CINEMACON RENAMES CAESARS PALACE VENUE "THE DOLBY COLOSSEUM" FOR 2026 CONVENTION

For the first time in CinemaCon history, the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas will be called "The Dolby Colosseum" for the week-long duration of this year's convention, which takes place April 13-16.

Dolby, a leader in immersive entertainment experiences, has signed the naming rights deal for this year's CinemaCon, in addition to its ongoing support of the convention, hosted by Cinema United. Dolby has been a sponsor of CinemaCon since its inception in 2011. The Dolby Colosseum will once again be outfitted with Academy Award-winning Dolby Atmos sound and the Dolby Vision laser projection system.

"We are excited about the next step in our invaluable partnership with Dolby Laboratories. State-of-the-art technology is a cornerstone of the theatrical experience and renaming CinemaCon's iconic main venue for this incredible global leader is a natural choice," says Michael O'Leary, President and CEO of Cinema United.

"The talented people at Dolby bring unparalleled innovation and excitement to theatres each day, and it is only fitting that the world's premier celebration of going to the movies take place in 'The Dolby Colosseum.' I want to thank Jed Harmsen and everyone at Dolby for their continuing leadership, and their unwavering support of exhibition."

"CinemaCon has always been an impactful industry moment for highlighting Dolby Cinema, Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision,” says Jed Harmsen, Head of Cinema and Group Entertainment at Dolby Laboratories. "This year, we are excited to elevate our dedication to bringing a new level of truly immersive entertainment to moviegoers everywhere and have the Dolby Colosseum be the home for studio presentations during CinemaCon."

In addition to other industry technologies, for the past 15 years, Dolby has been instrumental in providing state-of-the-art quality for main stage studio presentations in the Colosseum. Several presentations during the week of CinemaCon will be presented in both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Dolby is also the official sponsor of the CinemaCon app.

CinemaCon, the official convention of Cinema United, is the world's premier showcase of theatrical exhibition, taking place April 13-16 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

ABOUT CINEMACON:

CinemaCon attracts upwards of six thousand motion picture professionals from all facets of the industry--from exhibition and distribution to the equipment and concession areas--all on hand to celebrate the moviegoing experience and the cinema industry.

The Coca-Cola Company--one of the industry's most highly regarded and respected partners in the world of movies--and Barco--a global technology company leading in visualization, networking, and collaboration solutions--are the official co-presenting sponsors of CinemaCon 2026.

For more information, visit cinemacon.com. Follow CinemaCon on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

ABOUT DOLBY:

Dolby Laboratories, Inc. is a world leader in immersive entertainment. From movies and TV, to music, sports, gaming, and beyond, Dolby transforms the science of sight and sound into spectacular experiences for billions of people worldwide across all their favorite devices. We partner with artists, storytellers, and the brands you love to transform entertainment and digital experiences through groundbreaking innovations like Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, Dolby Cinema, and Dolby OptiView.

ABOUT CINEMA UNITED:

CINEMACON WELCOMES GKIDS AND ACADEMY AWARD WINNING FILMMAKER TAKASHI YAMAZAKI

CinemaCon, the world's largest convention for the global cinema industry and the official convention of Cinema United, will kick off its April 14 studio presentations on the main stage of the Caesars Palace Colosseum with a special preview from GKIDS, further demonstrating the importance of diverse movies seen on the big screen.

GKIDS, the Academy Award-winning curator, producer, and distributor that was acquired by TOHO in 2024, will lead Tuesday morning's "State of the Industry" opening presentation with exclusive sneak preview footage from the highly anticipated "Godzilla Minus Zero." Director Takashi Yamazaki, who won 2023's Academy Award for "Best Visual Effects" for the box office phenom "Godzilla Minus One," will take the stage at CinemaCon for the first time for a special introduction to the upcoming film.

This year's exclusive first-look of footage from "Godzilla Minus Zero" bookends an earlier presentation from 2024, when TOHO President Hiro Matsuoka took to the stage at CinemaCon to celebrate the historic release of "Godzilla Minus One" and highlight the Godzilla franchise's 70th anniversary.

"The future strength of our industry depends on a year-round diverse slate of films that speaks to the broad range of moviegoing audiences around the world. GKIDS exemplifies a commitment to diverse moviegoing choices, and we are thrilled to be working with them," said Michael O'Leary, President and CEO of Cinema United. "Many thanks to David Jesteadt, the entire GKIDS team and the visionary filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki for their continued support of theatrical and what is sure to be an incredible show."

"We are longtime champions of the importance of the shared theatrical experience," said David Jesteadt, President of GKIDS. "We believe there's no better place to kick off Yamazaki-san's "Godzilla Minus Zero" than at CinemaCon with the folks who present that movie magic on the big screen: the cinema owners."

TOHO will release "Godzilla Minus Zero" theatrically in Japan on November 3, with GKIDS set to launch a wide theatrical release across North America beginning Nov. 6.

This news follows on the heels of the previously announced inaugural "CinemaCon Film Showcase," which will feature Angel, Row K Entertainment and STUDIOCANAL, all on the main stage for the first time on April 13. Hosted by Cinema United, CinemaCon is the world's premier showcase of theatrical exhibition, taking place April 13-16 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

ABOUT GKIDS:

GKIDS is the Academy Award-winning curator, producer, and distributor of artist-driven, globally inspired cinema dedicated to connecting North American audiences with distinctive stories from around the world. Widely celebrated for its leadership in the "animation is film" movement, the studio has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape for feature animation in the U.S. and internationally for nearly two decades.

GKIDS represents the work of many of the world's most acclaimed animation filmmakers, including Makoto Shinkai ("Your Name.," "Weathering With You"), Satoshi Kon ("Perfect Blue" and "Millennium Actress"), Tomm Moore ("Song of the Sea," "Wolfwalkers"), Mamoru Hosoda ("Mirai," "Wolf Children"), and serves as the North American home of Japan's legendary Studio Ghibli.

Other theatrical releases include the Oscar-nominated "Kokuho," a generations-spanning drama set in the world of kabuki, which has become the highest-grossing Japanese live action film of all time in its home market; the highly anticipated "Godzilla Minus Zero," from the Academy Award-winning filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki; and "Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom," the latest Aardman feature in the beloved Oscar-nominated film series.

In addition to the Oscar-nominated "Little Amelie" and the "Character of Rain," recent theatrical releases are the box office hit "Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution," Mamoru Oshii's cult classic "Angel's Egg," and the critically acclaimed "All You Need Is Kill," alongside groundbreaking television series such as "Dan Da Dan," "Neon Genesis Evangelion," and "Arcane: League of Legends."

MORE ABOUT "GODZILLA MINUS ZERO"

"Godzilla Minus Zero' is the highly anticipated new film from director, screenwriter and with VFX by Takashi Yamazaki, who won the Academy Award for "Best Visual Effects" for "Godzilla Minus One." While plot details remain tightly under wraps, CinemaCon attendees can look forward to a special first look of the hotly anticipated new feature. TOHO will release "Godzilla Minus Zero" theatrically in Japan on Nov. 3, with GKIDS set to launch a wide theatrical release across North America Nov. 6.

Yamazaki returns to "Godzilla" as director, screenwriter and for VFX. The film, which is currently in production, is produced by TOHO Studios and ROBOT, with VFX from SHIROGUMI Inc.

IN OTHER CINEMACON NEWS:

BLACK BEAR AND CINEMACON PARTNER ON OPENING NIGHT PARTY:

CinemaCon, the world's largest convention for the global cinema industry and the official convention of Cinema United, announced that Black Bear will serve as sponsor of CinemaCon's Opening Night Party on April 13, at the Soleia Rooftop Nightclub at the Cromwell in Las Vegas.

The celebration will cap off an eventful opening day of the theatrical industry's biggest week of the year, and Black Bear, a leading independent studio that produces, finances, and distributes film and television content worldwide, also will serve as a Spotlight Sponsor of the convention.

The annual launch party will highlight Black Bear's upcoming release titles that include Guy Ritchie's "In the Grey," starring Henry Cavill, Academy Award-nominee Jake Gyllenhaal, and Eiza Gonzalez; Academy Award-winning director Daniel Roher's "Tuner," starring Leo Woodall, Havana Rose Liu, and Academy Award-winner Dustin Hoffman; "The Rivals of Amziah King," starring Academy Award-winner Matthew McConaughey; "Spa Weekend," starring Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, Michelle Buteau, and Anna Faris; Guy Ritchie's "Wife & Dog," starring Academy Award-nominee Benedict Cumberbatch, Academy Award-nominee Rosamund Pike, and Academy Award-winner Anthony Hopkins; and Sundance breakout "Wicker," starring Academy Award-winner Olivia Colman, Alexander Skarsgard, and Peter Dinklage.

"We are excited to partner with Black Bear and spotlight their impressive slate at this year's CinemaCon,” said Michael O'Leary, President and CEO of Cinema United. "I want to thank the entire Black Bear team for their partnership. Our industry succeeds when there is something for everyone, and Black Bear's diverse range of films will appeal to moviegoers in 2026 and beyond."

"Black Bear" is passionate about connecting moviegoing audiences with filmmaker-driven fare as well as wide-release action and genre films," said David Spitz, Black Bear's Head of U.S. Theatrical Distribution. "Partnering with CinemaCon lets us celebrate the industry and reaffirm our commitment to the theatrical experience. We're excited to bring our distinctive slate of films to theaters as we expand our U.S. distribution footprint."

ABOUT BLACK BEAR: Black Bear is one of the world's leading independent studios, producing, financing, and distributing film and television content around the world.

Founded in 2011, with offices in Santa Monica and London, the studio is behind a diversified slate that blends critically acclaimed, filmmaker-driven fare with broadly commercial action and genre titles. The company directly distributes films in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, and Canada, where subsidiary Elevation Pictures is the territory's top independent distributor.

Black Bear's original films include Academy Award nominees "Train Dreams," "The Imitation Game," "Sing Sing," "Nyad," and "Mudbound," as well as Guy Ritchie's "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare," Craig Gillespie's "Dumb Money," "J Blakeson's "I Care a Lot," and David Ayer's "A Working Man."

Via its international sales business, Black Bear has sold films including Osgood Perkins' "Longlegs" and "The Monkey," and upcoming films including Marc Forster's "Anxious People," starring Angelina Jolie, Aimee Lou Wood, and Jason Segel.

The company's distribution operations in the U.K. and Canada have been behind Academy Award and BAFTA winners including Edward Berger's "Conclave," Brady Corbet's "The Brutalist," and Sean Baker's "Anora."

L.A. LIVE WILL BE NEW HOME OF THE OSCARS STARTING IN 2029

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and AEG announced a landmark multi-year partnership that includes L.A. LIVE becoming the new home of the Oscars, beginning with the 101st Oscars ceremony in 2029 and continuing through 2039. The Oscars ceremony will be held in the venue currently known as Peacock Theater.

AEG--the leader in sports and live entertainment and the developer and owner of some of the world's most iconic venues-- owns and operates L.A. LIVE, the internationally renowned 23-acre/4-million-square-foot sports and entertainment district in downtown Los Angeles adjacent to Crypto.com Arena.

As part of this partnership, AEG will undertake comprehensive enhancements to the theater, including upgrades to its stage, sound and lighting systems, lobbies, backstage facilities and additional production-critical areas. AEG will collaborate closely with the Academy to incorporate bespoke design elements needed to accommodate the Oscars ceremony.

Additionally, L.A. LIVE's recently expanded plaza will host red carpet arrivals and activities, and the theater will be the first venue to host the Oscars when it becomes available on YouTube through an exclusive global rights deal with the Academy, which also begins in 2029.

"We are thrilled to partner with a global powerhouse like AEG. Their track record for building and operating technologically sophisticated live performance venues is unrivaled," said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor. "For the 101st Oscars and beyond, the Academy looks forward to closely collaborating with AEG to make L.A. LIVE the perfect backdrop for our global celebration of cinema, both for our live in-theater audience and for film fans around the world."

"L.A. LIVE was built to host the moments that define culture, and there is no greater global stage than the Oscars,” said Todd Goldstein, Chief Revenue Officer, AEG. "We’re proud to partner with the Academy to reimagine what the Oscars can look and feel like in the years ahead. Together, we will create an environment that celebrates creativity, honors excellence, and delivers an unforgettable experience for movie fans everywhere."

Since the opening of Crypto.com Arena--formerly STAPLES Center--in 1999 and L.A. LIVE in 2007, the collection of venues, hotels (including The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott), restaurants, clubs and numerous hospitality spaces have hosted thousands of sports and entertainment events.

The Oscars will continue to be held at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide through the 100th Oscars in 2028.

MORE ABOUT THE ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES:

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world's premier film organization and is home to a global membership of more than 11,000 of the most accomplished film industry artists and leaders.

The Academy connects global audiences--its members, the film industry, and film fans--through their shared passion for making and watching films. The Academy does this by recognizing and celebrating the arts and sciences of moviemaking through renowned awards for cinematic achievement, including the Oscars, the Governors Awards, and the Scientific and Technical Awards. The Academy's affiliated charitable organization, the Academy Foundation, serves a public benefit through its robust educational, preservation and cultural activities.

This includes the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the world's largest global film museum, the Academy Collection, the largest film-related collection in the world, and talent development programs for emerging artists. Year-round, the Academy creates opportunities for all communities to engage with the film world.

ABOUT AEG:

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, AEG is the world's leading sports and live entertainment company. The company operates in the following business segments: Music through AEG Presents, which is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including the production and promotion of global and regional concert tours, an extensive portfolio of clubs, theaters and other music venues, concerts and special events and world-renowned festivals such as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival; Venues and Real Estate, which develops, owns and operates world-class venues, as well as major sports and entertainment districts like Crypto.com Arena and L.A. LIVE, Uber Platz in Berlin and The O2 in London; Sports, as the world's largest operator of high-profile sporting events and sports franchises including the LA Kings, LA Galaxy and Eisbaren Berlin; Global Partnerships, which oversees worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships including naming rights, premium seating, and other strategic partnerships and ticketing, through its AXS.com ticketing platform, which provides more than 400 clients worldwide with ticketing services that cover the gamut of entertainments, including sporting events, arena tours, music clubs, festivals, rodeos and family events.

AEG also collaborates with its affiliate companies including Walden Media, an independent film and television studio that develops and produces unique, motion pictures and television series that celebrate what we have in common, foster connection across generations, and aims to have a positive impact on society. Through its worldwide network of venues, portfolio of powerful sports and music brands and its integrated entertainment districts, AEG entertains more than 100 million guests annually. More information about AEG can be found at www.aegworldwide.com.

ABOUT L.A. LIVE:

L.A. LIVE is a 4‑million‑square‑foot, $3 billion sports and entertainment district located in downtown Los Angeles, adjacent to Crypto.com Arena and the Los Angeles Convention Center. The campus features The Novo, a 2,300‑capacity live music venue; Peacock Theater, a 7,100‑seat live theatre; and a 54‑story, 1,001‑room convention headquarters destination showcasing The Ritz‑Carlton, Los Angeles and JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE, along with 224 luxury condominiums known as The Ritz‑Carlton Residences at L.A. LIVE—all within a single tower.

Additional highlights include the 14‑screen Regal L.A. LIVE cinemas, ESPN broadcast facilities, the Grammy Museum, and more than 24 restaurants, bars, and hospitality options. Developed by AEG, L.A. LIVE is considered the nation's most active live content and event campus, hosting more award shows, sporting competitions, concerts, and hospitality experiences than any other destination in the world.