EXCLUSIVE: Longtime Cinema United (né National Association of Theatre Owners) vet Mitch Neuhauser will be retiring following CinemaCon 2028.

Neuhauser has been the face of CinemaCon, typically kicking off most presentations onstage, not to mention a relentless organizer of the event. He was key in mounting CinemaCon’s comeback as Covid eased with an August 2021 edition. It was a vital move for theatrical to move forward with CinemaCon at a time when the majors were being crushed by streaming due to the pandemic. The exhibitor-studio conference is typically held in the spring before the May summer box office kicks off. He’s been overseeing the growth of CinemaCon since 2009.

“It is impossible to overstate what Mitch means to Cinema United and the entire exhibition community. He is synonymous with CinemaCon, and it simply would not have become the spectacular event that it is without him,” said Cinema United President and CEO, Michael O’Leary. “Mitch loves this industry, the people in exhibition and the studios, and the experience of seeing a movie in a theatre. His vision and leadership will be missed, but I want to join everyone in the entertainment industry in congratulating him on an amazing career.”

“Working in this incredible industry for the past 45 years has been the dream of a lifetime, capped off by bringing CinemaCon to fruition in 2011,” Neuhauser said. “Our industry is unlike any other. We bring people together from all around the world, and that has inspired me across all these years. Knowing that Michael O’Leary and Cinema United are also recognizing the important contributions of Matt Pollock, who I’ve worked with for almost two decades, gives me great satisfaction. CinemaCon, Cinema United and the global theatrical industry will be in great hands when the baton is passed in 2028.”

Neuhauser began his career in 1981 with the Sunshine Group Worldwide, where he ultimately became VP following the company’s purchase in 1998 and oversaw ShowEast, Cinema Expo, CineAsia, and later ShoWest, beginning in 2001. Neuhauser joined NATO in 2009 and spearheaded the transition from ShoWest to CinemaCon in 2011. Neuhauser served on the Board of Directors of the Will Rogers Motion Pictures Pioneers Foundation and received the Heart of Show Business Award from Variety of Southern California in 2018.

Cinema United also announced today that Matt Pollock will immediately assume the role of Co-Managing Director of CinemaCon and begin the transition of taking over the lead position in 2028.

“Matt is the perfect choice to assume this important role. He has all the qualities necessary to ensure that CinemaCon continues to grow and evolve into the future,” added O’Leary. “Making him Co-Managing Director today illustrates the confidence that I, along with the entire exhibition industry, have in Matt. I am also pleased he will work closely with Mitch through this important transition.”

Hosted by Cinema United, CinemaCon will take place on April 12-15, 2027 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

A comedy from first-time feature filmmaker Ellie Sachs is heading to theaters.

Aero Films has acquired North American rights to writer-director Sachs’ indie film Lucy Schulman and plans a theatrical release for early 2027, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Sachs also stars alongside David Cross, Thomas Mann and Hasan Minhaj in the movie that is set in New York City.

Lucy Schulman centers on Lucy (Sachs), who endures a devastating breakup and ends up moving back in with her quirky single dad (Cross) as she navigates cringeworthy dates and other personal challenges. It premiered earlier this year at the Tribeca Festival.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Ellie and the filmmaking team to bring Lucy Schulman to audiences,” says Aero Films co-founder and CEO Ryan Pallas. “Ellie has crafted a distinctly New York comedy that feels both timeless and completely fresh. It’s funny, full of heart and exactly the kind of film we started Aero to champion. We’re excited to share it with audiences on the big screen.”

Sachs helmed the movie from her own script. Fernando Loureiro, Guilherme Coelho, Morwin Schmookler and Gabriel Amaral serve as producers. Executive producers include Cross, Pallas, Tristan Bland, Jay Burnley, Brian Devine, Sam Evoy, Will Day Frank, Will Janowitz, Anne Jarmain, Carissa Knol, Clay Prietsch, Kelly Schwartz, Sascha Seinfeld, Chelsea Tieu, Zachary Rice, Kyra Rogers and Todd Remis. UTA and Knol Hanly Garrett negotiated the deal on behalf of the filmmakers, while Pallas negotiated for Aero Films.

“I feel very lucky to be working with Aero Films,” says Sachs. “The Aero team is brilliant; their instincts are spot on, and they got Lucy right from the jump. This is a movie straight from my heart, and it’s both an honor and a privilege to have it in theaters. I’m so excited for audiences to see it.”

Adds producer and Tigresa co-founder Loureiro, “Ellie created something truly special with Lucy Schulman, and we couldn’t be prouder of this film. Aero Films shares our passion for authentic storytelling, and we’re beyond excited to partner with them. We can’t wait for audiences to experience Lucy Schulman in theaters.”