Cinema admissions increased by 3.8% year-on-year in the European Union's five biggest markets – France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain and Italy - between January and June 2009.
The growth, which comes despite the economic downturn sweeping Europe at that time, was driven by impressive figures from the UK, which recorded a massive rise of 14.5% (its best for seven years), as well as Spain (7.9%) and Germany (6.5%).
Among the most successful films of the year so far are Angels and Demons (USA), which hit top spot in Germany, Italy and Spain, Slumdog Millionaire (UK), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (USA) and Fast and Furious (USA).
Overall admissions were also boosted by strong half-year figures from smaller European countries like Sweden (+27%), Poland (+16%), the Netherlands (+12.3%), Denmark (+7%) and the Czech Republic (+6.8%).
France, however, recorded a 4.4% year-on-year decline, which the EAO puts down to the "exceptional" success of Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis (France) in the first half of 2008. It expects strong results in July and August to reverse the trend by the end of the year.
LUX Prize nominees announced
Meanwhile, the three films in contention for the European Parliament's 2009 LUX Prize for European cinema were revealed at the 66th Venice International Film Festival on Friday.
The nominees are Eastern Plays by Kamen Kalev (Bulgaria, Sweden), Sturm by Hans-Christian Schmid (Germany, Denmark, Netherlands) and Welcome by Philippe Lioret (France).
The winner will be announced by European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek on 25 November.
