PRESS RELEASE
This afternoon in Kuurne, Belgium, MEDIA
Salles opened the third edition of “DigiTraining Plus: New Technologies
for European Cinemas”. “This is the only training initiative
out of the approximately 60 supported by the European Union’s MEDIA
Programme to deal with the topic of new technologies from the point of
view of exhibitors”, stated Mike Vickers, Treasurer of MEDIA Salles,
in his welcoming speech. Co-financed by the Italian Government, the course
is being held at the headquarters of Barco, a company of worldwide importance
in the production of digital projectors.
Around forty exhibitors and professional operators from the cinema industry
from fifteen countries ranging from Portugal to Slovakia, from Norway
to Bulgaria, are taking part in the course.
What they have in common is “the need to update our knowledge on
the transition from film to digital projection, which, in the near future,
will become reality for all cinemas”, says the Spanish Enrique Martinez,
Technical Director of Yelmo Cineplex.
From now until 9 April the programme will bring together lessons of a
more theoretical nature with the analysis of significant cases presented
by exhibition companies who have already adopted the new technologies.
Today work started out from a “photograph” of the offer of
digital screening worldwide. At the end of 2005 – according to the
figures periodically recorded by MEDIA Salles in the “European Cinema
Yearbook” – the screens equipped with DLP CinemaTM technology
numbered 591, of which 194 were in Europe. And Europe is the continent
that, in the second half of 2005, recorded the biggest growth (+86.5%),
far greater than the world average (+52%)”, commented Elisabetta
Brunella, Secretary General of MEDIA Salles, when presenting the new issue
(no. 1/2006) of the Newsletter “European Cinema Journal”.
An issue devoted to digital screening, in which three themes in particular
are dealt with – transmission of content, audio systems and the
marketing of digital theatres – with an eye both to the course participants’
needs and to readers: both demand clear and concise information. To provide
figures and information, give clear explanations, supply the tools allowing
each exhibitor to evaluate the advisability of changing over to digital:
these are the aims of the course.
“As well as this – stated Stephan Paridaen, President of Barco
Media & Entertainment – “DigiTraining Plus” is an
excellent opportunity for us to listen to the needs of European exhibitors
and also to share our experiences – gained over time from existing
digital cinema owners – on how to build a successful digital cinema
business”.
Course
programme
"European
Cinema Journal" no. 1/2006
MEDIA Salles, a project
operating within the framework of the European Union's MEDIA Programme,
with the support of the Italian Government, fosters theatrical
distribution of European audiovisual products, both by high profile campaigns
involving Europe's cinema exhibitors and by initiatives to raise the visibility
of European productions with industry players and potential audiences,
creating specialized information channels on a global scale. Thus the
current initiatives from MEDIA Salles dovetail in a program with a triple
focus – training, promotion and information – and maximum
combined effect.
MEDIA Salles
Via Soperga, 2 – I-20127 Milan
Tel.: +39.02.66984405 – Fax: +39.02.6691574
E-mail: infocinema@mediasalles.it
Website: www.mediasalles.it
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