Celebrating Women in Film: PVR Inox’s Special Film Festival
In honor of International Women’s Day last week, PVR Inox hosted a standout film festival featuring special re-releases of women-centric cinema. The multiplex giant brought back iconic films such as Highway (2014), Queen (2014), and Fashion (2008), alongside screenings of Lootera (2013), Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (2013), and Kumbalangi Nights (2019).
The Shift Towards Re-Releases
Re-releasing beloved classics has become a well-established strategy for PVR, especially as theaters work to attract audiences post-pandemic. Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, the company’s executive director, previously stated that, “Re-releases emerged out of necessity but have since transformed into a fundamental aspect of our operations. We have a dedicated team based in Mumbai focusing on films ripe for re-release.”
Signs of a Box Office Recovery
Recent data indicates a revival in box office performance. A report from PwC, a leading accounting firm, revealed a robust 30.4% year-on-year increase in cinema spending in 2023, bolstered by various blockbuster releases. The report projected that global cinema revenues would exceed pre-pandemic levels by 2026, with both box office sales and live music tickets contributing to a significant share—38.6%—of the increase in global consumer spending on entertainment and media in 2023. Notable releases such as Barbie, Oppenheimer, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse played vital roles in this uptick.
The Power of European Cinemas
France, the birthplace of cinema, is reportedly leading the resurgence in movie attendance. According to a March article from The New York Times, ticket sales in 2023 saw a 19% increase, totaling 181 million tickets and grossing over $1.4 billion at the box office. This success can be attributed partially to France’s ‘media chronology’ law, which mandates a waiting period for streaming platforms before they can access films released in theaters. While this period was initially three years, Netflix successfully negotiated a reduction to 15-17 months, and just last month, Disney+ secured a nine-month pact. This regulatory framework effectively drives audiences to theaters, a contrast to the faster availability typical in other markets.
UK Cinema Attendance on the Rise
Not to be outdone, the UK also experienced a resurgence, recording a 2% increase in box office admissions in 2024, totaling 126.5 million tickets and generating over $1.06 billion in revenue. While these numbers still fall short of the pre-pandemic highs, they represent a significant improvement. The film Wicked, which received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, was the leading box office draw, accounting for 6% of total collections in the UK.
Turkey’s Commitment to Cinema
Turkey is making notable strides as well, with a report from Turkiye Today highlighting 381 million lira allocated for the film industry in 2024. The Turkish government has initiated programs such as ‘Mobile Cinema for Children’ and ‘No Child Left Without Cinema’ to encourage family audiences to visit theaters. Sean Baker, the best director at this year’s Oscars for Anora, emphasized the dire need to preserve cinema in his acceptance speech, noting the ongoing decline of American movie screens. Fortunately, a thriving audience dedicated to supporting the art form continues to keep cinema alive.
