Services for journalists

London, 1 June 2004
Cobra Beer Launches New Association With UK Cinema Industry By Sponsoring Better-Equipped Media Centre At FDA Cinema Days Events

Film Distributors' Association (FDA), the trade body for UK theatrical film distributors, today announces a tie-up with the specialist Indian beer, Cobra, which is to sponsor the new Media Centre at FDA's tri-annual Cinema Days events, starting in June 2004.

Cinema Days, held in a regional multiplex over a four-day weekend in January, June and October, is a convention of regional film journalists and critics from all over the UK. With a busy programme of preview screenings and press conferences, Cinema Days aims to enable and promote wider coverage of film in the UK's thriving regional media, including radio stations, websites and local newspapers. Forty million adults UK-wide read a local newspaper every week.

The Cinema Days Media Centre is accommodated in a large portable facility, situated adjacent to the host multiplex. Together with catering equipment and a marquee seating more than 100, it forms part of the Cinema Days temporary 'village'. From June 2004, the Media Centre will benefit from additional facilities: delegates may view trailers or EPK footage, and hot-desk and transmit copy, as well as collecting daily press information and publicity materials.

At this month's Cinema Days, taking place in Leicester on 3-6 June, delegates will also be offered the chance to win a year's supply of Cobra. The lucky winner will be announced shortly after the event, on midsummer's day.

Simon Edwards, Marketing Director of Cobra Beer, said: "Cobra is delighted to be supporting FDA and its Cinema Days events. We have been a substantial advertiser on UK cinema screens and it is wonderful to be building on our association with the cinema industry. We hope all the Cinema Days delegates enjoy sampling Cobra Beer, as well as the range of new films, this month."

FDA Chief Executive, Mark Batey, said: "Cobra Beer is really adding value to the Cinema Days experience, and we are thrilled to have them on board."

For further information, please contact

• Cobra: Simon Edwards, Marketing Director. Tel: 020 7731 6200
  
  
• FDA: Peter Scott, Cinema Days Co-ordinator. Tel: 07855 940 920
  Mark Batey, Chief Executive. Tel: 020 7437 4383

Notes to editors

• Cobra Beer, first brewed in Bangalore in 1989, has swiftly become a global brand. Today it is brewed in Britain, Poland and India and is one of the UK's fastest growing beer brands. More at www.cobrabeer.com.
  
• Cobra Beer's year-long sponsorship of the Media Centre at Cinema Days starts at the next event, which takes place at the Vue (formerly Warner Village) multiplex, Meridian Leisure Park, Braunstone, Leicester from Thursday 3 - Sunday 6 June 2004. The full current schedule of screenings, press conferences and events is available at www.cinemadays.com.
  
• Film Distributors' Association has 14 member companies whose releases account for approximately 96% of UK cinema admissions. The Cinema Days events, which began in 1988, have been organised under FDA's banner since January 2004. More on FDA's activities and services at www.launchingfilms.com.