NATO Celebrates Oscar Nomination for Ninety-Five Senses Produced By Tori A. Baker

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THEATRE OWNERS CONGRATULATES EXHIBITOR TORI A. BAKER, OSCAR-NOMINATED FOR BEST ANIMATED SHORT  “NINETY-FIVE SENSES”
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 23, 2024 – The National Association of Theatre Owners congratulates independent film exhibitor Tori A. Baker on being nominated for an Oscar this morning in Los Angeles.  Baker was among the nominated producers for Best Animated Short Film for her production of “Ninety-Five Senses,”directed by Utah’s own Jerusha and Jared Hess (“Napoleon Dynamite,” “Nacho Libre,” the upcoming “Minecraft”).
 
Baker is the Vice Chair of The Cinema Foundation and the CEO and President of the non-profit Salt Lake Film Society, with a mission to exhibit, create and preserve cinematic experiences at the Broadway Center Cinemas and the historic 1928 Tower Theatre. Baker is also the founder of the MAST program, a media accelerator studio dedicated to finding and developing up-and-coming animators and filmmakers.
 
“You will not find anyone more passionate about cinema than Tori,” says National Association of Theatre Owners President and CEO Michael O’Leary. “Her excitement for the cinema as a community gathering place is contagious, and it’s an honor to work with her. To see her commitment to filmed entertainment result in an Oscar nomination is truly special and well-deserved. She is a champion of the arts and tireless supporter of the theatrical experience and I know that everyone in exhibition will be cheering her on at the 96th Academy Awards in March.”  
 
“Tori is one of our strongest voices in the independent cinema world,” says Bryan Braunlich, Executive Director of The Cinema Foundation. “Her dedication to the big screen is legendary. We are grateful to Tori for her hard work in helping The Cinema Foundation meet its mission to strengthen the cinema industry and engage moviegoing audiences around the country.”
 
“Congratulations to every single individual involved with ‘Ninety-Five Senses’, including the talented directing team Jerusha and Jared Hess, the incomparable Tim Blake Nelson, fellow producer Miles David Romney and undoubtedly the amazing animators,” says Baker. “When a true community collaboration comes together, brilliant things can happen. We’re thrilled that the Academy continues to recognize the importance of short film in discovering and promoting new and diverse talent to embolden the future of our industry. We will ensure that the theatrical release of ‘Ninety-Five Senses’ garners even more attention for our artists and talents.”

More information on the “Ninety-Five Senses” animators can be found here.

Learn more about the film:

The Cinema Foundation Announces National Popcorn Day,  with Major Discounts on Movie Concessions, Arriving at a Theatre Near You on January 19th

National Popcorn Day Celebrates the Joy of the Favorite Movie Snack with Discounted Pricing at Participating Theatres

LOS ANGELES – January 12, 2024 – The Cinema Foundation, in partnership with Fandango, announced the arrival of National Popcorn Day, coming to a theatre near you on Friday,  January 19th. This beloved date celebrates the joy of snacking America’s favorite concession at theatres with discounted concession prices, unlimited popcorn refills, free popcorn with the purchase of a drink and other special promotions at participating U.S. theatres. To find participating theatres and their individual offers, visit your local movie theatre’s website or app or visit Fandango.  

More than 30,000 screens across the country will participate in the one-day event featuring discounts on popcorn, and other concessions only in theatres. New movies playing in theatres include Mean Girls (Angourie Rice, Reneé Rapp), The Beekeeper (Jason Statham), Ava  DuVernay’s Origin (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor), Blumhouse’s Night Swim (Wyatt Russell, Kerry  Condon), The Book of Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield), I.S.S. (Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina), the theatrical re-releases of Christopher Nolan’s Golden Globe Award-Winning Oppenheimer,  Pixar’s Soul, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, plus recent holiday releases like  Wonka, The Color Purple, Migration, Hollywood’s top awards season contenders, and so much more.  

“Popcorn at the movies was first introduced 95 years ago, and it’s been an inseparable part of the moviegoing experience ever since,” says Bryan Braunlich, Executive Director of The  Cinema Foundation. “National Popcorn Day will bring together millions of film fans of all ages to  watch new movies on the big screen while enjoying their favorite theatre snacks at discounted  prices.”  

“We are excited to continue to partner with The Cinema Foundation to celebrate National  Popcorn Day in theatres nationwide,” said Jerramy Hainline, EVP of Fandango. “The  moviegoing experience is where people connect, emotions flow freely, and on January 19th fans  can experience the magic of the big screen with their favorite movie snacks in hand at a  discounted price.”  

According to the National Association of Concessionaires: 

• Popcorn is American moviegoers’ favorite snack food. 

• Popcorn represents more than 60% of snack food sales at the nation’s theatres. • 4.5 billion quarts of popcorn are consumed at U.S. movie theatres and other live venues every year. 

According to a Fandango survey of more than 6,000 moviegoers: 

• 94% purchased concessions during their trips to theatres. 

• 88% said they order popcorn regularly.

Popcorn historian Andrew F. Smith, author of “Popped Culture,” estimates that popcorn was introduced at movie theatres in 1929 around the advent of talking pictures.  

For more details, visit your local theatre site or app or Fandango.  

ABOUT THE CINEMA FOUNDATION 

The Cinema Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit dedicated to promoting and enhancing the cinema exhibition industry through activities such as training and education,  career development, diversity, and inclusion, moviegoing promotion, and data and research efforts. 

Since March 2022, the Cinema Foundation’s mission has been dedicated to shaping the future of the great collective experience of moviegoing and the cinema industry. It works to support and impact the health of the cinema sector both in the short term and for years to come, while continuously expanding its contributions to the magic of moviegoing. The Cinema Foundation builds on the National Association of Theatre Owners’ mission and relationships and expands  NATO’s impact in ways that help individual employees, companies and the industry as a whole.  For more info, visit www.thecinemafoundation.org.  

ABOUT FANDANGO 

Fandango digital network provides unrivaled, instant access to all things movies and TV,  enhancing fan enjoyment across the entire entertainment journey. The portfolio serves more than  50 million unique visitors per month and includes leading online movie ticketer, Fandango, which  tickets for 31,000 U.S. movie screens; world-renowned entertainment review site, Rotten  Tomatoes; and Vudu, the on-demand streaming service offering the industry’s best selection of  4K UHD titles and more than 250,000 new release and catalogue movies and next day TV shows. 

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CONTACT 

Phil Contrino 
Director of Media & Research, NATO 
610-844-2459 
prc@natodc.com 

Harry Medved 
Media Relations, NATO/The Cinema Foundation 
310-200-1201 
harry@thecinemafoundation.org

NATO Applauds 2023 National Film Registry Selections

25 Films Chosen for Recognition and Preservation by the Library of Congress 

WASHINGTON, DC – December 13, 2023 – The National Association of Theatre Owners  (NATO) today applauded the induction of 25 films into the National Film Registry, overseen by the Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden. Created by Congress, the National Film Registry highlights America’s movie heritage, and the need to preserve film for future generations.  

Each year, films are selected based on their cultural, historic and/or aesthetic and artistic importance, and must be at least ten years old. This year’s selection of 25 films brings the number of titles in the registry to 875 and are among the 2 million moving images in the  Library’s collections. NATO is represented on the Library’s National Film Preservation Board by  Joseph Masher, NATO Board Member and CEO of New York’s BTM Cinemas, and Michael  O’Leary, NATO President & CEO. 

“Preserving films is like safeguarding the memories of our cultural evolution,” said  Masher. “This registry ensures that the art of storytelling through cinema endures for  generations to come.” 

“For more than a century, movies have shaped the American experience, with cinemas playing a vital role in our communities and cultural landscape,” said O’Leary. “On behalf of theatre  owners the world over, we applaud the Library’s important work in recognizing and preserving  these special works so that moviegoers can continue to discover classic films on the big  screen.” 

This year’s newly announced National Film Registry list showcases a diverse collection of films dating back more than 100 years ago. 

Films Selected for the 2023 National Film Registry 

(chronological order) 

• A Movie Trip Through Filmland (1921) 

• Dinner at Eight (1933) 

• Bohulano Family Film Collection (1950s-1970s) 

• Helen Keller: In Her Story (1954) 

• Lady and the Tramp (1955)

• Edge of the City (1957) 

• We’re Alive (1974) 

• Cruisin’ J-Town (1975) 

• ¡Alambrista! (1977) 

• Passing Through (1977) 

• Fame (1980) 

• Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) 

• The Lighted Field (1987) 

• Matewan (1987) 

• Home Alone (1990) 

• Queen of Diamonds (1991) 

• Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) 

• The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) 

• The Wedding Banquet (1993) 

• Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision (1994) 

• Apollo 13 (1995) 

• Bamboozled (2000) 

• Love & Basketball (2000) 

• 12 Years a Slave (2013) 

• 20 Feet from Stardom (2013) 

Public Nominations for the National Film Registry 

In addition to recommendations made by the Library’s National Film Preservation Board, the public submitted 6,875 titles for consideration this year. Several titles selected this year drew  significant support, including “Home Alone” and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.” The public can submit nominations throughout the year on the Library of Congress’ website. Nominations for next year’s list will be accepted until Aug. 15, 2024. To nominate for the 2024 Registry,  visit www.loc.gov/film.

You can read more about the films selected in the official announcement and the Library of  Congress on social media platforms at @librarycongress. 

ABOUT NATO 

The National Association of Theatre Owners is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 34,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and more than 28,000  additional screens in 88 countries worldwide. For more info, visit www.natoonline.org.  

CONTACT 

Phil Contrino 
Director of Media & Research, NATO 
610-844-2459 

Harry Medved 
Media Relations Advisor, NATO 
310-200-1201

Classic Cinemas’ Chris Johnson to Receive 2024 NATO Marquee Award at CinemaCon 2024

The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) will honor Chris Johnson, the chief executive officer of Classic Cinemas, with the 2024 NATO Marquee Award during next year’s CinemaCon. The announcement came today from Mitch Neuhauser, the managing director of CinemaCon.

CinemaCon, the official convention of NATO, will be held April 8th-11th, 2024 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Johnson is being recognized by NATO for his unequaled dedication, commitment, and service to the motion picture theater industry. He will receive the industry’s highest tribute as part of CinemaCon’s State of the Industry program on Tuesday, April 9th.

Johnson currently serves as the chief executive officer of the family-run Classic Cinemas, where he began his career at the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove, IL. While earning his BA from the University of Illinois and his MBA from the University of Chicago, Johnson took on various roles in the company, from usher to assistant manager, manager, concessions manager, and operations manager, before ultimately being named vice president in 1992 and CEO in 2014.

Founded in 1978 by the Johnson family, Classic Cinemas is the largest Illinois-based theater chain with 137 screens in 16 locations. Many of Classic Cinemas’ locations are historic downtown theaters, having undergone renovations that honor the buildings’ character while seamlessly integrating the latest technology.

In addition to serving as the President of NATO Illinois, Johnson also currently serves on NATO’s executive board, technology committee, regional restructuring task force, bylaws committee and is the former chair of the strategic planning committee. Most recently, in honor of the history of Classic Cinemas, Johnson was inducted into The Erik Lomis ShowEast Hall of Fame Class of 2023 along with his mother Shirley and his late father Willis, who passed away this past August.

“Chris Johnson embodies everything that is great about the exhibition industry,” said NATO’s chief executive officer Michael O’Leary. “Proudly carrying on the tradition of his family, Chris is a leader in our industry.  Always focused on what the movie going public wants, Chris is smart, innovative, and passionate about movies on the big screen. His voice is respected by his colleagues in exhibition and the motion picture industry overall. I always value his perspective and can think of no one more deserving of this honor. Congratulations to Chris and his family.”

When told he would be receiving this honor, Johnson remarked, “I love this industry, and I’m humbled to be selected for this prestigious award.” Johnson has dedicated the past 40+ years to exhibition, from his first movie as a teenage usher (Star Trek: The Motion Picture) to CEO. His hands-on approach includes a willingness to listen, ask questions, and respectfully share his opinion for the betterment of the industry. “My goal is to elevate moviegoing and the cinema business for everyone.”