March 1, 2010

The Big Picture

Have We Turned That Corner?

By Nick Dager

For years now people involved in exhibition have been gathering at various industry events expecting to hear that the Digital Cinema Implementation Partners finally have their funding and will finally begin to convert the three largest movie chains in the world to digital cinema. And for years, at every event, the word has been that the funding is just around the corner. Now comes ShoWest 2010, which is being held later this month in Las Vegas and the chances are good that the news from DCIP will again be some variation of just around the corner. Yet despite that, many people are ready to pronounce the digital rollout all but over. What am I missing?

Feature Stories

Guest Column

Year 11 and We’re Still Talking About Rollout

By Michael Karagosian

Eleven years have passed since the first public introduction of digital cinema at ShoWest. The industry has since come a long way…and it has still a long way to go. With nearly 100 percent worldwide digital screen growth in 2009, and with the three major circuits in the US set to rollout in 2010, one might get the sense that digital cinema is on a roll. While the US is on track to convert approximately 50 percent of its screens, there is still the remaining 50 percent to think about, as well as the rest of the world.

Coming Soon

Catalyst Award

The winner of Digital Cinema Report’s first Catalyst Award will be named at ShoWest 2010.

Complete story in our next edition

News Stories

Shyama Released with New Digital Distribution Strategy

Obhi Chatterjee’s widescreen feature film Shyama brings Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s classic Bengali dance musical to a global audience for the first time with its pioneering digital distribution strategy. The film, its soundtrack album and related books are all released by Inner Eye under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence, allowing personal copying and sharing. Shyama is also free online using the Java-based technology of Forbidden Technologies plc. The HD version, suitable for home screenings, is available worldwide using IndieFlix’ online VoD rental platform.

RealD Works with LegoLand California to Bring 3D to Theme Park Guests

LegoLand California In its first alliance with a theme park, RealD and LegoLand, California have partnered to present the LegoLand 4D presentations Spellbreaker 4D and Lego Racers 4D at the theme park’s Show Place Theater.

Study Says Movies Were Popular UK Valentine’s Day Choice

According to research from Harris Interactive and media house Digital Cinema Media 16-24-year-olds are twice as likely to go to the movies as the rest of the UK population. The study estimated that moviegoers in this age group were twice as likely as the rest of the UK population to see a film on Valentine’s Day and 51 percent would go with their girlfriend or boyfriend.

EIB to Lend up to EUR 65 million to XDC for its European Digitization Rollout Plans

The European Investment Bank will grant financing of up to EUR 65 million to XDC in the framework of the financing structured by BNP Paribas Fortis to contribute to its digitization rollout plans in Europe.

CineMec XL Boasts of the Largest 3D Screen in Holland

With a seating capacity for 1,050 people, CineMec XL has a 20-meter by 8.10-meter silver screen and two Christie digital projectors and has established itself as one of the leading digital 3D cinemas in Holland.

Arthouse Marketing Group Joins the Cinema Advertising Council

Arthouse Marketing Group has become the newest member of the Cinema Advertising Council.

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