O’Leary Supports Film Tariffs
Michael O’Leary, CEO of Cinema United, which represents over 31,000 film screens across the United States, has expressed support for President Donald Trump’s recent plan to impose tariffs on imported foreign films. O’Leary is open to discussions with the White House and Congress to help the film industry strengthen its position in America.
“It’s vital to understand that theatre exhibitions aren’t the same as the Hollywood industry; they represent the main street industry,” he noted.
He mentioned that his organization is pleased by recent moves to enhance the American filmed entertainment sector, highlighting its significance to communities, particularly in Los Angeles.
“We’re heartened by these moves aimed at boosting the American film industry, like the idea of establishing great cinema that supports theatres in cities of all sizes across the nation. Remember, theatre exhibitions are main street ventures, not Hollywood-centric, and we fully support collaborative efforts in this area,” he shared in his statement.
He concluded by emphasizing a commitment to collaborating with the administration, Congress, and all parties interested in ensuring that local theatres maintain economic and cultural relevance, showing appreciation for their leadership.
This statement from O’Leary follows President Trump’s notion of introducing tariffs on foreign films as a way to support the US film sector, as Trump expressed concerns about the swift migration of film and television projects out of California.
Recent data indicates that the US movie chain has experienced significant losses since the COVID-19 lockdowns forced many theatres to close. For instance, AMC Theatre reported a loss of $163.5 million during the same quarter last year, which escalated to $202.1 million this year.
Hollywood itself appears to be struggling economically, as film and TV productions continue to depart California due to high taxes and challenging working conditions, along with Governor Gavin Newsom’s inability to halt this trend.
In other states, locations like Las Vegas, Chicago, Georgia, and New Mexico have seen a rise in entertainment productions, benefiting from the influx of filmmakers. Meanwhile, other countries such as Australia, Ireland, and Hungary are attracting filmmakers and TV producers as well, while the film industry’s presence in Los Angeles continues to shrink.
