UNIC, International Union of Cinemas, is the union of national associations of cinema owners of eighteen mainly European countries (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, Luxemburg, Israel, Hungary, Irland, Greece, Turkey).

UNIC was created in 1964 on the initiative of the Presidents of the Federations of Germany, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Holland and Italy. Austria, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland joined soon after, followed by Scandinavian countries and, more recently, by Israel, Greece, Hungary, Irland and Turkey.

Since 2000, companies operating in at least two European countries or possessing at least 5% of their national market have been eligible for individual membership of UNIC following the example of UGC, EuroPalaces, Kinepolis Group, Utopolis and Mars Entertainment Group.

UNIC represents more than 28,000 screens with more than 900 million annual admissions covering about 375 million inhabitants.

Most of UNIC’s members represent the majority of cinemas in their country, from independently-owned cinemas to chains, together with subsidised and art cinemas.

The general Assembly of all members takes place at least once a year, traditionnally at the Cannes International Film Festival. More frequent Executive Committee meetings take place in all member countries in rotation.

The 2008 General Assembly has elected Ad Weststrate (Dutch Federation) as President, Jean Labé (France) as Senior Vice-President and three Vice-Presidents : Fernando Evole (Spain), Kim Pedersen (Denmark) and Lene Loeken (Norway).