27/11/2002

Germany’s theatrical distributors are worried that exhibitors’ pricing and programming policies are discouraging German filmgoers from going to the cinema. Currently exhibitors are charging people more to see films at the weekend and their programming schedules do not always cater to adult audiences who are unable to catch the film of their choice either on a weekday or even weekend evening. Although they have no intention of interfering in the work of exhibitors, the distributors would like to see more weekend afternoon slots set aside for adult-targeting films. They would also like exhibitors to stop charging more for weekend tickets.
Through their national association, Verband der Filmverleiher (VdF) distributors have asked for a series of meetings with exhibitors because they are convinced there is room for negotiation and manoeuvre.
Another important issue that is troubling distributors is the fact that exhibitors now have up to 28 days to pay rental costs, a four-fold increase on the original 8 days from when a film is first screened. Distributors feel that they are now subsidising exhibitors going through financial problems, a situation they feel is very unfair.