Become a Member

For many of the challenges within the industry, NATO needs as much unity and coordination as possible. NATO needs your participation. NATO membership will provide you with vital information on a timely basis about developments in technology, studio initiatives that affect your business, and threats from federal lawmakers, regulators, and litigation plaintiffs. As a member of NATO, you can participate in shaping the policies and approaches to the challenges faced by all exhibitors.

Membership Definition

According to NATO’s bylaws, a Regular Member is any sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or other business entity which is directly engaged in the operation of one or more motion picture exhibition facilities. A Regular Member can be a private and public sector (non-military) non-profit business entity in the United States of America and its Territories. A Regular Member must exhibit DCP-encrypted movies authorized with a key (KDM) and/or exhibit movies via film (35mm or 70mm), in one or more fixed locations built for the purpose of motion picture exhibition.

Membership Categories and Dues Structure

NATO’s dues structure is divided into the following four membership categories. Dues are assessed annually. NATO’s fiscal year runs from 1-July to 30-June.

U.S. Domestic The 50 united states and the District of Columbia. Dues are $60 per screen, with a minimum dues payment of $200
U.S. Territory Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands. Several legislative issues in the United States affect territories governed by U.S. federal law, therefore NATO’s lobbying efforts affect these cinemas. Dues are $30 per screen, with a minimum dues payment of $200.
Canada Hollywood studios deal with Canadian exhibitors as domestic companies, and the most important issues for U.S. and Canadian exhibitors overlap. Dues are US$27.50 per screen, with a minimum dues payment of $200.
International All countries outside of the U.S. and Canada. Several key issues affect all cinemas on a global level (technology, windows, movie theft, etc.), so worldwide collaboration benefits all members. Annual dues are US$200 for companies operating 1-10 screens, US$500 for companies operating 11-19 screens, US$1,000 for companies operating 20-99 screens, and US$2,000 for companies operating 100 and more screens.