James Cameron Salutes John Fithian As Outgoing NATO Chief Take Final Bow – CinemaCon

deadline.com:

A video salute from James Cameron to John Fithian launched CinemaCon Tuesday, with the director offering a big “thanks on behalf of the worldwide creative community for your passionate dedication to championing the cause of the theatrical experience.” The outgoing chief of the National Association of Theater Owners is leaving with the overall business in a better place after a few really traumatic years, with the box office rebounding and growing awareness across entertainment that theatrical drives audiences for a film in any window.

That’s been Fithian’s tireless message, and he lobbed a few stats – “Nine out of ten people are aware when a movie was released theatrically and 50% are more like to watch theatrically released titles when considering their options on streaming platforms,” Fithian said at his final address.

The industry’s biggest annual event runs through Thursday. Micheal O’Leary assumes the top NATO role May 1. Fithian touted a commitment to theatrical by Apple and Amazon, Apple’s Napoleon by Ridley Scott.

Apple’s Napoleon and Killers of the Flower Moon this fall, and Amazon’s recently released Air. “Though Air was sold as a streaming movie, Ben Affleck and the entire filmmaking team really delivered a crowd-pleaser with universal themes, transcending a typical sports, deal, or business movie.