USA: WILL SMITH, NICOLE KIDMAN AND STEVEN SPIELBERG ATTEND SHOWEST CONVENTION AND PEOPLE ATTEND THE SHOWEST FILM INDUSTRY TRADE FAIR

Record ID: 392558

  • Title: USA: WILL SMITH, NICOLE KIDMAN AND STEVEN SPIELBERG ATTEND SHOWEST CONVENTION AND PEOPLE ATTEND THE SHOWEST FILM INDUSTRY TRADE FAIR
  • Date: 7th March 2002
  • Summary: WIDE SHOT OF MAIN BALLROOM DURING SONY PICTURES LUNCHEON (2.06) SCU (SOUNDBITE) (English) SONY PICTURES PRESIDENT OF MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION JEFF BLAKE SAYING: "There's no question. I think not only do the executives come, your theater managers from all around the country, really all around the world come, and it's our chance to show them what we've got coming and get
  • Embargoed: 22nd March 2002 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: USA, United States, USA, United States
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Business,General
  • Reuters ID: LVADKJO0VAL90CCP5B25SE4TP1VL
  • Story Text: Celebrities including Will Smith, Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg were just a few of the high profile stars turning out on Thursday, March 7 in Las Vegas for the annual Showest Convention. Held each year by the National Association of Theater Owners, the gathering is meant to give Hollywood studios a platform to highlight their upcoming summer releases and celebrate the past year in mainstream moviemaking.
    Unlike in years past when major theater chains were suffering from over-expansion and many were filing for bankruptcy, this year's convention is celebrating a turn-around in the industry, coming off a record year for box office ticket sales. The president of the National Association of Theater Owners John Thermian says there's an excitement level at the convention that he hasn't seen in many years.
    Although the big draw for the thousands of theater owners and exhibitors each year are the sneak peeks at highly-anticipated summer releases and the star-studded closing night awards banquet, there's also a lot of business taking place. The convention's trade show floor is stocked with hundreds of vendors and exhibitors, hawking everything from popcorn and other concessions, to new digital projection equipment and state-of-the-art theater seats.
    The event is also very important for all of the big Hollywood studios. Each year, they throw a series of extravagant and expensive events in order to drum up excitement for their upcoming releases. This year, the biggest party was thrown by Sony Pictures, whose summer slate includes "Spiderman," "Men in Black II" and "Stuart Little 2."
    Jeff Blake, president of the studio's marketing and distribution divisions, says he thinks theater owners and executives from all over the world are particularly excited by Sony's upcoming release slate.
    The four-day convention culminates in a gala dinner and awards banquet, where the theater owners honour the stars and filmmakers who brought them good fortune in the past year.
    This year's honourees included Jennifer Lopez as Female Star of the Year, Will Smith as Male Star of the Year, Ron Howard as Director of the Year, Nicole Kidman for her Distinguished Decade of Achievement in Film, Chris Tucker as Comedy Star of the Year, Josh Hartnett as Male Star of Tomorrow, and Steven Spielberg with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
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