The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) and the Film Expo Group will present the CineEurope Gold Award to eight individuals for their outstanding dedication and service to the cinema industry. The awards will be presented on Wednesday, June 24, at the Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona
“This year’s Gold Award recipients once again reflect the depth of talent across our sector, with a consistent commitment to quality and professionalism,” said Phil Clapp, UNIC president. “Congratulations to all of this year’s awardees.”
“CineEurope is about bringing our industry together, and the Gold Awards are a special part of that tradition,” added Andrew Sunshine, president of The Film Expo Group. “We’re delighted to recognize this year’s recipients and celebrate their achievements with the wider cinema community in Barcelona.”
Below, some of the Gold Award winners share their thoughts on the industry’s past, present, and future.
[Olivier: please include the list below in a sidebar]
Gold Awards Recipients 2026
Tomaso Quilleri
Exhibitor, Regno del Cinema, Italy
Marianne Hoff
Cinema Manager, Friberg Kino, Norway
Nick Davey
Head of Technical, Everyman Cinema, United Kingdom
Natalie Mulinowa
Director of Retail CEE&IL, Regal Cineworld, Czech Republic
Andres Jasper
Baltic Technical Coordinator, Apollo Cinemas Baltics, Estonia
Martin McCubbin
Group Procurement Director, Odeon Cinemas Group, United Kingdom
Anne-Marie Otter
Film Consultant, Bygdekinoen, Norway
Tony Dilley
SVP Sales, Harkness Screens, United Kingdom
What was your first job in the industry, and when did you think you might like to pursue exhibition as a career?
Tomaso Quilleri, Regno del Cinema: Ours is a family business. I represent the fourth generation of a family of exhibitors that has literally lived through the history of cinema: from silent films to the multiplexes and boutique cinemas of today.
Marianne Hoff, Friberg Kino: Friberg Kino is a nonprofit, volunteer-operated cinema. Shortly after I moved to Balestrand [to continue my career in social work], I became a volunteer at Friberg Kino, where I have participated in all kinds of [operational activities] for more than 40 years. By 1985, I had formed a team with two good colleagues and was ready to take on more responsibility, which worked well in combination with my professional career. The three of us are still running the cinema with the help of volunteers of all ages. My main tasks have been programming, financing, social media, and participating in local and national cinema organizations. I have never thought of this volunteer work as a career. But maybe it has turned into a career after all.
Nick Davey, Everyman Cinema: I’ve always loved cinema—not just the films, but the venues themselves. While the plots of the films I grew up watching may have faded, I can still clearly recall the distinct seating layouts and screens I went to 40 years ago. The affection I hold for those spaces is often greater than for the movies I watched inside them. After studying film at university and later moving into hospitality, coming back to exhibition just felt right, and I finally found myself doing something I love: running the iconic Everyman Hampstead.
Natalie Mulinowa, Regal Cineworld: I started as an usher on May 1, 2008, at the first multiplex in the Czech Republic, a venue that opened back in 2000. I was 17 at the time and honestly was just looking for a summer job to fund trips to music festivals. I still smile thinking about how many times I watched Iron Man and What Happens in Vegas during those early shifts. The truth is, I never set out to build a career in cinema exhibition. It found me. What started as something temporary gradually became something far more meaningful. Today, I feel genuinely fortunate that my role doesn’t feel like work in the conventional sense. It still feels like a passion, something I care deeply about.
Andres Jasper, Apollo Cinemas Baltics: My first job in cinema was actually making popcorn. From there, I moved forward step-by-step, learning different parts of the business along the way. At the beginning it was just a job, but the more I got involved, especially on the technical side, the more I realized how much goes on behind the scenes to create a great cinema experience. That’s when I knew this was something I wanted to stick with and build a career in.
Anne-Marie Otter, Bygdekinoen: My first job in the cinema industry was as a cinema manager in a small municipality outside Oslo. The cinema work was only a minor part of my role. I quickly realized that I enjoyed the work, and later I had the opportunity to turn it into a full-time career.
What is your favorite part of working in the cinema industry?
Tomaso Quilleri, Regno del Cinema: Even though I now deal a lot with development, numbers, and business, my favorite part is still the films. The big screen moves me. I love the movie theater as an irreplaceable place for shared emotions.
Marianne Hoff, Friberg Kino: I love watching great films from all over the world and being able to select a variety of films for our local audience in Balestrand. I enjoy inviting people of all ages to our screenings and greeting them before and after the film.
Another favorite has been watching my five daughters grow up to become film lovers. The industry’s seminars, meetings, and social gatherings have given me knowledge, ideas, and many good friendships, which inspires me to keep up my volunteer work at Friberg Kino.
It has been, and still is, rewarding to fight for the Norwegian model for cinemas inside the industry, especially through Norsk Kinoforbund. My main focus has been cooperative efforts to secure the survival of cinemas around Norway. These cinemas mean a lot to the cultural life of their local communities.
Nick Davey, Everyman Cinema: What truly distinguishes cinema from almost any other industry is its relentless momentum; there is always another breathtaking release or major event around the corner. Beyond that, it connects you with people who possess a genuine, infectious passion for their craft, which is something that constantly inspires and drives you.
Natalie Mulinowa, Regal Cineworld: What I value most is the positive energy this industry brings into people’s lives. Cinemas are places where people come to relax, disconnect from the everyday, and share moments that matter. We offer an escape from the ordinary, and that’s a privilege.
We become part of people’s memories: a first cinema visit, a first date, a first kiss, or the moment a parent brings their child to experience a film on the big screen for the very first time. I can relate to all of those moments, not just professionally, but personally. I’ve lived them myself. Being part of creating memories like those is something I find deeply rewarding.
I’ve also been lucky to experience this industry from many angles, from greeting guests at the door to seeing them enjoy food and products we’ve carefully developed and refined. Everything connects back to the same goal: making the cinema experience better. That’s what I truly love.
Andres Jasper, Apollo Cinemas Baltics: For me, it’s that mix of technology and emotion. You can work with complex systems, but in the end it’s all about how the audience experiences the film. I like knowing that if everything is working perfectly, people can just enjoy the movie without thinking about anything else. And, of course, getting to watch a lot of movies over the years has been a pretty nice bonus, too.
Anne-Marie Otter, Bygdekinoen: My favorite part is creating experiences that the audience genuinely enjoys and remembers. Bygdekinoen is a mobile cinema that visits small communities all over Norway. It might be the only one in the world organized this way. We bring our own projector, screen, and film, setting up screenings everywhere from schools and community centers to state-of-the-art cultural hubs. This creates a gathering place for small communities. I also love that every single day is different. Last but not least—working in cinema requires teamwork with wonderful colleagues.
What advice would you give to newcomers to the industry who are interested in pursuing cinema exhibition as a career?
Tomaso Quilleri, Regno del Cinema: I would say to start from the bottom. Do not be afraid to grow by starting to work within the facilities, in contact with the public. That is the only way to fully understand the dynamics of such a unique job as that of a cinema exhibitor, which, in my opinion, can only truly be learned in the field.
Marianne Hoff, Friberg Kino: Working in the cinema industry can be both inspiring and challenging. I would advise newcomers to gain relevant knowledge about your organization, your audience, and your community and to share ideas and learn through cooperation with other cinemas and cinema organizations. If you are up for a challenge, go for it and enjoy.
Nick Davey, Everyman Cinema: While it’s a relatively small industry in some respects, the variety of roles within it is vast. You just need to get a foot in the door, discover where your strengths and passions lie, and then chart your course from there. We are incredibly fortunate nowadays that there are so many resources available if you have the drive to learn. My YouTube algorithm is a constant mix of everything from practical skills like soldering XLR cables to wonderfully complex explanations of metamerism, though sometimes such topics aren’t always my most riveting subject of conversation for those outside of the industry.
Natalie Mulinowa, Regal Cineworld: Be warned. It might steal your heart and become the love of your life. If you’re someone who thrives on human connection and finds joy in bringing positivity to others, there’s a very good chance this industry will become a long-term home for you. Exhibition is a unique world, filled with passionate and genuinely inspiring people. It’s also an industry where learning never stops. From colleagues and fellow exhibitors to suppliers, studios, and distributors, every corner of the ecosystem has something to teach you, and every part contributes to what we ultimately deliver to audiences. Stay open. Stay curious. Embrace every opportunity to grow. It’s a journey well worth taking.
Andres Jasper, Apollo Cinemas Baltics: Stay curious and don’t be afraid to start small. This industry has a lot of different sides to it, and the best way to understand it is by getting hands-on experience. Technology is always evolving, so being willing to learn is key. And honestly, paying attention to the little details matters a lot—sometimes it’s the smallest thing that can affect the experience of the entire audience.
Anne-Marie Otter, Bygdekinoen: Just like anywhere else in professional life, you have to be adaptable, flexible, and service-minded. It is crucial to maintain a positive attitude and stay curious about film and all the different aspects of cinema operations—including technology, programming, marketing, and the guest experience.
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