Cinema’s Spring Awakening: Unveiling Hidden Gems and Upcoming Triumphs
Digital Cinema Media’s, Content Business Director - also known as Tom Linay - spoke at the UKCA’s National Conference on the 6th March. It was the presentation that set stage for a discourse that would navigate through the current landscape and future prospects for the UK cinema industry.
Amidst the backdrop of recent challenges, including the ripple effects of last year’s industrial actions across the pond, Tom’s insights offered a beacon of optimism. Here, we take a look at Tom’s analysis and strategic recommendations in the hope to equip exhibitors with the knowledge and tools necessary to captivate diverse audiences and ensure the vibrancy of cinema-going experiences.
WE’RE NOW IN MARCH
An unwavering commitment to strorytelling in all its forms
and for me the onset of Spring is marked each year by the annual UKCA conference. Some people think of daffodils and blossom, I think of Phil Clapp and tables of pain au chocolat. This year at the conference there was a specific focus on growing audiences, and while there’s been some hugely encouraging signs so far in 2024 - from awards season titles proving popular once again, Migration delighting the family audience, and Bob Marley: One Love surpassing everyone’s expectations - there’s still going to be bumps in the road ahead from the ongoing impact of last year’s industrial action in the US.
The biggest films of 2024 appear to be in cinemas from July onwards, with Q4 looking particularly strong, and while Q2 isn’t quite as packed, it does give exhibitors and distributors an opportunity to spotlight smaller titles
and as we’ve recently seen with Anyone But You, Poor Things, and Saltburn, cinemagoers are looking for exciting, original films.
As part of my presentation at this year’s conference I’m highlighting 8-10 smaller films that hit cinemas over the next few months that exhibitors may not yet be thinking about, and was joined by Lauren from Vista who used their data-driven insights to help exhibitors optimise marketing strategies for these releases.
IMMACULATE.
After Anyone But
You, Sydney Sweeney’s star is higher than ever and she can next be seen at the end of March in spooky horror, Immaculate, as a nun who moves to a new convent after which disturbing events start occurring.
MONKEY MAN looks like one of those thrilling action films that is set to
be a new franchise. Dev Patel, writes, directs and stars in this Mumbai-set thriller, and Jordan Peele persuaded Universal to pay Netflix $30m so it could have a cinema release. This one looks to be filled with good stories on and off screen.
SEIZE THEM! I think it’s no secret we need more commercial homegrown films in cinemas and Seize Them! is a British comedy in the vein of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, featuring a host of British talent, including Aimee Lou Wood, Nick Frost and Nicola Coughlan.
CIVIL WAR sees one of the UK’s best filmmakers Alex Garland, touch on simmering tensions in the US in a dystopian sci-fi. Zendaya is set for a big first half of the year and less than two months after Dune: Part II is Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers, a romantic drama set around the world of tennis.
LOVE LIES BLEEDING is British filmmaker Rose Glass’ follow-up to Saint Maud and stars Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian in a brutal crimethriller that has already received five stars from Robbie Collin.
HOARD is the debut film from Luna Carmoon and continues the recent incredible run of British female-directed debut features and follows the close bond between a mother and a daughter.
THE LAST WORD... I thought it was worth highlighting that after Apple’s recent success in cinemas with Napoleon and Killers Of The Flower Moon they have two more high profile releases hitting cinemas over the summer, firstly with the as yet Untitled Scarlett Johansson/Channing Tatum romantic comedy in mid-July, and then the George Clooney and Brad Pitt crime thriller, Wolfs in September and both titles coming via Sony.
So while there might not be huge Wonka-sized blockbusters over the next few months (unless something surprises us), that gives some smaller, original titles the chance to really find their audience.
Tom Linay, Digital Cinema Media