19/03/2007

The 8th Printemps du cinéma, an annual three-day event organised by the National Federation of French Cinema (FNCF) and presided over by Jean Labé, kicked off yesterday. Until Tuesday, filmgoers can see any film for only €3.50 in cinemas nationwide.

In 2006, a record 2.6m filmgoers attended the event. This year French exhibitors are hoping for a repeat of last year’s performance, as admissions for the first two months of 2007 are down 6.8% (34.3m) compared to results for the same period in 2006, which were boosted by the phenomenal success of Les Bronzés 3 [+see also:
trailer
film profile].

The event should also benefit two big winners at the recent Cesar awards (see news): Pascale Ferran’s Lady Chatterley [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] and Guillaume Canet’s Tell No One [+see also:
trailer
film profile], which are getting a second life at the box office, attracting 285,000 and almost 3m respectively after 19 weeks on screens.

On the occasion, the FNCF stated that "with 5,373 screens and a total seating capacity of over one million, French cinemas have the fourth highest seating capacity in the world after China, the US and India", and the first in Europe. Out of the 2,149 cinemas in France, there are 1,046 arthouse cinemas and 146 multiplexes. Last year French cinemas screened 594 new films at an average ticket price of €5.88.

With regard to exhibition, on Friday the Centre National de la Cinématographie (CNC) gave its approval for a two-year period to the UGC Unlimited Pass at €5.03 (see news), while carrying out preparatory work with a view to working with professionals on distribution practices in cinemas, which are presently giving rise to a debate between exhibitors, distributors and producers.

(Translated from French)