The UK Cinema Association has today warmly welcomed a message of support to UK cinemas sent by colleagues in film distribution through their trade body, the Film Distributors’ Association (FDA).
The message, sent by FDA Chief Executive Andy Leyshon, reads as follows:
‘On behalf of FDA and all our member companies, I wanted to send UKCA and the entire exhibition community a heartfelt note of support and comradeship.
With the current COVID-19 pandemic we all face an unprecedented industry-wide existential crisis, travelling together through completely uncharted waters.
We are all much saddened by the recently announced temporary closure of UK cinemas and wanted to wish all our exhibition friends/partners, their staff and loved ones our kindest regards in this time of need.
Please rest assured that this crisis will not diminish the strong bonds built between distribution and exhibition over the last century. Our sector will get through this upheaval and experience many better days to come in the future.
FDA will remain in contact with UKCA and Cinema First over the coming weeks, and, when the time comes, we should all start to consider the ambition needed to regain the hearts and minds of cinema-going audiences.’
Responding to the message, UK Cinema Association Chief Executive Phil Clapp said:
‘I know I speak for all of our members when I say how welcome is this show of support from film distribution colleagues.
While the focus in the here and now is to ensure that as many UK cinemas are able to successfully navigate the current unprecedented challenges, as the message acknowledges, when the time does come – as it will – for sites to re-open, we will be reliant as ever on film distributors for a diverse slate of films made for the big screen.’