News:

Disney, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal and Paramount sign deal with Irish firm

Ireland's Digital Finance (DFL) has sealed digital cinema roll-out agreements with The Walt Disney Company UK, Paramount Pictures (UK), Twentieth Century Fox, Universal Pictures International UK and Eire.

Digital Finance of Tipperary, Ireland announces the signing of its digital cinema deployment agreements with four major Hollywood Studios. These agreements will enable DFL to facilitate the conversion of cinemas from film to digital projection throughout the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the UK.

Jason Brenek, senior vice president, Worldwide Digital Cinema and Cinema Programming, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, said, “We are thrilled to be working with Kevin Cummins and his colleagues at Digital Finance to enable state-of-the-art digital projection in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the UK. Disney is fully-committed to digital cinema and digital 3D and the highest standards of quality these technologies bring to the consumer. We continue to work closely with exhibitors and leading manufacturers to make the transition as smooth and cost effective as possible.”

Roger Pollock, Paramount Pictures’ executive vice president, International Distribution & Operations said: “Digital cinema is the future of our industry and we’re delighted to be working with Digital Finance Ltd. to place Ireland at the forefront of this technology. This is an important step to accelerate the digital conversion and the 3D footprint in the region. We look forward to supplying our movies to this new digital platform and giving moviegoers the highest quality cinema experience available.”

Julian Levin, executive vice president for Digital Exhibition at Twentieth Century Fox commented, “We are delighted to have closed this deal with DFL. The conversion to a digital projection platform from conventional 35mm film will offer movie goers an enhanced viewing experience in 2D and 3D. We look forward to working with Kevin and everyone at DFL in bringing the conversion to fruition.”

Duncan Clark, executive vice president of distribution for Universal Pictures International, said, “We’re pleased to be working with Digital Finance Ltd. in converting cinemas to digital projection. Digital cinema is the future of our business, so it’s important we supply our movies to this new digital platform and enhance the movie experience by giving audiences the highest picture and sound quality possible.”
DFL is underway with the installation of state-of-the art digital projection equipment in both Ireland and the UK, with 65 screens already deployed. With the commitment of Hollywood studios to support this rollout, exhibitors throughout these territories have a unique opportunity to transition to digital cinema.

Kevin Cummins, CEO for Digital Finance, said: “We did our homework and analyzed this area thoroughly. DFL presented a unique model to the studios, and our low overhead allows us to offer the best financing package possible to the exhibitor. The ability to rollout to the entire region of Ireland brings an economy of scale not otherwise possible. We’re very grateful for the support received from our friends at the major Hollywood Studios, and the feedback from our exhibition partners has been tremendous. We also extend our thanks to MKPE Consulting LLC for its help in securing these four agreements."

Exhibitors are offered full site 3D capable projection systems which include a Projector, SMS and TMS. 4K projection systems will be offered when available. Cummins said: “We carefully chose our technology for its quality, maturity, stability, and proven robustness. Our exhibitors demand a high up-time and fast maintenance, as well as flexibility in 3D add-on technologies, and we feel we’ve made the best possible choices.”

DFL will contract with Digital Cinema in Ireland for its installation and maintenance work.

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News:

The Cultural Cinema Consortium announces Cinema Digitisation Scheme

The Cultural Cinema Consortium, a strategic partnership between the Arts Council and Bord Scannán na hÉireann / the Irish Film Board (IFB), has launched a scheme to provide capital funding grants towards the cost of purchasing and installing digital projection equipment.

The purpose of the scheme is to ensure that audiences have access to a range and choice of cinema programming that is more diverse than the mainstream and that Irish cinema operators, offering such programming, have an opportunity to install digital projection equipment at a cost that is compatible with their turnover and operating costs.

Capital grants towards the cost of purchasing and installing digital projection equipment will be made available to full-time cinema operators who can demonstrate that they currently provide a clear majority of diverse programming on a year-round basis. The scheme will offer grants to cover 85% of installation costs for up to ten cinema screens, subject to a maximum contribution of €75,000 per screen.

Simon Perry, Chief Executive of the Irish Film Board, said "It is vital that public funding intervenes to ensure that cinemas offering Irish audiences a wider choice of film, than that available in mainstream commercial cinemas, are not left behind in the digital race".
Fionnuala Sweeney, Head of Film and International Arts at the Arts Council, said "The Arts Council is delighted to be offering this grant scheme in partnership with the Irish Film Board, through the Cultural Cinema Consortium. It will help arthouse cinemas play their part in the digital age and ensure that Irish audiences have access to a diverse range of cinema programming."

Further details on the scheme are available on the websites of the Irish Film Board and the Arts Council.

Cinema Digitisation Scheme