Cinema

• The Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) 2026 will take place from July 3 to 11, 2026, celebrating its 25th edition with a strong focus on Asian genre cinema. • The festival will feature new works by prominent Asian directors such as Yeon Sang-ho, Joko Anwar, and Kiyoshi Kurosawa, showcasing films like "Colony", "The Furious", and "Sleep No More". • NIFFF highlights films from various Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea, China, and the Philippines, demonstrating its commitment to promoting international genre cinema.

• The Welsh-language film *Effi o Blaenau* has officially been released in cinemas across the UK. • The plot centers on a young woman struggling with unemployment and the socio-economic challenges of living in a town in north Wales. • The film is being highlighted for its ability to transport audiences into a specific culture and language, offering a "sensational" glimpse into regional Welsh life.

• The European movie market is entering a period of sustainable growth and innovation projected through 2034, driven by a blend of digital streaming and immersive cinema experiences. • The industry's ecosystem is being shaped by a diverse mix of British productions, independent films, and strategic partnerships with Hollywood. • London continues to serve as a primary hub for both film production and cinema culture, while the Netherlands is emerging as an increasingly attractive market for growth.

More competition and loss-making sites are among the challenges for the new turnaround chief executiveWith its comfy sofas and a menu of gourmet treats including Béarnaise smash burgers and trendy Whispering Angel rosé wine at £47 a bottle, Everyman has thrived as the go-to chain for a luxury cinema trip.Yet a quarter of a century after reinventing the movie-going experience, growing from a single venue in Hampstead in London to a national player with 49 sites, the arthouse chain finds itself struggling as rivals ape its successful formula. Continue reading...

• Romanian director Cristian Mungiu won the prestigious Palme d'Or for his film "Fjord" at the 79th Cannes Film Festival on May 23, 2026. • The winning film is described as a thought-provoking drama centered on a Christian family living in Norway. • This victory marks the second time Mungiu has received the festival's top prize, cementing his status as a leading figure in international cinema.

• Europa Cinemas has launched the sixth edition of "Collaborate to Innovate," providing €947,000 in funding to support nine collaborative exhibition projects. • The initiative will benefit 51 member cinemas across Europe, focusing on innovative business models and operational improvements. • A key project includes Cineville Denmark, coordinated by Reprise Teatret in Holte, which aims to implement an unlimited subscription model for independent cinemas.

• European cinema attendance declined by 5.5% in 2025, with the total number of cinemagoers dropping to 796 million. • Despite the fall in attendance, overall box-office revenues remained stable at €6.36 billion. • This trend highlights a shift in consumer behavior and pricing dynamics within the European film exhibition market.