Kate McKinnon will receive the “CinemaCon Comedy Star of the Year Award,” it was announced today by CinemaCon Managing Director, Mitch Neuhauser. CinemaCon, the official convention of The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) will be held April 23-26, 2018 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. McKinnon will be presented with this special honor at the “CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards” ceremony taking place on the evening of Thursday, April 26, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, hosted by the Coca-Cola Company, the official presenting sponsor of CinemaCon.

“From her show stopping and Emmy Award winning performances on ‘Saturday Night Live’ to her commanding performances on the big screen, Kate McKinnon has entertained audiences around the world with her hilarious brand of comedy,” noted Neuhauser. “We could not be more thrilled to present her with this year’s ‘CinemaCon Comedy Star of the Year Award.’”

McKinnon can be seen later this summer starring alongside Mila Kunis in “The Spy Who Dumped Me,” to be released by Lionsgate on August 3, 2018. Audrey (Kunis) and Morgan (McKinnon), are two thirty-year-old best friends in Los Angeles, who are thrust unexpectedly into an international conspiracy when Audrey’s ex-boyfriend, who was actually a spy, shows up at their apartment with a team of deadly assassins on his trail. Surprising even themselves, the duo jump into action, going on the run throughout Europe from assassins and a suspicious-but-charming British agent, as they hatch a plan to save the world. The film is produced by Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer and Erica Huggins and marks the feature-film directorial debut of Susanna Fogel.

McKinnon has entertained millions of viewers with her critically acclaimed impressions of such notable public figures as Hillary Rodham Clinton, Jeff Sessions, Kellyanne Conway, Ellen DeGeneres and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on “Saturday Night Live,” earning her two Emmy Awards, a Critics’ Choice Award and an American Comedy Award. Her most recent films include the reboot of “Ghostbusters,” “Rough Night,” and “Office Christmas Party.” In addition, she has lent her voice to the animated features “Angry Birds,” “Finding Dory,” and “Ferdinand” along with several series including “The Simpsons,” “Family Guy,” “Nature Cat,” and “The Magic School Bus Rides Again.”

About CinemaCon
CinemaCon will attract upwards of 6,000 motion picture professionals from all facets of the industry –from exhibition and distribution, to the equipment and concession areas – all on hand to celebrate the movie-going experience and the cinema industry. From exclusive Hollywood product presentations highlighting a slate of upcoming films, to must-see premiere feature screenings, to the biggest stars, producers and directors, CinemaCon will help jumpstart the excitement and buzz that surrounds the summer season at the box office.

CinemaCon is delighted to have both the International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) and National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) as its tradeshow partners. CinemaCon is also delighted to have as its official presenting sponsor, The Coca-Cola Company, one of the industry’s greatest and highly regarded and respected partners in the world of the movies.

About NATO
The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 33,393 movie screens in all 50 states, and additional cinemas in 94 countries worldwide. NATO’s membership includes the largest cinema chains in the world and hundreds of independent theatre owners, too.

Additional information on CinemaCon can be found at www.cinemacon.com.