Austriancinemas are set to post an increase of 10-11% in admissions and gross boxoffice this year, according to Kurt Kaufmann of the exhibitors association FLA.

Whilethe industry was unlikely to repeat the "miracle year of 2004" when19.38m tickets were sold, there were hopes that this year could see totaladmissions approach those of 2003 (17.71m).

Thiswould be in stark contrast to the situation 12 months ago when admissions hadplummeted year-on-year by 19% to 15.72m.

The cinemashad benefited this year from a "wide range of good films" and fromthe fact that the inclement weather during the summer months had sent peopleinto the cinemas.

Topreleases included Ice Age 2, Pirates of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, TheDa Vinci Code, and Perfume, while the latest James Bond film Casino Royale has already taken over $4.2m (Euros 3.2m) in its first two weeks ofrelease.