35 Million Expected To Visit UK Cinemas In Summer Peak

Confidence is high among the UK cinema industry that this summer will be the biggest ever in terms of attendance.
The Film Distributors’ Association (FDA) hosted an event, attended by Jude Law, launching a brand new cinema trailer.
The FDA highlighted the diverse range of films expected over this summer, with 3,000 trailer prints featured on cinema screens across the country from June 15.
The FDA celebrated the line-up of spectacular films on offer for release across the UK this summer, covering not only the hugely anticipated blockbuster titles like 'Shrek the Third', 'The Bourne Ultimatum', 'Transformers', 'Surf’s Up', 'The Simpsons Movie', 'Die Hard 4' and 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix', but also more specialised fare such as Cannes hit Anton Corbijn’s 'Control', Laurie Collyer’s 'SherryBaby', David Mackenzie’s 'Hallam Foe', Laurent Tirard’s 'Molière' and a re-release of Olivier’s classic 'Henry V'.
“I’m a great fan of the cinema and of the cinema-going experience,“ said Jude Law. “The diverse array of films from all over the world due for release over the forthcoming months is proof not only that cinema is a vital and thriving art form, but that it is also amazingly resilient against competition from new technologies. There’s still something thrilling about seeing a film in a cinema.“
THE FDA point out that after a levelling off in 2006, UK cinema admissions from January to March 2007 were 39 million, up from 36.7 million in the same period last year.
May 2007 was the biggest May for five years in terms of UK cinema attendance – underlining a strong Spring season and pointing towards what should be the UK’s biggest Summer yet.
The cinema is the number one out-of-home activity for 10–17 year-olds in the UK today. According to 2007 research commissioned by FDA, 49% of young people say cinema-going is their overall favourite activity, inside or outside the home.
There is no evidence that the rapid rise in sales of flat widescreen TVs is denting cinema-going. Encouragingly, children and parents alike still regard the cinema as the ultimate film experience.
In addition to the US and UK, films on offer in July and August come from 13 different countries.
There is a marked upward trend in UK cinema-going since the mid 1980s. The anticipation is that 35 million cinema visits will be made in July and August this year. Cinema-going is at its most popular for 30 years.
"Across the UK, audiences are falling deeper in love with the cinema," said Mark Batey, Chief Executive of FDA. "This summer, when there is no major football tournament, local cinemas are offering the most compelling and enticing line-up for years. The UK is the world’s number three cinema market and 2007 promises to be a record-breaking year."
(SP)