CINEMATOGRAPHY, 2023

A total of 113 cinema venues operated in 2023. The cooperation established with the Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC) resulted in enlargement in the number of registered exhibitors in 2023 due to the fact that crafts and autonomous associations engaged in film-producing activity according to the register of the Croatian Audiovisual Centre also entered the coverage. The mentioned enlargement in the number of exhibitors, predominantly in rural settlements, also resulted in enlarged number of reporting units compared to the previous years. In 2023, out of the total number of permanent exhibitors, 78 were equipped with one screen and 28 with more screens. There were 23 independent exhibitors and 90 exhibitors that were parts of other business entities, as follows: 12 of them operated as parts of film-showing companies, 55 as parts of cultural/educational institutions (homes of culture, public and open universities, etc.) and 23 as parts of other institutions/companies.

Most exhibitors had screenings throughout the year, except for seasonal ones and those in the areas of the County of Sisak-Moslavina struck with the earthquake. Compared to the previous year, when 81% of exhibitors had screenings for more than six months, in 2023 that share reached 89%. The number of screenings in 2023 increased by 2% compared to 2022. Attendances also increased, by 23%. The share of screenings of domestic films and their attendances was 7% in 2023 and 4% in 2022.

In 2023, in addition to the six registered open-air exhibitors, there were eight additional exhibitors equipped with a permanent screen that had open-air screenings during the warmer months. After turbulent years caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a gradual drop was spotted in the number of occasional open-air screenings of some exhibitors during summer months in 2023. Thus, there were 27% less open-air screenings and 31% less attendances.

Concerning non-cinematographic content, Croatian exhibitors showed in 2023 a total of 1 194 short films seen by 32 240 spectators. Along with short films, there were other alternative contents, such as opera, ballet as well as sports and music events, which were seen by 35 564 attendees.

Due to the enlargement in the exhibitor coverage in 2023, the number of persons in employment and volunteers also increased, by 32% and 41%, respectively.

Ticket sale revenue of exhibitors

After introduction of euro as the official currency, an increase of 32% was observed in 2023 in the ticket sale revenue of exhibitors. The revenue in permanent exhibitors equipped with one screen, whose number in the coverage significantly grew, was 79% higher, in exhibitors equipped with more screens it was 28% higher and in open-air and mobile exhibitors it was 51% higher. The revenue from alternative content in cinema venues, such as concerts, or performances and sports events, also continued to increase significantly, by 135% compared to 2022. 

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 Annual Report on Cinemas (KINO-1 form) and by business entities engaged in the distribution of films on the Annual Report on Film Production (KINO-5 form).

Coverage and comparability

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

Definitions and explanations

Cinema venue is a space in which films are displayed.

Exhibitor is a natural person or legal entity engaged in public screening of films, which is registered in the activity of public showing of audiovisual works, which has in its disposal a space and equipment that is in line with special regulations and which is entered in the register of exhibitors kept by the Croatian Audiovisual Centre.

Public screening is considered a display of films with the intention to make them available to a large number of people in cinema venues and within other organised public screening.

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

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

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

Screening is a public display 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.

Distributor is a natural person or legal entity engaged in distribution of audiovisual works, which is registered in the activity of distribution of audiovisual works and entered into the register of distributors kept by the Croatian Audiovisual Centre.

Audiovisual works are feature films and documentaries, animated films, alternative films, experimental films and other audiovisual works which present artistic and/or author’s expression, irrespective of the filming and displaying technique and medium used.

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 2023.

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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