Cinema and the Energy Crisis: How Theaters Are Preparing to Cope

What if movie theaters were forced to reduce screenings to cope with the coming energy crisis?

According to the article the world, the French National Federation of Cinemas (FNCF) urges its members, in particular, to “regulate opening hours according to the flow of the public.” This can be seen in its “Charter for all cinemas to immediately reduce energy consumption”, published on 21 September.

“From 2010 to 2019, the number of testimonials increased from 6 to 8.6 million. With cinema attendance currently down by 30%, certain screenings, especially at 11am and 1pm, are very few. viewers”Condemns Marc-Olivier Sebag, General Delegate of the FNCF. “You have to find the right balance with the costs”he suggests.

“All cultural sectors should ask themselves this question of working hours, hoping that their reduction will be temporary”Olivier Sebag explains.

Simple gestures

Thus, the FNCF charter recommends Turn off cinema signs when they are not open, and hall and circulation lights when the public is not present, use dynamic displays in an argumentative manner, respect government targets, maximum heating of 19 degrees, be programmed. Heating according to hours and occupancy of rooms, turning off the air conditioner if it is below 26 degrees outside, turning off projectors in rooms that do not have an audience, and better regulating air renewal. .”

“The time for mobilization and rationalization has come. It is both a civic obligation to contribute to the national energy vigilance effort and an economic necessity in a period of declining attendance. The third reason is to do everything we can to avoid power outages and end cinemas being closed in the evening.”– says Mr. Sebag.

Energy charges for rooms represent 5 to 10% of turnover. “Costs increase after energy contracts expire. Currently 20% of theaters have to renew their contracts and end up with bills tripled, fivefold or even tenfold”explains the general delegate of FNCF.

This possible decision to reduce the sessions is likely to shake up the movie world, at a time when big winter blockbusters like Avatar 2 arrive on December 14.

Cinemas must adapt

Olivier Sebag, interviewed by us, confirmed that this gesture of the cinemas in entering the perspective of energy vigilance was a civic obligation. “The question is to tell the audience: you are going through a difficult time in terms of energy, and we offer a show, fun, culture, recreation, but we are also ready to help ensure that the winter goes well.he notes.

“We cannot say: we are cinema people, we are not interested in this. We are involved with society, with each viewer and with all circles of society. That is why we want viewers to follow this approach.”he continues.

In addition, movie theaters use a lot of electricity to show movies. Energy costs will inevitably rise, as will everyone else. This will also reduce them. It’s about simple gestures like not leaving lights on where they’re not needed or not overheating rooms, as everyone can do at home. So we follow the community movement and keep the spirit of welcome and the warm, friendly side of the cinema.”explains the general delegate of FNCF.

To reduce sessions?

After that, Olivier Sebag ensures that each cinema can adapt the energy charter to its convenience, especially according to its size. He also spoke in more detail about the reduction of the number of sessions mentioned in the statute.

“We are not recommending cuts, but we are asking for cinema programming to be adapted based on overall activity.” That is, since 2010, we have increased the number of sessions immensely, from 6 million to 8 million. sessions.

However, when running a projector is expensive due to rising electricity prices, that raises questions, such as in an average provincial town at 11am. If there’s no one on that day, at that movie, that session won’t be right.”he explains.

Thus, Olivier Sebag encourages operators to think about organizing their programming and cinemas according to the films released and the period (weekdays, weekends, school holidays, etc.).

“Adapting sessions does not necessarily mean reducing them. There may be less sessions on one day, and on the other, on the contrary, it will be necessary to increase them. The idea is to adjust the activity as much as possible to be in a reasonable state of consumption. and sensible energy.”

Interview by Bridget Baronet in Deauville, 22 September 2022.