Fathom Events, the country’s largest event cinema distributor, is “postponing and cancelling certain live and pre-recorded events in markets across the country” amid the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, the company said in a statement.
Among documentaries and Opera shows, the company had planned 25th anniversary screenings for “Braveheart” and “Apollo 13” for late March and April respectively.
This also follows the closure of America’s largest theater chains and Fathom’s parent companies, AMC Theaters and Regal Cinemas. Several State and Local Governments around the country have also ordered the closure of all movie theaters within their confines. Currently, all theaters are closed in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Los Angeles and parts of Pennsylvania.
While some individual theaters may remain open, theater chains around the country are closing. Since the statement Cinemark Theatres, another Fathom parent company and the country’s third-largest theater chain, has announced they too would be closing their locations beginning March 18.
Fathom says it plans to follow the recommendations of relevant unions, government agencies and organizations.
Read the company’s full statement below:
The health and safety of our attendees is of the highest importance to us, and, as movie theaters close across the nation, we are in the process of cancelling or postponing many of our planned events beginning March 18, 2020. Up-to-date information can be found on our website, www.FathomEvents.com.
During this unprecedented time, Fathom Events is actively maintaining contact with partners and monitoring health organizations’ guidance to determine when future events may take place. We will ensure they are safe and follow the recommendations set by all experts, including exhibitor and content partners, the National Association of Theatre Owners, the CDC, the WHO and other relevant organizations. We look forward to continuing to bring audiences across the country the best in-cinema experiences when it is safe to do so.
UPDATE: Cinemark has announced it would be closing its locations since Fathom’s statement. Fathom has also released a list of which planned programs would be cancelled and which ones postponed:
CANCELLED:
Bolshoi Ballet: Jewels
Steven Universe: The Movie Sing-A-Long Event
The Met: Live in HD – Tosca
The Met: Live in HD – Maria Stuarda
POSTPONED:
Apollo 13 25th Anniversary
Bolshoi Ballet: Romeo and Juliet
Braveheart 25th Anniversary
Chasing Whiskey
Children of the Sea
Climate Hustle 2
Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna
Dino Dana The Movie
Fate/stay night [Heaven’s Feel] I. presage flower & II. lost butterfly Double Feature
Fate/stay night [Heaven’s Feel] III. spring song
Gladiator 20th Anniversary
I Am Patrick
Patterns of Evidence: The Red Sea Miracle II
PROMARE (Complete)
Robert the Bruce
Sight & Sound Theatres® presents: JESUS
TCM Big Screen Classics: A League of Their Own
The Carol Burnett Show: Laugh All Night
The Rachel and Dave Hollis Variety Show
