Cinema admissions drop in 2011, but theatres manage surplus

A survey carried out among the seven cinema establishments in Malta and Gozo revealed that these had 38 screens and a total seat capacity of 7,100 in 2011.

The majority of these screens, 92 per cent, were equipped with the traditional film projection format. On the other hand, 18 per cent could project digital films whereas 16 per cent had the capacity of showing films in 3D. Furthermore, 26 screens in six cinemas were accessible to persons with disabilities.

In 2011, cinemas registered 780,763 admissions, down by 10 per cent over 2010. Over 90 per cent of the tickets were purchased from box offices.

Total admissions for 3D movies accounted for 20 per cent of the total. The largest shares of admissions were registered in December and July, with 11 and 10 per cent of the total respectively.

In contrast to admissions, the number of films exhibited in 2011 went up by 9 per cent when compared to 2010, amounting to 394. Most of the films shown in Malta and Gozo (66 per cent) were produced in the United States, while only six were produced locally. The total number of screenings stood at 57,740, up by 11 per cent over the previous year - an average of almost 150 screenings per film. The average number of screening days per film amounted to 41.

The most popular movies shown in 2010 and 2011 were 'Avatar' and 'The Smurfs', with 46,793 and 33,043 admissions respectively. The latter was followed by the movie 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' with 29,443 admissions.

While in terms of numbers most movies shown in 2011 were drama films, comedy films attracted the biggest audience share, at 25 per cent. In spite of a drop of 49 per cent when compared to 2010, fantasy/science fiction (sci-fi) films registered the highest average number of admissions per film. Survey data show that films shot in Malta have performed relatively well in terms of admissions.

Last year, staff employed by cinemas amounted to 205, a slight decrease of 3 per cent over the previous year. Persons employed on a part-time basis comprised the absolute majority of paid workers. On a gender basis, males outnumbered females and accounted for 58 per cent of the total.

The total expenditure by cinemas in 2011 amounted to €5.4 million. Just over a third of the total expenditure was made on payments to film distributors, subcontracting costs and training fees, while staff costs contributed to another 20 per cent of total expenditure.

Income generated by these cinemas also declined by 6 per cent when compared to 2010 levels and stood at €6.1 million. At 70 per cent, gross box office income constituted the main source of revenue.

This was followed by income from sales of food and beverages, which stood at €1.6 million (26 per cent).

During 2011, cinemas registered a surplus of almost €0.7 million.