCon. His winning artwork will be prominently featured throughout the convention and showcased on t-shirts provided to all attendees. In describing his work, Stickney stated, “The Grand Marquee is what we, as guests, notice first; the warm inviting exterior will welcome anyone to your establishment.”
Sponsored by Mobile Moviegoing, the CinemaCon 2024 Art Contest was open to all creative, artistic and talented motion picture theater employees of companies represented on NATO’s advisory board. Stickney’s entry stood out for its creativity, originality, and thematic alignment with the contest’s goals.

Approved press image of “Grand Exterior” can be downloaded here.

About CinemaCon

CinemaCon attracts upwards of 6,000 motion picture professionals from all facets of the industry – from exhibition and distribution to the equipment and concession areas – all on hand to celebrate the movie-going experience and the cinema industry.

CinemaCon is delighted to have both the International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) and National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) as its tradeshow partners. CinemaCon is also thrilled to have The Coca-Cola Company – one of the industry’s most highly regarded and respected partners in the world of the movies – as its official presenting sponsor.

About NATO

The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 32,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and more than 30,000 screens in 88 countries worldwide. NATO’s membership includes the largest cinema chains in the world as well as hundreds of independent theatre owners.

Additional information about CinemaCon can be found at cinemacon.com.

Media Contact

Heather Lewandoski
615.519.1747
hlewandoski@me.com

Joseph Quinn to Receive CinemaCon® Breakthrough Performer of the Year Award

PARAMOUNT PICTURES TO RELEASE A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE ON JUNE 28, 2024

WASHINGTON D.C. and LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (March 14, 2024) – Joseph Quinn will receive this year’s CinemaCon® Breakthrough Performer of the Year Award, Mitch Neuhauser, Managing Director of CinemaCon, announced today. CinemaCon, the official convention of NATO, will be held April 8-11, 2024, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Quinn will be presented with this special honor at the Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony taking place on the evening of Thursday, April 11, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace and hosted by official presenting sponsor The Coca-Cola Company.

“With two major tentpoles on the horizon in 2024 alone, with A Quiet Place: Day One and Gladiator 2, Joseph Quinn’s star is more on the rise than anyone could have anticipated,” noted Neuhauser. “And, Quinn, who really turned heads with his important role in Stranger Things, is set to become one of The Fantastic Four, it was just announced. Certainly, receiving the 2024 Breakthrough Performer of the Year award from CinemaCon is a most timely and well-deserved accolade.”

Quinn can be seen this summer starring in A Quiet Place: Day One, releasing in theaters nationwide on June 28, 2024. The film is produced by Michael Bay, Andrew Form, Brad Fuller and John Krasinski and executive produced by Allyson Seeger and Vicki Dee Rock. Directed by Michael Sarnoski, who also wrote the screenplay, with a story by John Krasinski and Michael Sarnoski and based on characters created by Bryan Woods & Scott Beck, A Quiet Place: Day One also stars Lupita Nyong’o, Alex Wolff and Djimon Hounsou, as they experience the day the world went quiet.

Born and raised in London, Quinn began his career shortly after graduating from LAMDA when he landed a role on the BBC series Dickensian. He went on to star in BBC’s Howards End and Les Misérables, the Sky Original/HBO series Catherine The Great opposite Dame Helen Mirren. Most recently, Quinn starred as fan favorite Eddie Munson in the mega-hit Netflix series Stranger Things.

On stage, Quinn has performed in Wish List at the Royal Court Theatre, and in the critically acclaimed Mosquitos at the National Theatre alongside Olivia Colman and Olivia Williams.

On the big screen, Quinn starred in the debut feature from acclaimed filmmaker Claire Oakley, Make Up. He will next be seen in the British independent film, Hoard from debut feature director Luna Carmoon. In addition to his starring role in A Quiet Place: Day One, Quinn has also joined the cast of the highly anticipated Gladiator sequel, he will star as Johnny Storm in Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four and will play the lead in Bret Easton Ellis’ horror film Relapse.

Approved press image can be downloaded here.

About CinemaCon

CinemaCon attracts upwards of 6,000 motion picture professionals from all facets of the industry – from exhibition and distribution to the equipment and concession areas – all on hand to celebrate the movie-going experience and the cinema industry.

CinemaCon is delighted to have both the International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) and National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) as its tradeshow partners. CinemaCon is also thrilled to have The Coca-Cola Company – one of the industry’s most highly regarded and respected partners in the world of the movies – as its official presenting sponsor.

About NATO

The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 32,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and more than 30,000 screens in 88 countries worldwide. NATO’s membership includes the largest cinema chains in the world as well as hundreds of independent theatre owners.

Additional information about CinemaCon can be found at cinemacon.com.

Media Contact

Heather Lewandoski
615.519.1747
hlewandoski@me.com

Amy Poehler to Receive CinemaCon® Vanguard Award

DISNEY and PIXAR’S INSIDE OUT 2 OPENS ONLY IN THEATERS ON JUNE 14, 2024

WASHINGTON D.C. and LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (February 28, 2024) – Amy Poehler will receive this year’s CinemaCon® Vanguard Award, Mitch Neuhauser, Managing Director of CinemaCon, announced today. CinemaCon, the official convention of NATO, will be held April 8-11, 2024, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Poehler will be presented with this special honor at the Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony taking place on the evening of Thursday, April 11, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace and hosted by official presenting sponsor The Coca-Cola Company.

“Amy Poehler, in a most distinguished career, has been entertaining people on the big screen for over 20 years”, noted Neuhauser. “She is one of the most versatile, recognizable, and talented performers of our generation who simply brings joy, happiness, and a smile to our faces with each new role. In 2015, we showcased Inside Out for the global exhibition community here at CinemaCon, and now, we can’t wait to see what new ground Amy and her fellow Emotions cover in the eagerly anticipated Inside Out 2. We are honored to present her with this year’s CinemaCon Vanguard Award.”

Poehler will return this summer as the voice of Joy in Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2, releasing only in theaters on June 14, 2024. Inside Out 2 sees the return to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone. Maya Hawke lends her voice to Anxiety along with a voice cast that includes Lewis Black, Phyllis Smith, Tony Hale, and Liza Lapira. Inside Out 2 is directed by Kelsey Mann and produced by Mark Nielsen.

Best known for her starring role in the Emmy-nominated comedy series Parks and Recreation, Poehler began her career studying improv in Chicago, where she eventually co-founded the sketch/improv troupe the Upright Citizens Brigade. She then joined the cast of SNL, where she became the first-ever cast member to receive an Emmy nomination for “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series,” earning this nomination two years in a row. Following her success on SNL, Poehler went on to star as Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation — a role which earned her a Golden Globe Award, an American Comedy Award, a Gracie Award, and six consecutive Emmy nominations, along with two additional Golden Globe nominations and three Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for her work on the show.

Poehler’s film credits include The House, Sisters, Wet Hot American Summer, They Came Together, A.C.O.D., Free Birds, Are You Here, Baby Mama, Blades of Glory, and Mean Girls. In addition to lending her voice to the character of Joy in Inside Out, Poehler can be heard in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel, Monsters vs. Aliens, Horton Hears a Who!, and Shrek the Third. She also made her directorial debut in the Netflix comedy Wine Country and directed Netflix’s Moxie as well as Amazon’s documentary Lucy & Desi.

She is also the founder of Paper Kite Productions, a full-service entertainment company that produces content for traditional and non-linear platforms. Through Paper Kite, Poehler has produced several projects, including the upcoming film First Time Female Director, Peacock’s Baking It & The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, Amazon’s Harlem, the Award-winning Netflix series Russian Doll, Adult Swim’s Three Busy Debras, Fox’s animated series Duncanville, and NBC’s Making It. In addition, Paper Kite recently launched Paper Kite Podcasts in partnership with Cadence 13 and Audacy.

Outside her film and television work, she released the New York Times Best Seller “Yes Please,” returned to SNL for an Emmy award-winning performance co-hosting alongside Tina Fey, and co-hosted the Golden Globe Awards. She also continues to produce the award-winning online website “Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls” and in the Spring of 2023, kicked off the Restless Leg Tour comedy show with Tina Fey.

Approved press image can be downloaded here.

About CinemaCon

CinemaCon attracts upwards of 6,000 motion picture professionals from all facets of the industry – from exhibition and distribution to the equipment and concession areas – all on hand to celebrate the movie-going experience and the cinema industry.

CinemaCon is delighted to have both the International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) and National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) as its tradeshow partners. CinemaCon is also thrilled to have The Coca-Cola Company – one of the industry’s most highly regarded and respected partners in the world of the movies – as its official presenting sponsor.

About NATO

The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 32,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and more than 30,000 screens in 88 countries worldwide. NATO’s membership includes the largest cinema chains in the world as well as hundreds of independent theatre owners.

Additional information about CinemaCon can be found at cinemacon.com.

Media Contact

Heather Lewandoski
615.519.1747
hlewandoski@me.com

Filmmaker Shawn Levy to Receive CinemaCon® Director of the Year Award

MARVEL STUDIOS TO RELEASE DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE ON JULY 26, 2024

WASHINGTON D.C. and LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (February 16, 2024) – Filmmaker Shawn Levy will receive this year’s CinemaCon® Director of the Year Award, Mitch Neuhauser, Managing Director of CinemaCon, announced today. CinemaCon, the official convention of NATO, will be held April 8-11, 2024, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Levy will be presented with this special honor at the Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony taking place on the evening of Thursday, April 11, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace and hosted by official presenting sponsor The Coca-Cola Company.

“Throughout his impressive career, Shawn Levy never fails to give audiences what they want – the most entertaining, enjoyable and crowd-pleasing films imaginable,” noted Neuhauser. “As one of our most talented and leading filmmakers working today, we can’t wait to see what he brings to our theaters this summer with the eagerly anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine. It’s our honor to single Shawn out as our CinemaCon® Director of the Year.”

In Levy’s Marvel Cinematic Universe debut, the “merc with the mouth” is back in action with Deadpool & Wolverine, set to release exclusively in theaters nationwide on July 26, 2024. Directed,cowritten and produced by Levy, Deadpool & Wolverine stars Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni and Matthew Macfadyen. Kevin Feige, Ryan Reynolds, Levy and Lauren Shuler Donner produce with Louis D’Esposito, Wendy Jacobson, Mary McLaglen, Josh McLaglen, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, George Dewey, Simon Kinberg and Jonathon Komack Martin serving as executive producers. Deadpool & Wolverine is written by Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Zeb Wells and Levy.

Born in Montreal, Canada, Shawn Levy began his career studying performing arts at Yale University before receiving an MFA from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. In 2005, he founded 21 Laps Entertainment, a powerhouse that has produced some of the most acclaimed and commercially successful film and television content of its time, amassing over $3.2 billion worldwide at the box office. Most recently, Levy earned DGA and PGA nominations for directing and producing the Golden Globe®-nominated Netflix limited series All The Light We Cannot See, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Levy is also set to direct an upcoming Star Wars film and an international heist comedy starring Ryan Reynolds. Among the array of upcoming 21 Laps projects are the Lionsgate feature film Never Let Go, starring Halle Berry; the Netflix limited series The Perfect Couple, starring Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber; Alexander And The Terrible, No Good Very Bad Road Trip starring Eva Longoria for Disney+ and Netflix’s highly anticipated fifth season of Stranger Things.

In addition to these projects, 21 Laps boasts an impressive roster of films and series, including Academy Award®-nominated Arrival, The Spectacular Now, Cheaper By The Dozen, Shadow and Bone, Last Man Standing, The Boogeyman and Unsolved Mysteries. Among Levy’s directorial achievements are the blockbuster Night At The Museum franchise, Reel Steel, The Internship, Date Night, This Is Where I Leave You, Free Guy and The Adam Project.

About CinemaCon

CinemaCon attracts upwards of 6,000 motion picture professionals from all facets of the industry – from exhibition and distribution to the equipment and concession areas – all on hand to celebrate the movie-going experience and the cinema industry.

CinemaCon is delighted to have both the International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) and National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) as its tradeshow partners. CinemaCon is also thrilled to have The Coca-Cola Company – one of the industry’s most highly regarded and respected partners in the world of the movies – as its official presenting sponsor.

About NATO

The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 32,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and more than 30,000 screens in 88 countries worldwide. NATO’s membership includes the largest cinema chains in the world as well as hundreds of independent theatre owners.

Additional information about CinemaCon can be found at cinemacon.com.

Media Contact

Heather Lewandoski
615.519.1747
hlewandoski@me.com

Lupita Nyong’o to receive CinemaCon® Star of the Year Award

PARAMOUNT PICTURES TO RELEASE A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE ON JUNE 28, 2024

WASHINGTON D.C. and LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (February 14, 2024) – Lupita Nyong’o will receive this year’s CinemaCon® Star of the Year Award, Mitch Neuhauser, Managing Director of CinemaCon, announced today. CinemaCon, the official convention of NATO, will be held April 8-11, 2024, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Nyong’o will be presented with this special honor at the Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony taking place on the evening of Thursday, April 11, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace and hosted by official presenting sponsor The Coca-Cola Company.

“In just over ten years, Lupita Nyong’o has established herself as one of the most talented and respected actors of our time,” noted Neuhauser. “From her Oscar winning role in 12 Years a Slave to her most chilling and determined performance in Us, she never fails to surprise, captivate and engross us with each new role she undertakes. Lupita Nyong’o is recognized around the world for being a star of the highest magnitude, and CinemaCon and the global exhibition community are honored to recognize her as its 2024 Star of the Year.”

Nyong’o can be seen this summer starring in A Quiet Place: Day One, releasing in theaters nationwide on June 28, 2024. Produced in association with Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes and Sunday Night Production, the film is executive produced by Allyson Seeger and Vicki Dee Rock, alongside producers Michael Bay, Andrew Form, Brad Fuller, and John Krasinski. Written and directed by Michael Sarnoski, A Quiet Place: Day One also stars Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, and Djimon Hounsou, as they experience the day the world went quiet.

Kenyan actress, producer and New York Times Bestselling author, Nyong’o made her feature film debut in the Academy Award® winning film 12 Years a Slave for which she received the Academy Award®, the Screen Actors Guild® Award, the Critics’ Choice Award, the Independent Spirit Award and the NAACP Image Award. Additional film credits include Black Panther, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Us, Little Monsters, Queen of Katwe, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The 355. She served as an executive producer for Sudanese director Mohamed Kordofani’s feature debut, Goodbye Julia, the first-ever Sudanese feature to screen at the Cannes Film Festival, which was selected by the country to be its second-ever Academy Awards submission for Best International film.

In addition to a successful career on the big screen, Nyong’o earned a Tony® nomination for her Broadway debut in Eclipsed, won an Emmy® Award for the narration of her New York Times best-selling children’s book Sulwe, and executive produces the family program Super Sema, which is now in its third season. Nyong’o can also be heard narrating Discovery’s docuseries Serengeti, for which she has earned two Emmy® award nominations, and she will host a podcast centered on non-fiction cultural storytelling from the African diaspora.

About CinemaCon

CinemaCon attracts upwards of 6,000 motion picture professionals from all facets of the industry – from exhibition and distribution to the equipment and concession areas – all on hand to celebrate the movie-going experience and the cinema industry.

CinemaCon is delighted to have both the International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) and National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) as its tradeshow partners. CinemaCon is also thrilled to have The Coca-Cola Company – one of the industry’s most highly regarded and respected partners in the world of the movies – as its official presenting sponsor.

About NATO

The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 32,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and more than 30,000 screens in 88 countries worldwide. NATO’s membership includes the largest cinema chains in the world as well as hundreds of independent theatre owners.

Additional information about CinemaCon can be found at cinemacon.com.

Media Contact

Heather Lewandoski
615.519.1747
hlewandoski@me.com