French cinemaadmissions in March hit 15.47 million, a gain of 3.4% compared with the samemonth last year.

However according to data from the Centre National dela Cinematographie (CNC) the total for a rolling 12month period was down by 3.2% at 178.8 million, compared with 184.8 million.

The CNC data also showed that for first quarter of2003 was 10.9% down on the first quarter of 2002, confirming earlier forecastsfrom the Federation National des Cinemas Francais(FNCF) (April 7).

Market share for local French films in the firstquarter was 41.1% compared with 51.8% in the same period last year. Twelvemonth figures for local market share also dipped slightly from 44.5% to 42.3%.