Outgoing NATO CEO John Fithian Honored for Lifetime Achievement by Variety Children’s Charity of Southern California

John Fithian, longtime leader of the National Association of Theater Owners, received Variety of Southern California’s Lifetime Achievement Award as he prepares to retire after leading NATO through decades of transition.

The Children’s Charity Award is presented annually to an individual who has made a significant and profound charitable contribution throughout their career.

Fithian was appointed NATO President and CEO in 2000 after serving as an external consultant. Last fall, he announced that he would be stepping down on May 1 and will hand over the baton to new boss Michael O’Leary at CinemaCon in Las Vegas later this month.

As NATO chief, Fithian guided film owners through the transition to digital projection, fought film theft, implemented a voluntary film rating system, advocated for a healthy theatrical release time and maintained close relationships with creatives, producers, distributors and other trade bodies, including the Film Society. He helped steer the industry through Covid, promoting grant programs, tax breaks and financial support for laid-off industrial workers and developing CinemaSafe’s workplace health and safety protocols.

Fithian played a key role in launching CinemaCon in 2011 and the Global Cinema Federation worked to increase the efficiency of exhibitors worldwide. The Cinema Foundation, a non-profit organization founded last year, brings together stakeholders to promote and shape the future of the film industry.

Fithian and his wife Maria Gagani have been actively involved with Variety, reviving a local chapter serving families in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia focused on helping children with mobility issues. Fithian was president of Variety of the National Capital Region for eight years until last summer. Variety International is a global charity that supports disabled, abused, physically challenged and disadvantaged children.

“I’ve never felt comfortable receiving awards, especially awards for my work,” Fithian said. “But this is different. Variety’s work is so important and so personal to me that I humbly and gratefully accept this award. I want to thank Variety for this opportunity to raise awareness and donations for their amazing work with children.”

“John is a hero to everyone at the show, not only for his tireless leadership in guiding the industry through the recent turmoil,” said Steve Bunnell, president of Variety Southern California, “but also for his wisdom, passion and creativity to solve them. of problems.”

Past honorees include Barry Reardon, Phil Barlow, Nikki Rocco, Dan Fellman, Wayne Lewellen, Dick Cook, Tom Sherak, Rory Bruer, Bruce Snyder, Chuck Viane, Jim Tharp, Tim Warner, Amy Miles, Richie Fay, Travis Reid, Clark Woods and Bob Lenihan.