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SHOWCANADA AWARDS
QUALIFYING DATES:
The Showmanship awards will be considered for promotions submitted before March 9th, 2012 and focusing on films that opened between January 1st, 2011 and December 31st, 2011
BLOCKBUSTER FILM AWARD
This category describes promotions of big-budget productions with large promotion budgets and extensive studio support. Often these films are called “Project Pictures”, although they may not be designated as such. They will always have distributor-initiated Manager Contests and premium items for in-theatre promo use. They are generally released in one of the two peak seasons - Christmas or summer.
Also included in this category will be ‘blockbuster’ films with big production costs and huge awareness, but no Manager Contest or major premium/prizing incentives offered by the distributor. These movies, while judged within the BLOCKBUSTER category, will be looked at separately and consideration given to the extra initiative and creativity displayed by the Manager in his or her promotion.
Examples of these films are "Toy Story 3" and "Sherlock Holmes."
SHOWMANSHIP FILM AWARD
This award is given for a theatre-initiated promotion and usually for a smaller production or an independent film. "Karate Kid" is example of film with limited studio support (no prizing or contests, etc.)
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT AWARD
This prize is awarded for year-round and/or seasonal efforts by a specific theatre with respect to multiple events that interact with and build audiences for that location. It could include charitable events, efforts to grow the overall customer base and special theatre activities. Also, alternative programming events (i.e. Opera, WWE, NHL) i.e. increased ticket sales and attendance, media coverage, etc.
These efforts could include a movie or movies (film circuit, seasonal programming, French Canadian films on Sunday, etc.), but will always seek to increase attendance and build audiences for your theatre.
CONCESSIONS AWARD
This promotion can be for a film-related concession promotion or for a featured (new or special) concession item. Preliminary plans, photos, evidence of success and relevancy to any movie tie-in are required components that need to be documented.
BEST PROMOTION FOR A CANADIAN FILM - ENGLISH
Promoting an English Canadian film can be challenging but also very rewarding. Most distributors are very interested in theatre support; they will work with you and possibly provide additional materials. "Trailer Park Boys 2" and "Gunless" were examples of distributor supported English Canadian films.
BEST PROMOTION FOR A CANADIAN FILM - FRENCH
Quebec films are very strong in this province. Winners included films like "Lance et compte" and "Les pieds dans le vide", In-theatre promotions are considered a necessary part of a successful French Canadian film launch and you will find distributors generally very cooperative.
PRESENTATION FORMAT:
All promotions must be submitted in an attractive and compact format. Over-sized packages are eye-catching but rarely arrive in their original condition, and since the submissions ‘travel’ and are reviewed by several groups of people they must be both concise and durable.
First and foremost, each submission must be very clearly labelled with the name of the promoters, the name of the theatre, and the circuit and the category in which it is intended to be entered.
Please ensure that the label and/or submission form is securely fastened to the project (ideally on the inside front cover of the binder) so the identifier doesn’t get misplaced.
In addition, please attach securely and individually label any additional components (i.e. a videotape or CD) as these tend to get separated from the main body of work, and without label, they will not be part of the consideration. Also, please include a checklist of what the submission should contain (i.e. 1 binder, no duo-tangs), 1 CD, 2 audio cassettes, etc.)
COMPONENTS REQUIRED FOR A COMPLETE PROMOTION
Beside each element is the relative weight assigned to each.
LOBBY AND IN-THEATRE PROMOTION
Includes decorations (lobby displays and off-site poster placements), costumes, concessions, promotions, pre-release activities and opening weekend events at the theatre.
30%
RETAIL AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Includes local merchant bounce-back partnerships, national and local retail tie-ins, as well as participating in mall promotions. If there is a national partnership out of the US and it isn’t applicable in Canada, the theatre should discuss alternative Canadian partnership potentials with the distributor.
20%
Community interaction including charitable benefits, parade participation, local contests, etc
20%
MEDIA
Includes TV (national, cable and local), radio (commercial or university/college), newspapers (national, local daily, alternative, community), website and flyers. Must include verification of positioning and ‘book’ rate of media (total $ value versus prizing and/or $ supplied) (i.e. videotapes, ‘hit’ total, air-check tapes, tear-sheets and photos clarifying ‘where and when.
10%
INDEPENDENT INITIATIVE AND CREATIVITY
Includes evidence of original content, unique activities and creative submission presentation.
10%
Evidence of teamwork
10%
______
100%
ELIGIBLE ENTRANTS:
The promotional contests are open to all theatre level personnel including District Supervisors, Managers and Assistant Managers from all circuits and independent theatres across Canada.AWARDS:
The first place winners of the six Showmanship Award categories will receive a free trip to ShowCanada including airfare, hotel and convention registration plus $500 cash. They will also receive an exclusive ShowCanada Showmanship Trophy to honour this achievement.
The six second-prize winners will each receive a trophy plus $250. Third-prize winners in each category will receive an award plus $150. The six second-prize and third-prize winners also receive a complimentary trip to ShowCanada including airfare, hotel and convention registration.
The top ten runners-up will also be acknowledged with Honourable Mention certificates and $75 each.
The prize-winning promotions will be on display for the duration of ShowCanada at the Convention Centre and the prize winners will be publicized in several trade magazines during the convention time period.
For more information, please contact:
NURIA BRONFMAN
Motion Picture Theatre Associations of Canada (MPTAC)
1235 Bay Street, Suite 400
Toronto, ONÂ M5R 3K4
Tel.: (416) 969-7057
Fax: (416) 969-8916
E-mail: mptac@ca.inter.net
