NATO, Directors Guild Beg Congress for Bailout of Cinemas: ‘Theaters May Not Survive’

The National Association of Theater Owners has sent a letter to Congress urgently seeking federal financial aid for movie theaters, which have struggled since reopening in the last few months, often at limited capacity, and face widespread bankruptcy. The letter, sent to House and Senate leaders in both parties, was co-signed by the Directors Guild of America, the Motion Picture Association, and more than 70 directors, producers and writers. Among the filmmakers signing the letter were Judd Apatow, Sofia Coppola, Michael Bay, Seth Rogen, Patty Jenkins, and Greta Gerwig. “No doubt you are hearing from many, many businesses that need relief,” the letter read. “Movie theaters are in dire straits, and we urge you to redirect unallocated funds from the CARES Act to proposals that help businesses that have suffered the steepest revenue drops due to the pandemic, or to enact new proposals such as the RESTART Act (S. 3814/H.R. 7481). Absent a solution designed for their circumstances, theaters may not survive the impact of the pandemic.” Also Read: European Cinemas Boosted 'Tenet,' But Will a Second COVID Wave Close Them Again? Global closures of movie theaters in Q2 of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic have done immense damage...

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