- Exhibitors
- People
Cinema industry veteran Crispin Lilly has been appointed as new managing director of Showcase Cinemas UK.
Crispin will join Showcase at the end of April with a pledge to build on the industry-leading in-cinema experience Showcase is renowned for and to build on the already successful strategy to drive admissions into its screens post-pandemic.
Crispin, who started his film career as a cashier at his local cinema in Southampton, joins Showcase following three decades working for some of the biggest names in the industry.
His new role at Showcase follows hugely successful stints at Cineworld, Everyman and, more recently working on a consultancy basis with The Really Local Group, bringing accessible cinema to smaller catchment areas, alongside his charitable work as Trustee of MediCinema.
Crispin said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Showcase team and helping them continue to deliver amazing cinema experiences across the country.
“Cinema remains a powerful and affordable moment of escape and excitement that is more important than ever for our guests.
“I look forward to helping us bring the Showcase experience to an even larger audience.”
Crispin joins Showcase at a time when the green shoots of industry recovery are evident, with huge box office releases such as Avatar: The Way of Water and Top Gun: Maverick bringing cinemagoers back in droves.
And Crispin sees real opportunity for Showcase, in spite of the current economic outlook.
He added: “Cinema trips offer one of the most affordable means of escapism which is needed more than ever during times of hardship. It is no coincidence that during the last three recessions, cinema admissions have increased – it’s the equivalent of the lipstick effect in the entertainment world.