By contrast, most Western European territories saw smaller increases or overall decreases for the year.

Slovakia had a notable 22.8 percent rise in admissions, at 5.7 million, and a 22.3 percent rise in box office, at 29 m EUR. The share of national films remained steady, at 6.6 percent.

The Czech Republic had similarly remarkable numbers, with a 20.6 percent rise in admissions, to 15.6 million, and a 20.5 percent rise in box office to 2.01 billion EUR with national films reclaiming their popularity at 29.5 percent of the market.

Other CEE territories were not far behind, notably Poland and Romania. Poland had a 16.6 percent increase in admissions and 17.6 increase in box office, with a strong 25 percent market share for domestic films. Romania had a 16.7 percent rise in admissions (13 m) and similar rise in box office (241.6 m EUR), but only a 3.5 percent share for domestic films. Lithuania was also in double digits, with admissions up 10.1 percent (3.7 m) and box office up 15.2 percent (17.7 m EUR), with domestic films enjoying a healthy 19 percent share of the market. Slovenia followed, with an 11.5 percent increase in admissions (5.7 m) and 14.7 percent rise in box office (29 m EUR)

Croatia, Estonia, Latvia and Bulgaria had box office increases that ranged from 9.1 percent to 3.7 percent and national market shares of 3.2 to 10.7 percent.

Outside of the EU, Georgia made strides to improve its still dire situation. Admissions rose by 59.7 percent to reach 1.1 million, with box office growing 46.4 percent, to 9.7 m EUR.