09/09/2013 - 5.8 % less spectators for this year’s first eight months compared to 2012 and a market share decreasing by 32.3 % for national films

Many countries can continue to envy the general good health of the admission numbers in French cinemas, including in terms of the market share of national films. The total of admissions for the first eight months of 2013 indeed adds up to 125.24 million spectators of which 32.3 % went to see French films.

However, France does not escape a European climate in which the number of admissions is decreasing. During this year’s first eight months, French theatres welcomed 5.8 % less spectators than during the same period in 2012. The market share of French films is estimated at 32.3 % since early 2013 (57.7 % for American productions and 10 % for other nationality features) versus 38.9 % for the January-August 2012 period.

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The month of August has nevertheless sent encouraging signs with 15.33 million admissions (+8.9 % compared to August 2012) after a “disastrous” July (-19,3 %) (a setback probably linked to a very minimalist programme of new releases). The general trend for 2013 is however still difficult to map out despite a majority of negative months (January -10.6 %, February -21 %, April -19.7 %, June -5%) versus positive months (March +15.5 %, May +7.8 %). The only certainty is the clear lack of popular French titles in the box-office and autumn will be particularly crucial in determining the annual figures with the release of many highly anticipated films (including Palme d’Or winner in Cannes Blue is the Warmest Colour), hoping that they won’t eat each other alive.

(Translated from French)