The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), the international trade association representing cinema operators and their national associations across 39 European territories, today announced the composition of its new Board of Directors following its Annual General Meeting held on 23 June 2026.
The Board—comprising the President, Senior Vice-President, Vice-Presidents and Treasurer—has been elected for a two-year term ending in June 2028.
The newly appointed Board is composed of:
President: Jaime Tarrazón – Federación de Cines de España (Spain)
Senior Vice-President: Richard Patry – Fédération Nationale des Cinémas Français (France)
Treasurer: Christine Berg – HDF Kino e.V. (Germany)
Vice-President
Phil Clapp – UK Cinema Association (United Kingdom)
Vice-President: Edna Epelbaum – Association Cinématographique Suisse / Schweizerischer Kinoverband (Switzerland)
Vice-President: Tomasz Jagiełło – Polish Cinema Association (Poland)
Vice-President: Simone Gialdini – Associazione Nazionale Esercenti Cinema (Italy)
Vice-President: Thierry Laermans – Federation of Belgian Exhibitors (Belgium)
Observer: Espen Pedersen – Film & Kino (Norway)
Jaime Tarrazón, the new President of UNIC, said:
“I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me with this appointment as President. I take on this responsibility with humility and a firm commitment to live up to the expectations, especially in these complex and rapidly evolving times. Together, we have the opportunity to strengthen our unity, enhance our recognition, and reinforce our position as an industry within a new audiovisual ecosystem shaped by significant challenges and transformative opportunities. I am confident that, with the outstanding team we have in Brussels and under the inspiring leadership of our CEO, Laura Houlgatte, we will continue to move forward with ambition, cohesion, and purpose.”
Commenting on the election of the new President and Board, Laura Houlgatte, CEO of UNIC, said:
“I am delighted to welcome the newly elected President and the Board and look forward to working closely with its members over the coming two years. The Board brings together a wealth of expertise from across the European cinema landscape and reflects the diversity and strength of our membership”.
The new President and Board will lead UNIC’s work in representing cinema operators and national cinema associations across Europe, promoting the cultural, social and economic value of the cinema experience and supporting the long-term sustainability of the sector.
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