U.S. Movie Theater Owners Urge Passage of Stimulus Legislation for Coronavirus Relief

By Ted Johnson

The National Association of Theatre Owners of California/Nevada has established a $1.25 million relief fund to assist employees of member theaters who have been laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Association of Theater Owners and the Pioneers Assistance Fund have created a $2.4 million emergency grant program for cinema employees impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. More than 150,000 workers have been furloughed or laid off since the vast majority of theaters across the U.S.

The National Association of Theatre Owners and the Pioneers Assistance Fund have created an initial $2.4 million fund to provide financial assistance to movie theater employees who need help due to the coronavirus pandemic.

By David Robb

Hoda Kotb was overcome with emotion Friday morning.

Ralph Lauren is doing something incredible.

Ralph Lauren is giving back those in need.  On Thursday, the famous designer announced that the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation will be donating $10 million towards coronavirus relief efforts. "Now more than ever, supporting each other in this time of need has become our mission," an official statement from the Ralph Lauren brand stated.

The $2 trillion stimulus may have saved the movie theater business from financial ruin. After being forced to close because of the coronavirus pandemic, cinemas across the country were struggling to find a way to keep paying their rent and other bills without being able to sell any tickets. It was a scenario that could have led to widespread bankruptcies.

The National Association of Theatre Owners commended the U.S. Senate’s bipartisan agreement to provide economic relief to the exhibition business and other industries that have had to close their doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mark O’Meara has endured blizzards, hurricanes and economic recessions. Even in three feet of snow, he’s managed to keep the lights on at University Mall and Cinema Arts, the two movie theaters he owns in Fairfax, Va. But for the first time in 29 years, he had to close his doors as the coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep through the country — and his own backyard.

Elton John is bringing music’s biggest stars together to raise money for coronavirus relief efforts.

China is using the help of some famous franchises to boost its movie theaters after the coronavirus pandemic has become essentially contained in the country.

A Go Fund Me campaign to raise money for New York City movie theater workers who have been laid off or furloughed due to the coronavirus pandemic has reached its goal. The Cinema Workers Solidarity Fund has racked up $74,587 in donations, surpassing the $74,000 it set out to raise. The initiative was launched a week and a half ago by Light Industry, Screen Slate, and other community partners.

The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), the body that represents European movie theater owners, is calling on governments across the continent to do everything in their power to ensure that cinemas are able to overcome the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

By Anthony D'Alessandro

On March 20, amid unprecedented circumstances resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, new Hollywood movies were suddenly available to buy or purchase on premium VOD. Historically, a major studio title isn’t widely available in the home entertainment space for around three months.

It could be lights out for the movie theater business if Congress doesn’t pass the trillion-dollar coronavirus rescue bill. That’s the stark message from John Fithian, president and CEO of the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO).

A coalition of more than a dozen entertainment unions are joining efforts to press Congress to ask for an emergency relief bill that includes direct cash payments of more than $1,000 a month for workers, as well as the extension of unemployment benefits and a provision for paid sick leave, among other priorities.

As you can imagine, the global Coronavirus pandemic is now even impacting movies that have yet to begin filming. It cares not for cinephiles and their desire to see new work from Baz Luhrmann.