07/01/2010

Over 99 million admissions were registered from January 1-December 31,2009 (-0.3% less than 2008), for a gross of €623m (+4.95% over last year), according to preliminary data of 2009 from Cinetel, which monitors approximately 85% of national cinemas.

The steady audience figures and increase in admissions, despite the economic crisis, are being attributed to 3D films shown throughout the year, and in particular in December. These films, however, only widened the gap between multiplexes, which programme blockbusters, and urban single-screen cinemas, which predominantly offer arthouse films.

(Translated from Italian)