Cinema United

Date Night @ the Movies is tomorrow! We are so excited about all the great promotions happening across the country. https://lnkd.in/e5H-Jesv

Member Spotlight: Shelby S.   Shelby Schultz, Director of Programming at LOOK Cinemas, has grown up with exhibition in her blood. Mentored by her father, Brian, she learned the industry from the ground up, doing everything from hand-tiling bathrooms to advising on film selection. Those early experiences gave her a deep appreciation for every aspect of the business and prepared her to officially join LOOK, where she now helps shape programming and ticketing across 111 screens and 11 locations.   At the heart of Shelby’s work is her love for the moviegoing experience and the audiences who make it special. “My favorite part of my job is going to a screening at our theater and getting to see the joyful audiences bonding over the experience,” she shares. She regularly visits LOOK locations to talk with team members and guests, listen to their feedback, and experience firsthand the energy of audiences who are connecting with stories on the big screen.   Shelby also brings a forward-thinking perspective to her role. She believes the future of exhibition is full of possibility, noting that more films are moving from streaming to theatrical release and that mid-budget productions are finding new life. These shifts, she says, create opportunities for programming that feel more personalized, giving audiences a wider range of choices and ensuring that every visit to the theater feels fresh and exciting.   Read more about Shelby: https://lnkd.in/gkvrmbyc

Congrats to Cinema United member Tori A. Baker, chosen as one of this year’s Most Influential Women by Utah Business magazine. As a leader in film exhibition, and as the vice chair of The Cinema Foundation, a founding member of Art House Convergence, and the CEO of the Salt Lake Film Society (SLFS), Baker is one of the leading advocates for advancing the moviegoing experience. At the helm of SLFS, she is actively involved in the innovative programming of the Broadway Centre Cinemas and in the restoration and revitalization of Salt Lake City’s beloved Tower Theater. Baker is also the founder of MAST, a non-profit media accelerator dedicated to developing up-and-coming filmmakers, and an Oscar-nominated producer (Jared & Jerusha Hess’ Ninety-Five Senses with Tim Blake Nelson). Kudos to Tori for this well-deserved honor! https://lnkd.in/egAWgsSD

Member Spotlight: Camilla and Christian Meoli Christian and Camilla Meoli, owners and operators of Cinelounge Cinemas, both came from careers in front of the camera before channeling their love of film into exhibition. Starting with nothing but a secondhand projector and a dream, Christian launched Cinelounge in Hollywood. Today, he and Camilla lead the business together, operating two locations and four screens, known for gourmet concessions, inventive programming, and unforgettable experiences. The Meolis have built a cinema brand that thrives on, “creativity, grit, and a little movie magic.” What matters most to them is, “seeing our community come together. There’s nothing better than watching a room full of strangers laugh, cry, or gasp in unison, and knowing we played a small part in creating those joyful, lasting memories.” Their big ideas and relentless work ethic have created countless magical moviegoing moments for guests. For Christian and Camilla, it’s all about creating shared experiences that make people fall in love with the movies over and over again. Because at Cinelounge, it’s not just about showing films. It’s about the joy, the community, and yes… the popcorn. Read more about Christian and Camilla: https://lnkd.in/gy9eVdhx

Member Spotlight: Beth Barrett Beth Barrett has been a driving force at SIFF for over 20 years, shaping Seattle’s cinema culture with a thoughtful balance of art and audience. She first joined the team as a programming coordinator in 2003, and as SIFF expanded from a beloved film festival into a year-round exhibition powerhouse, Beth grew alongside it. She is now the Artistic Director there, and has helped to lead SIFF's transformation into a six-screen operation, including the historic Seattle Cinerama. SIFF is unique in the way it blends arthouse and first-run films. Beginning in 1976 with the annual Seattle International Film Festival, then expanding into year-round programming, SIFF envisions a thriving arts ecosystem where film discovery encourages a more empathetic, joyful, and connected world. Beth has been instrumental in steering that vision. She thrives on building connections between filmmakers, films, and audiences: “We all want the same thing - to have an incredible experience in a cinema,” she says. “And that moment that connection is made is magic.” That ethos carries through from intimate Q&As to festival premieres and all the way to major theatrical runs. When Beth helped reintroduce the Seattle Cinerama to audiences in 2023, the response was immediate and emotional. “Hearing the roar of the crowd when we announced that SIFF would be re-opening the Cinerama was pretty special.” Moments like these remind her of the deep relationship between a cinema and its community. She encourages those entering the field to stay open-minded: “Always be open to a film you might not have sought out—challenging ourselves is part of understanding our audiences.” Read more about Beth here: https://lnkd.in/gVk9RJQG

Cinema United and The Cinema Foundation are introducing Date Night @ the Movies, a new national moviegoing event on Friday, August 22. The evening is a celebration of America’s favorite entertainment pastime featuring two-for-one treats – with discounts ranging from popcorn, drinks and other concessions to surprise movie theatre promotions – at thousands of participating locations across the country. https://lnkd.in/eg84Cgba

Member Spotlight: Clint Wisialowski Clint got his start in exhibition in 1988, running two campus theaters as a student at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. It was hands-on from day one. He was booking films, managing staff, and even learning how to operate reel-to-reel carbon arc projectors with manual changeovers. That early experience introduced him to the power of cinema in addition to introducing him to his wife, who he still goes on movie dates with, along with their two daughters. Now serving as EVP - Content, Sales, Guest Services, R&D at Marcus Theatres, Clint is an important leader in the industry. Despite the scale of his job, he hasn’t lost sight of what makes the work meaningful: “I have the privilege of collaborating with extraordinary people to entertain millions of equally remarkable guests,” he says. “What excites me most is how dynamic our industry is—evolving week to week with fresh content, bold ideas, and new opportunities.” Clint is passionate about mentoring and believes in giving others the same support that helped shape his own path. Part of his advice to anyone entering the business is, “Learn from people who’ve walked the path before you. And when you’ve earned your stripes, turn around and lift someone else up. This is a tight-knit industry built on shared experience." He remains optimistic about where exhibition is headed. From elevated guest experiences to broader entertainment offerings, Clint sees a bright future: “I’m bullish on the core truth: movies are simply better when experienced in a theatre—free of distractions, surrounded by others who came for the same reason—to laugh, gasp, and escape together.” Clint brings an unmatched positivity and generosity of spirit to everything he does. The industry is better for having his energy, encouragement, and unwavering belief in the power of cinema. Read more about Clint here: https://lnkd.in/g_wNaY_C

Member Spotlight: Donald Terry As Senior VP of Operations at Malco Theatres, Inc., Donald has come full circle since his very first day in the industry. He began 38 years ago as an usher in Jackson, Tennessee, where he helped prepare to open a cinema during its construction. “It was at that time I fell in love with that place and the movies. I looked forward to going to work everyday, just to experience the excitement and joy it brought me and everyone who went,” he recalls. Today, Donald oversees operations for more than 340 screens across six states, and one of his favorite responsibilities is still tied to what inspired him at the start. He now oversees construction and renovation at Malco, creating spaces that excite their guests. “I also really love innovation and new ideas in our theatres... I love seeing a new theatre being built, or an older one being renovated into something brand new,” he says. That commitment to improvement extends to the people he works with. Donald is proud of Malco’s strong manager retention and deeply values the team that keeps everything running. The industry has also given him countless personal memories, including meeting his wife through their shared work in cinemas, and of course, many movie nights together since. Looking ahead, Donald is excited about continuing to enhance cinemas with premium and immersive auditoriums while keeping them a great entertainment value for families. In his words, "It’s not just about watching movies; it’s about preserving the magic of cinema and ensuring it thrives for generations to come." Read more about Donald here: https://lnkd.in/gT-_dSQB

Member Spotlight: Julie Bravo For Julie, the movies have always been about more than entertainment - they’ve been a lifelong connection to family and community. Growing up in a family of exhibitors, she fell in love with the magic of cinema early on. “There was nothing more magical than losing myself in a dark auditorium for a few hours, laughing and crying with complete strangers. It’s a sense of community that cannot be replicated anywhere else,” she reflects. That sense of connection continues to guide her work as CEO at UltraStar Cinemas. She loves how her role brings her face-to-face with people who share that same passion for movies. “Every meeting I attend inevitably starts with someone asking me, ‘What good movies are out right now?’” she says. “Most meetings then end with someone commenting that I have the best job ever, and I agree!” Julie’s creativity has shaped her career as well. When she became a new mom, she saw an opportunity to better serve parents and created, "Parent Movie Morning," one of the first baby-friendly movie programs. Sitting in the audience with her son during "Love Actually," surrounded by other parents enjoying the experience guilt-free, remains one of her proudest moments. She believes the industry’s future lies in meeting the diverse needs of today’s moviegoers, whether they’re seeking premium amenities or simple, affordable nights out, while staying true to the core of the big screen experience. Read more about Julie here: https://lnkd.in/g7Mvvb2W

Congratulations to Shankweiler’s Drive-in Theatre's Lauren McChesney and Matthew McClanahan for being featured on GMA's 50 States in 50 Weeks series! https://lnkd.in/eQ54K8p4