OREANDA-NEWS The Russian Association of Theater Owners has announced its withdrawal from the International Association of Cinemas, RIA Novosti reported, citing an official statement from the AVC.

UNIC will consider the question of withdrawal at the next assembly, scheduled for June 21. The decision was made against the background of Hollywood studios' refusal to rent premieres in Russia.

Earlier, Roman Isayev, head of the Russian representative office of Comscore Corporation, said that the Russian authorities had refused to provide a subsidy of 6.5 billion rubles to cinemas. According to him, the Association of cinema owners has repeatedly asked for help and conducted analytical calculations, but the government has not reciprocated.

This, warned Isayev, threatens the mass closure of cinemas. Isaev added that cinemas will try to send new appeals and proposals to support the industry.