CINEMACON HONOREES
Every year, the NATO trade show recognizes individuals and companies that have influenced the exhibition industry. This year’s class ranges from executives to talent whose work takes place both on- and off-screen.
Bert Nathan Memorial Award BRIAN BIEHN Funacho/pretzel Haus Bakery
Nothing pairs better with a trip to the movies than indulging in popcorn, soft drinks, pretzels and countless other concession-stand treats. Since joining food giant Conagra in 1994, Biehn, managing partner of Pretzel Haus, has been devoted to making sure moviegoers have the tastiest snacks. “The food adds to that mystique of going to the movies,” Biehn says. He adds that with the great food, “even if the movie is not great, it’s still a positive experience.”
Biehn recognizes that theaters have evolved in recent years and one of the biggest changes is the addition of alcohol to concession stand menus. Biehn says the growing presence of alcohol in theaters has “spread like wildfire.” He explains that concession industry members are always looking for new ways to expand the value of the moviegoing experience and alcohol helps with that.
Biehn has had multiple impacts on the types of food moviegoers snack on. He was a member of the team that introduced Orville Redenbacher branded popcorn into theaters over 15 years ago. Now at Pretzel Haus, Biehn helps provide the golden soft pretzels attendees love.
— Ariana Brockington
Career Achievement in Exhibition Award ROBERT CARRADY President, Caribbean Cinemas
The president of Caribbean Cinemas started in the family business of exhibition at a young age, manning the ticket counter during his summer vacations before joining the company in 1977. Founded by Carrady’s father in 1969, Caribbean Cinemas is the largest theater circuit in the Caribbean, with 492 screens and 59 locations in 13 territories across Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Antigua, Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago and Guadeloupe. When Carrady came on board, though, the company had only six screens in Puerto Rico and one theater in the Dominican Republic, leading to years of expansion and growth for Caribbean Cinemas.
At this year’s Cinemacon, he is being honored with the Career Achievement in Exhibition Award, which celebrates Carrady’s innovations and success achieved from the family business. In recent years, the chain has added its premium Caribbean Cinemas Extreme auditoriums to 14 of its locations, along with an Imax theater that boasts the second-largest Imax screen in Latin America. In 1985, Carrady created the company’s first Fine Arts theaters in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which today has expanded to three locations and 17 screens dedicated to independent and art films. — Kirsten Chuba
Pioneer of the Year TOM CRUISE
“Mission: Impossible” star Cruise is known for saving the world onscreen, but now he is being recognized for his magnanimous efforts off-screen as the first actor to receive the Cinemacon Pioneer of the Year Award for his ongoing commitment to philanthropy.
Throughout his career, Cruise has dedicated his time and funds to several humanitarian efforts, co-founding the Hollywood Education and Literacy Project and lending support to such entities as the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Mentor L.A., Raising Malawi and UNICEF.
Colleagues who have acted alongside Cruise have publicly recognized and praised him for his compassion, as well. While filming “Tropic Thunder,” Bill Hader reportedly said Cruise streamlined an entire production day and booked Hader on an early flight home to his family during a crisis.
For more than 30 years, Cruise has starred in smashes, including “Top Gun,” “War of the Worlds” and the “Jack Reacher” franchise. His resume also includes the now-iconic “Risky Business” and “Jerry Maguire,” as well as three Oscar nominations: two for lead actor (“Jerry Maguire,” Born of the Fourth of July”) and supporting actor (“Magnolia”). He produced the “Mission: Impossible” series, with the latest installment premiering in July.
— Christi Carras
Excellence in Event Cinema Award WALT DISNEY STUDIOS
Walt Disney Studios is known for making spectacles of its projects, whether through musicals on stage and on ice, elaborate fireworks shows, or theme park rides. At this year’s Cinemacon, Disney will be recognized for its spectacular achievements bringing pre-recorded or live shows, such as the musical “Newsies” and its popular kids TV programming on Disney Junior, to the big screen.
David Sieden, Disney’s vice president of cinema partnerships, stresses the importance of event cinema when it comes to ensuring everyone has the opportunity to see the company’s live projects on a grand scale.
“A filmed event like ‘Newsies’ on Broadway can give more people a chance to experience the stage show, and even for those who saw it onstage, it gave them an opportunity to see it again in a new way,” Sieden says.
Disney has also had success attaching events to its regular cinematic releases, such as live Q&AS with the casts of tentpoles including Marvel’s “Black Panther” and Pixar’s “Inside Out.” Hosting such interactive opportunities for fans heightens buzz and box office f
“Consumers have more entertainment choices than ever before, but there’s still nothing that can replicate the theatrical experience,” Sieden says. “Event cinema is about offering the next level of engagement with a oneof-a-kind experience that stands out from the pack.”
— Christi Carras