Getting Closer To 'Day and Date' Release

Calls For Shorter Theatrical Window. From Cannes to Singapore the call for shortening the theatrical release window is in full swing. 

Last week, at the Singapore International Film Festival, noted film producer/director David Puttnam called for a shortening of the theatrical release window, saying "a 30 day window would be ideal and we should, very rapidly, move towards this holdback period. After which films should be available on whatever medium people want."

No, This Will Not Happen - Cinemas Will Stay

The idea, which has been bandied about, whereby films would be available in cinemas for just three weeks, before making way for newer releases, but then not being available to audiences for the next 12-14 weeks when relaunched in other formats - is, for me, dead. This idea makes no sense for the exhib as they need films for more than three weeks' play to fill their marquee and because people want to see the films, that have now disappeared from viewing, for three months. Very poor idea.

Netflix to release self-produced films theatrically. The highly acclaimed, 'Roma' and two other films are going to be released by Netflix in cinemas before streaming. This is a major shift, and an appeasement to cinema exhibs  by Netflix and was hailed by the U.S. movie industry.

'Roma', 'The Ballad of Buster Scruggs', and 'Bird Box' are all award contenders and Netflix wants to take advantage of this.  The question is: For a film (to call itself such) must, at some point, be screened at a cinema? If yes, then the day-and-date release of a film via streaming and cinema is the ultimate answer and where the game will end.

This is a best case scenario for movie exhibs, although many do not see it this way. I say, best case, because the movement to a shorter and shorter release window is a reality. Additionally, and more importantly, many people want to view films (especially the high-impact and animated fare) on a large screen with big sound in a shared environment.


Just saying,
Jim Lavorato, Cinema Mucho Gusto