BEST PROGRAMMING:
ANTEO SPAZIOCINEMA, MILANO (ITALY)
EXHIBITOR: LIONELLO CERRI, ANTEO

This prize goes to an exhibitor for programming and results in terms of European films. It takes into account the number of screenings devoted to European productions, as well as attendance at the theatre.

Lionello Cerri says he is very happy to receive this award, the first ever for his cinemas. A cultural landmark in Milan, the venerable Anteo has three cinemas with a total seating capacity of 700, as well as a restaurant, a bookshop and an exhibition area. Admissions figures for 2002 reached 300,000, including 88% for European films. Lionello Cerri has been running the Anteo for almost 25 years and has become one of Italy’s foremost producers.

He believes that “It’s important to create a true European film culture.” Which is why he was one of the first to join the Europa Cinemas network in 1992. The undeniable success
of his cinemas, which are a reference in Italy, has led him  to make plans to expand in Milan. His policy of showing subtitled versions of films has won him a large following
of faithful filmgoers who appreciate the diversity of European cinema.

(November 2003)