UNIC - International Union of Cinemas

29/05/2026

“Balance is about making choices and being fully present in those moments.”

This month’s interview features Cathy Huis in 't Veld-Esser, CTO of Gofilex Netherlands and a former mentor in the third edition of the UNIC Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme. She reflects on building an innovative global platform for the cinema industry, navigating leadership in technology, and the importance of representation, confidence, and trusting your own expertise.

For this month's interview, we're delighted to feature Cathy Huis in 't veld‑Esser, CTO, Gofilex Netherlands, and former mentor in the third edition of the UNIC Women's Cinema Leadership Programme. Here she reflects on her journey and experience as a senior leader in the industry.

28/05/2026

🎬 Planning to join CineEurope in Barcelona this June?

🗓️ Register by 18 June — make sure to register online to secure the online rates!
📋 The schedule of events has been updated, with new sessions and programme information.
🏨 Partner hotels are also almost fully booked, so attendees are encouraged to reserve accommodation as soon as possible.

🔗 Register here: https://filmexpos.com/registration-info-cine-europe/
🔗 View the updated schedule: https://filmexpos.com/schedule-of-events-cineeurope/
🔗 Book partner hotels: https://filmexpos.com/cineeurope-hotels/

26/05/2026

A busy and inspiring week for UNIC at the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival!

From meetings with the European Commission and MEPs on AgoraEU, the AVMSD and copyright, to panels on cinema exhibition, event cinema, advertising and public funding — to name just a few — it was a packed few days for UNIC.

The week also included speaking engagements, meetings with members and partners, and a special gathering bringing together current and former participants of the Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme.

Read more about UNIC’s activities in Cannes here:

UNIC joined the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival and took part in events from 14 to 19 May 2026.

21/05/2026

Congratulations to this year’s winners of the UNIC/Coca-Cola Retail Award 2026: Kinepolis and Omniplex Cinema Group! 🎉

The award recognises outstanding and innovative retail concepts that help elevate the cinema experience and strengthen audience engagement across Europe.

Looking forward to celebrating the winners at CineEurope 2026 in Barcelona next month.

Read more here:

BRUSSELS / NEW JERSEY – 20 MAY 2026: Kinopolis and Omniplex recognised for standout retail experiences that elevate cinema exhibition.

18/05/2026

UNIC was delighted to attend the UK Cinema Association Conference on “Retention, Reach, Revenue – Growing Cinema Audiences”, which took place on 12 and 13 May 2026 at Vue London Westfield.

Bringing together exhibitors, distributors and industry partners from across the UK and European cinema sector, the conference explored key topics including audience engagement, youth audiences, accessibility, AI discoverability, premium experiences and the future of cinema exhibition.

Across two days of discussions and networking, the event highlighted the sector’s continued creativity and resilience in attracting and growing cinema audiences within an evolving entertainment landscape.

Read more in our latest blogpost:

UNIC was delighted to attend the UK Cinema Association Conference on “Retention, Reach, Revenue – Growing Cinema Audiences”.

15/05/2026

🎉 Join us in celebrating the outstanding individuals and organisations recognised at this year’s CineEurope Awards in Barcelona!

From exhibitors and distributors to technology partners and cinema professionals across Europe, the 2026 honourees reflect the passion, innovation and resilience that continue to drive our industry forward.

Congratulations to all award recipients, including:

🏆 Multiplex Ukraine – CineEurope International Exhibitor of the Year
🏆 Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros. Pictures – International Distributor of the Year
🏆 Phil Clapp, UK Cinema Association & UNIC – UNIC Award of Achievement
🏆 Roger Harris, Unique X – Distinguished Career Award
🏆 Disney’s Avatar: Fire & Ash – Comscore European Box Office Achievement Award
🏆 As well as this year’s Gold Award recipients from across the European cinema sector and the Retail Award, to be announced soon.

We look forward to coming together in Barcelona from 22–25 June to celebrate the people and companies shaping the future of the big screen experience.

Find the latest schedule here:
https://filmexpos.com/schedule-of-events-cineeurope/

Register now and join us at CineEurope 2026 here:
https://filmexpos.com/registration-info-cine-europe/

11/05/2026

𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗮. 𝗖𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲. 📽️

Thousands of Cinema professionals from across Europe and beyond have come together around this simple but urgent message: Europe needs cinema. Cinema needs Europe.

They have signed an Open Letter calling on the European Commission, the European Parliament and Member States to preserve and reinforce the

programme as a major instrument of support for European independent .

For more than 35 years, MEDIA has helped European stories travel across borders supporting independent production, theatrical distribution in cinemas, festivals, training, and a thriving film and audiovisual ecosystem across the continent.

Today, that success story is under threat. As part of negotiations on the EU budget for 2028–2034, the European Commission proposes to integrate MEDIA into the new AgoraEU programme. While the overall budget may increase, the current proposal offers no guaranteed, dedicated funding for the film and audiovisual sector. The text remains vague with no assurance that the key actions that made MEDIA successful will continue.

The open letter celebrates MEDIA's role in promoting cultural diversity, artistic freedom, jobs, innovation and European soft power, and calls for the programme's future to be secured and its resources reinforced.

The petition is still open. You can sign and add your name here:

https://form.jotform.com/261123392857056

08/05/2026

The conversations shaping the future of cinema start at CineEurope 2026.

The latest version of the CineEurope 2026 Schedule of Events is now available, featuring newly confirmed sessions, speakers and partners ahead of this year’s 35th Anniversary edition.

As the industry gathers in Barcelona, CineEurope will once again bring together exhibitors, distributors, technology partners and cinema professionals from across Europe and beyond.

Cinema is evolving — CineEurope is where the industry comes together to move forward.

📍Barcelona
📅22–25 June 2026

View the latest Schedule of Events:
https://filmexpos.com/schedule-of-events-cineeurope/

Register now here:
https://filmexpos.com/registration-info-cine-europe/

If your organization is a sponsor or trade show exhibitor, more information on the registration process will be available soon.

07/05/2026

🚨 Applications are open for the LUX Audience Award Young Talent Programme 2026.

Europa Cinemas is looking for 27 young cinema professionals (one per EU country) to join a fully funded programme in Strasbourg (5–8 October 2026, TBC), including trainings, networking, and the official LUX Audience Award film announcement at the European Parliament.

👤 Open to cinema professionals up to 35 years old working in programming, marketing, audience development, or related roles.

📅 Deadline: 15 June 2026

👉 More info & apply:

https://www.europa-cinemas.org/en/news/network-highlights/young-talent-programme-call-for-applications-2026

29/04/2026

🎬 CineEurope 2026: Celebrating Industry Leadership

We are delighted to see Jeff Goldstein recognised as the “International Distributor of the Year” at CineEurope 2026.

This well-deserved honour highlights his outstanding contribution to international film distribution and his continued commitment to bringing diverse, high-quality content to audiences worldwide.

The award will be presented on 23 June 2026 at the Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona, as part of the 35th anniversary edition of CineEurope in Barcelona.

Full Press Release:
https://www.unic-cinemas.org/en/resources/news/news-blog/detail/jeff-goldstein-of-warner-bros-pictures-to-receive-international-distributor-of-the-year-award-at/

👉Join us in Barcelona to mark the occasion:
https://dcixq-cmpzourl.maillist-manage.com/click/11216d59a1b294ba3/11216d59a1b2924ce

NEW JERSEY/BRUSSELS – APRIL 2026 –Jeff Goldstein, President, Global Theatrical Distribution of Warner Bros. Pictures has been named as the 2026 recipient of the “International Distributor of the Year” award at CineEurope. The award will be presented during CineEurope on Tuesday, 23 June at t...