Cinema staff from across the UK and Ireland were recognised last week for their work in disrupting and preventing film piracy.
The 19 vigilant staff members were rewarded at a special ceremony held at Universal Pictures head office in London as part of a dedicated and extensive programme operated nationwide by the Film Distributors’ Association’s dedicated Film Content Protection Agency (FCPA).
Hosted by the FCPA’s Simon Brown, and alongside actor and special guest Tom Davis (Wonka, Paddington 2), attendees travelled to London from as far afield as Dublin, Dundee, Southampton and Glasgow, representing leading cinema operators including Cineworld, Vue, Odeon and Showcase Cinemas.
The recipients of the FCPA Rewards with Simon Brown of the FCPA and guest Tom Davis.
The staff were all presented with a cash reward along with a certificate recognising their work in identifying and tackling individuals who were illegally attempting to record films in their cinemas. Their efforts helped protect high profile titles including Paddington in Peru, Wonka, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and The Wild Robot, as well as several popular Indian films.
With 90 per cent of pirated films sourced directly from cinemas around the world, the FCPA programme is a vital element in protecting the UK & Irish film industry. As part of the programme, cinema staff from across the country receive training from the FCPA to provide them with the skills and expertise to spot and disrupt illegal recording. When they identify and report a piracy incident, they are eligible to receive an award of up to £1,000.
Welcoming the day’s events, Simon Brown, Director of the FCPA said:
‘We have a line-up full of exciting new film releases ahead of us, and these should be experienced in the best environment on the big screen at the cinema. Raising awareness of digital film piracy and empowering cinema staff is a key priority to ensure that the UK and Ireland remains the most safe and secure territory in which to release movies. I would like to thank all of the awardees for their continued vigilance and commitment, which has helped to safeguard so many great films. A huge thank you also to Kezia Williams and all at Universal Pictures for hosting this encouraging event.’