Write up and Photos by: John Barsky 2015
CinemaCon,the annual gathering of the National Association of Theatre Owners (N.A.T.O.), took place at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas,Nevada from April 20-23.
The event featured new movie releases including the new Pitches 2 movie coming to theatres this May .This is the first film to be directed by actress Elizabeth Banks who also received the Breakthrough Filmmaker of the Year award from CinemaCon at the last day award presentations.

The movie SPY directed by Paul Feig and starring Melissa McCarthy,Jude Law, Jason Stratham, Rose Byrne and many others was also shown at the convention and an after party at “Club Spy” followed that screening.

Parties, seminars ,screener previews, breakfasts, lunches and dinners were all part of the CinemaCon convention as was a great trade show that featured some of the newest and best ideas in theatre viewing and vending.
The Wednesday lunch was a salute to legend Clint Eastwood with a one on one discussion about his filmmaking process and his passion for movie going with moderator Stephen Galloway, Executive Features Editor for the Hollywood Reporter.

The CinemaCon Awards took place on Thursday, April 23rd. Billy Bush from Access Hollywood was the Emcee.
The Awards were as follows:
Lifetime Achievement Award — Alan Arkin
Breakthrough Filmmaker of the Year — Elizabeth Banks
2015 Star of Tomorrow — Britt Robertson
Director of the Year — Francis Lawrence
Breakthrough Performer of the Year — Amy Schumer
Rising Stars of 2015 — Nat Wolff and Cara Delevingne
CinemaCon Ensemble Award — Cast of “Fantastic Four” (Jamie Bell, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara and Miles Teller)
Comedy Filmmaker of the Year — Paul Feig
CinemaCon Vanguard Award — Julianne Moore
Comedy Star of the Year — Kevin Hart
Female Star of the Year — Rose Byrne
Male Star of the Year — Paul Rudd
PHOTOS LISTING:
Breakthrough Filmmaker of the Year — Elizabeth Banks
CinemaCon Vanguard Award — Julianne Moore
Rising Star of 2015 — Cara Delevingne
Comedy Star of the Year — Kevin Hart
Lifetime Achievement Award — Alan Arkin
2015 Star of Tomorrow — Britt Robertson
Female Star of the Year — Rose Byrne
JIM GIANOPOLOS (chief of Fox ) and Comedy Filmmaker of the Year — Paul Feig