"Our family and our staff have been deeply saddened, like all Australians and many people around the world, by the bushfires ravaging our country," Peter Howard said.

"The loss of lives, wildlife, homes and land is heart-breaking, and our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted.

"We're in a fortunate position to be able to use the popularity of movie-going to help provide relief, and are pleased to be able to support this initiative of the Australian film industry which will include cinemas from the largest city multiplexes to the smallest regional single-screen locations.

"'We hope that people come out this Sunday to see one of the great summer movies we're screening at the moment, and feel extra good about this visit to the cinema knowing a portion of their ticket price will be helping their fellow Australians in real need.

"We'll be making sure there's something for all members of the family to enjoy, with films rated from G all the way to MA15+."

This fundraiser is in addition to an independently organised initiative that Howard Cinemas undertook in mid-December, where screenings of family film, Playing With Fire in Taree and Tuncurry raised $800.

The money was split between the Tuncurry and Taree RFS brigades.

The Howard family will be splitting this Sunday's proceeds between three charities: Salvation Army Bushfire Appeal - providing immediate emotional and material support to firefighters, volunteers and evacuees; Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery - supporting thousands of people in evacuation centres and recovery hubs across the country, and the RSPCA Bushfire Appeal - protecting animals in threatened or affected areas and long-term rescue and rehabilitation efforts

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