News

Former ITV Chief Executive Adam Crozier exited the broadcaster at the end of June and has now taken the role of Non-Executive Group Chairman at Vue International. A leading exhibitor with 212 sites in 10 countries, Vue is believed to be considering a potential sale or Ipo as the sector increasingly consolidates. Founded by Tim Richards in 1999, Vue is active in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Taiwan. In announcing…...

Leicester Square site adds fully reclining chairs, updated screens.

Vue Entertainment has re-opened its flagship West End cinema today (July 10) after spending £6.6m ($8.5m) redeveloping the site.

The theatre in London’s Leicester Square now features fully reclining leather seats across nine auditoriums, Sony Digital Cinema 4K for Premium Large Format screenings and Dolby Atmos overhead and surround sound.

The venue also has a new digital screen on the outside of the building and new food and drink offerings.

Tim Richards, founder and CEO, Vue International said: “I am delighted to re-open this iconic venue, one with a heritage in big screen entertainment dating back to 1938. In this flagship we have redefined the big screen experience, setting new standards for out of home entertainment.”

Vue has 86 cinemas in the UK with 839 screens. Vue International works accross ten countries with 211 sites and 1879 screens.

Recently, CBS released the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "Hawaii Five-o" episode 2 of season 6. The episode is entitled, "Lehu a Lehu" is Hawaiian for "Ashes To Ashes," and it turns out that we're going to see some highly intense and dramatic stuff go down as a criminal threatens to set off multiple explosives in Five-o's latest case, and more! In the new, 2nd episode press release: Five-0 Investigates When A Bomb Squad Is Attacked And The Culprit Threatens To Detonate Additional Explosives Unless An Arsonist Is Released From Prison, On "Hawaii Five-0." Press release number 2: Five-0 is going to investigate when a bomb squad is attacked and the culprit will threaten to detonate additional hidden explosive devices unless arsonist ,Jason Sinclair, is released from prison. Also, after Adam returns from the hospital, Kono will realize that they are being watched, and McGarrett is going to prepare to...

Producer Marc Platt says that if all goes well, a film adaptation of the beloved musical "Wicked" will finally be hitting cinemas in 2016.

A report emerged not long ago that Vue Cinemas' CEO Tim Richards had cited the film as a highlight of the 2016 release calendar. Film Divider asked Platt about that report and he said:

"It's not set in stone. The process of developing that movie has begun, we're working on it, and whether it makes 2016 or not, I'm not so sure. 2016 is the goal, but I don't know whether we'll make that goal or not.

We will make the movie, but like I said, the bar is really high. We're going to scrutinize our work on the screenplay and our prep on the movie, and when we feel like it's ready, okay. We're not going to shoot a release date is what I'm saying.

It's in the works,...

StudioCanal UK CEO joins the summit line-up alongside Google content exec Lisa Rousseauand writer-director Jane Linfoot.

Danny Perkins, the chief executive of StudioCanal UK, is to deliver a keynote speech at the upcoming Screen Film Summit, which takes place at the BFI on Monday (Dec 1).

Perkins has overseen the release of more than 300 titles theatrically and 1,000 titles in home entertainment, including Pan’s Labyrinth, The Hurt Locker and upcoming releases The Imitation Game and Paddington.

The exec has long been a strong advocate for homegrown UK talent and during his tenure at StudioCanal, the company has supported independent British features such as Yann Demange’s ‘71, Joe Cornish’s Attack the Block and forthcoming Aardman production Shaun the Sheep.

His afternoon speech will be just ahead of a session that will debate ‘What’s next for UK film’, with panellists including Big Talk MD Matthew Justice, Lionsgate CEO Zygi Kamasa, BBC Films head Christine Langan, Independent film sales...

Former Scott Free London head Liza Marshall recently launched Archery Pictures with Kris Thykier.

Liza Marshall, joint MD of Archery Pictures, is to join a panel at the upcoming Screen Film Summit (Dec 1) to debate the Changing Face of Content Consumption.

Marshall, who recently stepped down as head of Scott Free London to launch Archery Pictures with Kris Thykier, will be joined on the panel by Picturehouse director of programming and acquisitions Claire Binns; and Dogwoof chairman Andy Whittaker.

Together, they will discuss how audience habits and platforms are changing and what new platforms are doing to better serve audiences. They will also explore the future of these platforms.

Another new addition to the line-up is William Sargent, CEO and co-founder of Framestore.

Sargent will join Independent MD Andrew Orr and Vue CEO Tim Richards on the UK Film Industry Wishlist panel to discuss challenges facing different sectors across the industry and changes they would like to...

Christian Gisy to step down after more than seven years at exhibitor.

Christian Gisy, managing director of Vue-owned CinemaxX Holdings, is to step down and leave the group on August 31.

CinemaxX operates 33 cinemas with 285 screens in Germany and Denmark.

Gisy, who joined the exhibitor in November 2006, said he felt it was “he right time for me to move onto something new”.

Vue International has already begun the search for a new MD. Christoph Ahmadi, the other MD and chief sales and marketing officer of CinemaxX, will assume overall responsibility for the company in the interim.

After joining in 2006, Gisy helped guide and transform CinemaxX through some difficult trading years up to 2010 and played a pivotal role in the discussions between CinemaxX and Vue when the business was acquired by the Vue Group in July 2012.

Gisy has since helped to integrate the German and Denmark businesses into the Vue Group.

He said: “I was brought into CinemaxX by [link...

Former American Golf and Habitat CEO Kevin Styles becomes UK and Ireland MD.

Cinema chain Vue Entertainment International has appointed former American Golf and Habitat CEO Kevin Styles to the newly created role of managing director UK and Ireland.

Styles will report to Vue CEO Tim Richards, deputy CEO and CFO Alan McNair and COO Steve Knibbs. He will take up his position from July 21, 2014.

According to Vue, the creation of the new position will pave the way for more company growth.

Commenting on the appointment, Tim Richards said: “We are absolutely delighted to have attracted such a talented and experienced leader to our growing team. Kevin’s experience and expertise in retail and marketing will help us to achieve our ambition to be the UK’s best and most highly respected cinema brand. This appointment also marks the next stage of our growth as a European-wide company with managing directors now in each of our three...

Vue Entertainment reports 50% increase in number of people attending event cinema screenings and expects this to double in 2014.

Exhibitor Vue Entertainment has reported record numbers of people attending its event cinema screenings with a 50% increase in 2013. The multiplex cinema chain stated that it expected the demand for opera, ballet, theatre, music and sporting event screenings to continue, with the number of admittances projected to double this year.

Vue CEO Tim Richards said demand for event cinema screenings had “increased significantly” in recent years and that it had “invested heavily” in its 83 cinemas around the UK to provide access to event cinema screenings.

The most successful event cinema screening to date was the one-off 50th Anniversary episode of Doctor Who, The Day of the Doctor in November 2013, which took $2.3m in a single night despite being simultaneously broadcast for free on BBC1. The episode took $10m worldwide from 650 cinemas (Nov 23-25) and claimed a Guinness world record as “the...

London -- U.K. movie theater giant Vue Entertainment, which was acquired by a group of Canadian investment firms for $1.5 billion in June, predicts a major uptick in the appetite for alternative content this year. The movie chain, run by Tim Richards, said "record numbers" of people attended its "event cinema" screenings, with a 50 percent increase in 2013. Photos: Vue Cinemas: State-of-the-Art Theaters for European Moviegoers The multiplex cinema chain operator expects the demand for opera, ballet, theatre, music and sporting event screenings to continue. The number of admissions for such fair is projected to

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Film London has appointed three new members to its board of directors including Film4.0 commissioning executive Anna Higgs and Paramount Pictures UK managing director Ian George.

The third appointment to the board, under chairman David Parfitt, is Angela Jain, director of digital channels and acquisitions at commercial broadcaster ITV.

With the expansion of Film London’s remit to include attracting high-end television to the capital, the additional television expertise is hoped to ensure “the sector can be successful reached and serviced”.

As Film London looks to develop its production, training and exhibition activity, as well as exploit new areas in the digital landscape, the agency said it will “hugely benefit” from the experience and expertise held by the new board members.

Outgoing board members are Tim Richards and John Akomfrah.

Adrian Wootton, CEO of Film London and the British Film Commission said: “London is at the genesis of an incredible expansion for film and television, with the new...

Before Midnight's stellar work for the Greek tourist board and Moby's mission to help indie film-makers

Get us to the Greeks

Director Richard Linklater was pretty smart about his filming locations for the low-budget Before Midnight . In fact, this latest production sets the bar high for product placement in indie movies, though the film's so light and charming you can forgive it any brazen advertising. But, make no mistake, you too can now stay in the Before Midnight suite at the luxury Costa Navarino resort, where the couple stay in the movie. Interestingly, Linklater was brave enough to use the location as the setting for a monumental argument between lovers Jesse and Celine, played by Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. But in general, the film is a great advertisement for the sunlit heaven of Messenia in the southern Peloponnese, an area of Greece the characters mention by name several times during the film.

The BFI has appointed Vue CEO Tim Richards and former Disney exec Alison Cornwell to its governing board.

Richards, the founder and CEO of Vue Entertainment, has more than 20 years of experience in international cinema exhibition. Earlier this month, it was announced that Vue had been acquired by two Canadian investment groups, with Richards retaining a substantial equity stake and continuing to manage the business.

Cornwell is a finance executive with film, television and broadcasting experience gained with major Us studios and with independent companies. After launching and managing 40 international TV channels for Disney, she left in 2005 to become CFO of Sparrowhawk, which was sold to NBC Universal at the end of 2007.

Since 2008, Cornwell has been CFO of distributor Alliance Films and led the exit process when ther owners decided to sell the business. She is currently working with new owners eOne.

BFI chair Greg Dyke said: “Alison and Tim will help the BFI realise its ambitions...

If you’re in London or close by and like you movies, this PR just dropped into my inbox and to be honest it sounds like alotta fun! If you’re not in London, then…well…anyway…read on! To mark the upcoming 3D release of Oz The Great And Powerful on 8th March, RealD, the world's most widely used 3D cinema technology, Vue Cinemas and Walt Disney Pictures have partnered to create a one-off, interactive experience, which will celebrate the magic of the film in 3D. Tim Richards, CEO of Vue Cinemas, said: “This half-term, we want our audiences’ trip to the cinema to be the ultimate viewing experience so, from 15th February – 4th March, we will be offering cinemagoers the chance to walk down the yellow brick road, exclusively at Vue Westfield London, and experience the sights and sounds of the Land of Oz. Cinemagoers can truly immerse...

UK cinema chain in talks with Hollywood studios to end dispute over period in which films are shown only on big screen

Vue Entertainment, one of the top three UK cinema chains, is in talks to allow Hollywood studios to shorten the release window for a limited number of films each year.

The industry has been in a standoff, with cinema owners threatening to boycott studios that try to eat into their box office takings by shortening the four-month period during which films are exclusively shown on the big screen before being released for home viewing.

In the Us cinema owners are also in dispute with the Hollywood studios over a plan for a premium video-on-demand service that would allow new releases into living rooms with weeks of their big-screen debuts.

But in the first sign of a détente, the chief executive of Vue Entertainment, Britain's third largest chain, said...

Doughty Hanson, the private equity firm, has bought Vue Entertainment from investor Cavendish Square Partners and the existing management team. Now the UK’s 3rd-largest cinema chain wants to take over rival Cineworld or even market leader Odeon/Uci. Such a takeover would be referred to the Competition Commission though, which expects to investigate whenever a single company controls more than 25% of the market. Vue commands 23% of the market, while Cineworld has a 24% market share. The new owner outbid Canadian pension fund Omers and rival equity investor BC Partners. Tim Richards, CEO of Vue, will make just under £25 million from the transaction – although he and his management team will be reinvesting 50% of their windfall back into the company. That still leaves Richards with £10 million. Not bad when you consider he founded Vue in the loft of a Greek restaurant in Chiswick only 13 years ago.

Our friends from Vue have been in touch this morning to let us know about a rather exciting competition where you could be able to tweet from the 54th Annual London Film Festival. The press launch for the event takes place this morning and we’ll be there, eagre to find out what movies are going to be playing at the festival.

You could be there courtesy of Vue who are hosting the Lff 2010 and you could be tweeting on their behalf through the three weeks that the event runs from 13th – 28th October.

To find out more, have a read of this and follow the insturctions to apply:

As official hosts of the London Film Festival, Vue searches for the ultimate film tweeter

To celebrate its official hosting of the 54th BFI London Film Festival, in partnership with American Express from 13th – 28th October, Vue Entertainment today launched a...

The UK cinema chain is strategizing now that Lloyds Banking Group wants to sell its 29% share of the company. Lloyds is selling off stakes in various companies it inherited when it bought rival UK bank Hbos. One option might be to sell Vue Entertainment entirely. Others include refinancing or acquisitions. The advisor will help Vue Entertainment CEO Tim Richards and Deputy CEO Alan McNair make up their minds over the next few months. Lloyds cannot sell its shares without their agreement. Richards and McNair own 51% of the business between them. “Shares in Vue can’t directly be sold without our [...]...

Britain's third largest chain reaches a deal with Disney and drops its boycott of Tim Burton's 3D retelling of the Alice in Wonderland stories

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland will be screened in all cinemas owned by Britain's third largest chain, Vue, after the firm said it had reached an agreement with Disney. The move increases the pressure on rival chain Odeon, which said earlier this week that it would be boycotting the 3D fantasy over studio plans to shorten the window between theatrical release and the movie's arrival on DVD to just 12 weeks.

In a statement, Vue's CEO, Tim Richards, said the firm had entered a "far-reaching agreement" with Disney.

"We are delighted that we have reached an agreement with our partners at Disney," he said. "This is a win-win for everyone in the entertainment business and in particular for our customers by offering greater film choice.

Vue Entertainment has entered into what it describes as an "an important and far-reaching agreement" with The Walt Disney Company UK over the DVD release of new movies. Cinema chains have been in conflict with the studio over the decision to make Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland available in shops just 12 weeks after its theatrical launch. Vue today confirmed that it will show the film at all of its 69 UK and Republic of Ireland cinemas from March 5, with Disney being given flexibility to hit retail dates for DVDs and Blu-rays on a limited number of films. The company's chief executive Tim Richards said: "We are (more)...

Vue cinemas have literally just put out a statement saying that, unlike Odeon, they will Not be following the biggest UK cinema chain and boycotting Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. The news just came through their official twitter account and we’ll be getting the full statement sent through shorty (now below).

The tweet said:

“We have reached an agreement with Disney and will be showing Alice in Wonderland at our cinemas.”

Yesterday, the Odeon cinema chain confirmed that they would be boycotting Disney’s new movie because of the length of time between theatrical release and that of DVD and Blu Ray just 12 weeks later instead of the normal 18 week run.

This is great news for us, the consumer as Vue is the UK’s third largest cinema chain after Odeon and Cineworld. Cineworld have also agreed a deal with Disney to show the movie so Odeon is...

London -- U.K. exhibitor Vue Entertainment is betting heavily on a bright future for digital exhibition, but surprisingly, Vue chief Tim Richards hasn't seen James Cameron's "Avatar" in full yet.

Richards has an excuse: He was in Montreal carrying the Olympic torch last week, even as Cameron visited London for the film's world premiere. That's because the Olympics also are a big part of Vue's plans.

The exhibitor is developing a 12-plex near a site set for the 2012 Olympics in the Stratford area of east London. Vue recently inked a pact with property developers to build a cinema similar to a theater under construction in west London's huge Westfield shopping center.

The U.K.'s third-largest chain is pumping an unspecified eight-figure sum into building a state-of-the-art multiplex at Westfield. At least four of its 14 digital screens will be equipped for 3D, and the venue also will sport...

Although watching Twilight New Moon for some may be worse than pulling teeth, it appears to appeal to many as the second instalment of Stephenie Meyer’s ‘Twilight’ series opened in the UK and Ireland at 12.01am Friday night and has broken the all-time midnight opening record for a film with a staggering £486,210 box office.

Tens of thousands of fans flocked to the cinema as it played at midnight in selected venues only. 134 screenings were sell outs and 88 of those were from the Vue circuit alone. The film which has also broken the record for advance sales in the UK and Ireland as reported by the three leading cinema chains – Vue, Odeon and Cineworld – was released on a massive 1100 screens.

Head of Film at E1 Entertainment Alex Hamilton commented, ‘We are very excited and encouraged by this fantastic result and can’t wait to see what the rest of the weekend brings.

London -- Director Danny Boyle has been tapped to receive the 2010 International Award at the British Raam Awards for cinema.

The award recognises an individual or individuals whose body of work in the film industry celebrates significant international achievements and contributions to the British cinema industry.

Trevor Green managing director of Entertainment Film commented on the international award to Danny Boyle: "Firstly I am pleased to say the judges were unanimous in this decision.

"It goes without saying that 'Slumdog Millionaire' was a very important boxoffice success for distribution as well as exhibition showing that with the right ingredients and the right direction, Independent pictures can do exceptional business.

"Danny Boyle's approach to film making is unique. From his first major feature film, 'Shallow Grave' 15 years ago, through 'Trainspotting,' 'A Life Less Ordinary,' '28 days later,' 'the Beach,' 'Millions,...