The UK box office total for the period Jan - Aug 2010 was 8% ahead of the corresponding period for 2009, according to figures released today by the Film Distributors’ Association (FDA).

At an event hosted by the FDA in London this morning UK distributors launched their compilation trailer for autumn 2010 and the FDA discussed its autumn release campaign and the UK box office performance to date this year.

Despite a drastic dip during the world cup month of June, the 374 films released during the first eight months of 2009 generated £786m. 3-D releases Toy Story 3, Alice in Wonderland and Shrek Forever After were major factors in ensuring that 2009 continued to see growth, with the three films accounting for £143m, almost 20%of the total UK box office for films released this year.

Toy Story 3 has been seen by more than ten million people in the UK and is the second biggest film ever at the local box office.

Over 100 films are due to be released in the period Oct – Dec 2010, including 13 3-D releases. The much anticipated Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part One, which hits screens in November, is the first in the Potter franchise to be released in 3-D. Other 3-D releases include: The Hole, Saw VII, Jackass 3D, Despicable Me, Megamind, Tron: Legacy, True Legend, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole,The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Gulliver’s Travels, Animals United, Alpha & Omega.

Lord Puttnam CBE, president FDA, said: “It’s truly exciting to see filmmakers of the calibre of Michael Apted, Anton Corbijn, David Fincher, John Landis, Mike Leigh, Oliver Stone and Tony Scott behind the cameras of the new season’s excellent line-up. The cinema is where every movie comes to life to its fullest effect each week in cities and communities across the UK. The autumn is often when award contenders for the following year begin to emerge, so let’s enjoy trying to identify the runners and riders throughout the season.”

FDA chief executive Mark Batey added: “It has been a good year so far. The box office bounced back strongly in July. It really has been the era of digital and the era of 3-D. 3-D has come good and audiences have lapped it up.”

The FDA’s autumn campaign includes their online and in cinema trailer, a five-minute ‘vodcast’ showcasing highlights of the line-up from the October half-term through to Christmas, and monthly podcasts.