CINEMATOGRAPHY, 2021

In 2021, there were 76 cinemas operating. Out of the total number of permanent cinemas, 46 were equipped with one screen and 24 with more screens. There were 19 autonomous cinemas and 55 cinemas that were parts of other business entities, as follows: 12 of them operated as parts of film showing companies, 33 as parts of cultural/educational institutions (homes of culture, public and open universities, etc.) and 12 as parts of other institutions/companies.

Gradual recovery of cinemas in 2021

After 2020, when it was impossible for all holders of cultural activities to work for the most part of the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the year 2021 was a move in the positive direction. Most cinemas were open throughout the year, with the exception of seasonal cinemas and cinemas in areas of the County of Sisak-Moslavina struck with the earthquake. Compared to 2020, the number of screenings in 2021 increased by 68% and of attendances by 64%. However, in spite of the fact that the number of screenings and attendances significantly increased in 2020, it still did not reach the 2019 figures. Hence, there was still a decrease of 12% in the number of screenings and as much as 51% in the number of attendances, as compared to 2020.

In open-air cinemas, in which the number of screenings and attendances mildly increased in 2020, that number decreased in 2021 compared to the year before. The relaxing of measures and opening of indoor cinemas caused that the trend of open-air cinemas decreased by 66% in the number of screenings and by 48% in the number of attendances, as compared to the previous year. In addition to open-air cinemas, four cinemas with permanent screens, apart from their standard indoor screenings, had guest open-air screenings.

Concerning domestic films, the share of screenings was 4% and of attendances it was 6% in 2021.

Ticket sale revenue in cinemas

The increase in screenings and attendances was followed by an increase in ticket sale revenue. The total gross revenue of all cinemas was 87% higher than in 2020. The largest growth of revenues was recorded in cinemas equipped with more screens, of even 96%, while cinemas equipped with one screen recorded a growth of 14%. A decline in the ticket sale revenue, which was expected due to the reduced number of attendances, was recorded in three open-air and mobile cinemas, of as much as 12% compared to 2020.

As compared to 2019, one year before the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic started, the total gross ticket sale revenue in 2020 was still by 45% lower. Data for 2021 showed a gradual recovery after 2020, the year which was full of challenges in all cultural activities.

NOTES ON METHODOLOGY

Sources and methods of data collection

Data are the result of the processing of annual reports filled in by cinemas on the KINO-1 form, the Annual Report on Film Production, by business entities engaged in the distribution of films on the KINO-5 form, the Annual Report on the Distribution of Feature Films and publishers of video works on the NKL-5/1 form, the Annual Report on Audio-Visual Works.

Coverage and comparability

The statistical survey covers cinemas, business entities engaged in distribution of films and publishers of video works. Data are comparable to those from previous years.

Definitions and explanations

Cinema is an auditorium or an open-air space equipped with facilities for public showing of films.

Permanent cinemas show films in a permanent auditorium equipped with a cinema projector, film screen and seats.

Open-air cinemas show films on a permanent open-air space.

Mobile cinemas do not have a fixed auditorium, but show films at their headquarters or outside of it, either in an auditorium or at an open-air space.

Cinema show is a public screening of a film programme, a projection of a feature film, with or without an addition, lasting for approximately 120 minutes.

Film production companies and TV centres produce feature and short films independently or in co-production.

Audio-visual works (films and video films) are cinematographic or similar works that are filmed by using a method corresponding to cinematography, irrespective of the filming technique and contents.

Territorial constitution

Data by counties are presented according to the Act on the Territories of Counties, Towns and Municipalities in the Republic of Croatia (NN, Nos 86/06, 125/06, 16/07, 95/08, 46/10, 145/10, 37/13, 44/13, 45/13 and 110/15) with the situation as on 31 December 2021.

Published by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, Zagreb, Ilica 3, P. O. B. 80
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Persons responsible:
Dubravka Rogić Hadžalić, Director of Demographic and Social Statistics Directorate
Lidija Brković, Director General

Prepared by:
Marija Gojević and Gordana Bralić

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