UK independents and festivals gloomy about post-lockdown prospects
Many venues don’t expect to reopen before 2021.
22 May 2020
In a survey published today by the Independent Cinema Office, an advocacy group for independent exhibitors and film festivals, respondents were pessimistic about their prospects after the proposed re-opening of cinemas in July. While the survey was limited to respondents in the United Kingdom, conditions and attitudes elsewhere might be similar. Jewish film festivals that do not operate their own venues may depend on their availability to deliver their theatrical festivals.
While cinemas might be allowed to reopen in July, many of the 479 respondents felt that they would be reluctant to do so due to concerns about safety of employees and customers. Most venues thoughts they could not reopen until September at the earliest and a many don’t expect to re-open until 2021.
41% of venues thought that they will be unable to open with social distancing measures in place.
The majority of respondents thought that their anticipated safety measure requirements would increase their costs in the region of 20% and expect a 50% loss in seating capacity, number of screenings and concession sales. Most thought they could only survive for a maximum of three months with these measures in place.