| ABOUT ITALIA FILM |
Italia Film was established in 1954 for the distribution of Italian films,
which at that time were very popular. Our activities were extended to the
distribution of French and U.S. films.
In 1970, I.F. was appointed the distributor of National General Pictures and
obtained a huge success with: "Getaway, El Condor, Babymaker, The Grasshopper",
etc.
In 1972, I.F. was appointed the distributor of A.I.P. and when National General
Pictures was bought by Warner Bros., arrangements were made for the
distribution of the films of P.S.O., Lorimar and Orion.
For several years, the Box Office champions in Lebanon were films distributed
by our company with Blockbuster movies such as:
"Escape to Victory, The Postman Always Rings Twice, Endless Love, Class,
Breathless, Terminator, Never Say Never Again, First Blood, Rambo, The Mission,
9 ½ Weeks, Woman in Red", etc.
In 1993 we were appointed distributors for Buena Vista International for the
whole Middle East, as the films of Buena Vista International up to that date
were distributed by Warner Bros.
Our first task was to create awareness and public interest in Disney's Animated
Films as up to that date they were not released theatrically with the exception
of 1 or 2 films which were solely released for the children audiences in
limited shows during weekends and this is only in Lebanon, while they were
never released in the other territories.
We started with Egypt and participated in the 1st Cairo International Film
Festival for Children and opened the Festival in a very glamorous way with "The
Beauty and The Beast", the event was covered by the press and TV
stations of all the Middle East. The success of this event was so huge that
animated films caught up the public's attention, and this was translated with
the huge success obtained with "Aladdin", The Lion King"
and "Mulan" which registered a record, over 66.000
Admissions in 1st Run Beirut and then the success continued with "Hunchback
of Notre Dame", "Tarzan" (65,800 admissions) etc.
I.F. marketing team was the first to initiate tie-in promotions with various
industries as well as excelled in Gala and Charity Premieres, which
tremendously contributed to the success of any film launching.
In addition to all of the above,Italia Film owns the
Circuit Planète Theaters with 31 screens all over Lebanon. The Circuit
Planète market share in 2004 reached 40 % of the whole market.
|
| |