CineEurope Convention Cancelled for 2020 with Online Event Set for June

The CineEurope exhibition convention was initially delayed from June to August in Barcelona, but given the current COVID-19 uncertainty, the organizers have decided to cancel the event altogether for this year. In a public note, Film Expo Group said: ‘With concern for the health and safety of our attendees as our absolute priority, we regret to inform you that we have decided now to cancel the 2020 CineEurope Convention, planned for 3-6 August.’

This event is a key stop on the annual tours that Hollywood studios go on to present their upcoming slates to European cinema operators, usually attracting big name talent to Spain’s beautiful city. CineEurope was one of the last major holdouts of summer industry events. Its organizers took early steps to postpone the event at first before setting tentative August dates. Ultimately, it was pulled off the calendar completely.

©FILM EXPO GROUP/CINEEUROPE

While some markets worldwide begin to reopen film theatres, concern over the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has not dwindled, and Spain is barely in the early stage of a four-phase lockdown lift, which currently includes a two-week quarantine for foreign visitors. ‘Given ongoing uncertainty over the COVID-19 virus, we feel this is the prudent decision for the industry and everyone. Please stay safe and we look forward to seeing everyone soon’, added Film Expo Group in their note.

There is, however, good news attached to this cancellation, as a two-day online CineEurope conference and trade show will still take place on 17^th and 18^th June this year, with details soon to be revealed. In 2021, the convention is scheduled from 21^st until 24^th June.

CineEurope is the official convention of the International Union of Cinemas, representing 42,000 screens in 38 European countries. We do look forward to the online event, now, as we hope for the next year to bring fewer disruptions to the film and theatre industry altogether.