NYSBA Panel To Discuss if the Movie Theater Is Becoming Obsolete
2.23.2026
With many movies skipping a theatrical release in favor of going directly to streaming, does theatrical distribution have a future? The New York State Bar Association will host a panel of industry experts as they delve into the future of movies on big and small screens.
“The State of Theatrical Releasing in 2026: Dead Man Walking or Innovative Change?” will take place on March 26 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Over the past decade, more audiences are choosing to watch movies at home – a trend that accelerated when the COVID-19 pandemic forced theaters to shut down in 2020. Theaters have reopened since then, but attendance is still declining. However, some movies have drawn large crowds to theaters, like the releases of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” in 2023, a cultural phenomenon known as Barbenheimer. Nevertheless, the future of moviegoing remains uncertain.
The speakers – all film industry experts – will be:
- Richard Abramowitz, founder/CEO of Abramorama.
- Ira Deutchman, president at Deutchman Company and professor of Professional Practice in Film at Columbia University.
- Andrew Herwitz, president of The Film Sales Company.
The moderator will be will Wendy Lidell, a film distribution executive with decades of industry experience.
The webinar is free for association members as part of as one of the many benefits of the association’s all-inclusive membership package. Non-members must pay $25.
The program is sponsored by the association’s Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section and its Motion Pictures Committee.
