CEA and UK Film Council announce digital roadshows for exhibitors
Digital roadshows to raise awareness and understanding amongst the exhibition sector of issues around digital cinema.
The Cinema Exhibitors' Association and the UK Film Council, working with Screen Digest, have today announced a UK-wide programme of digital roadshows to raise awareness and understanding amongst the exhibition sector of issues around digital cinema.
The events, which will run from April – June at eleven digitally-equipped venues across the country, will provide an overview of the financial, operational and technical issues around digital cinema operation and allow those attending to hear first-hand experience from colleagues on the opportunities and challenges presented by conversion from 35mm technology.
A number of the events will also focus on aspects of digital 3D cinema, interest in which has been boosted recently by the success of titles such as My Bloody Valentine and Bolt and anticipation of the upcoming Monsters vs Aliens.
The roadshows will be open to all UK exhibitors, including commercial and specialist cinemas, arts venues and film societies.
Announcing the proposed events, CEA Chief Executive Phil Clapp said:
"I am hugely grateful to colleagues at the UK Film Council and Screen Digest for their willingness to work with us and share their expertise. I see the roadshow events as an important opportunity for the wider exhibition sector to learn more and to discuss the key issues around digital cinema.
"It seems clear that the current transition to digital is only likely to gather pace in the future. It is vital therefore that all exhibitors are armed with the facts to enable them to decide whether they want to make that change, and if so, on what timescale. In order that all can make informed business decisions, we need to ensure that as much objective information as possible has been made available."
Commenting on the desire to involve as wide a range of exhibitors as possible, Peter Buckingham, Head of Distribution and Exhibition at the UK Film Council, added:
"The transition to digital cinema technology will impact at some point on everyone who currently exhibits films or wishes to do so in the future. Everyone shares the same issue here, no matter what type of venue or type of programme. Namely, how is the switch from 35mm to digital going to benefit their operations, and crucially how will it be funded. It is therefore vital that as many as possible working in this part of the sector fully understand the financial and operational implications.
"We hope these events will provide a key opportunity for exhibitors and anyone working in this sector to engage with those who have first-hand experience of what it means to 'go digital'."
Download the
Digital Roadshow Application Form for full details of the events and information on how to attend.
Dates and Venues
Dates and venues for the events are as follows. All events will begin at 10.00am and finish by 3.00pm.
Date | Venue | Address |
Monday 27 April | Cornerhouse, Manchester | 70 Oxford Street Manchester M1 5NH |
Tuesday 28 April | Vue, Hull* | Princes Quay Kingston-Upon-Hull HU1 2PQ |
Wednesday 29 April | Arts Picturehouse, Cambridge | 38-39 St Andrew's Street Cambridge CB2 3AR |
Friday 1 May | Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle | 10 Pilgrim Street Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6QG |
Thursday 7 May | Glasgow Film Theatre | 12 Rose Street Glasgow G3 6RB |
Wednesday 13 May | Cineworld, Cardiff | Mary Ann Street Cardiff CF10 2EN |
Friday 15 May | Watershed, Bristol | 1 Canon's Road, Harbourside Bristol BS1 5TX |
Monday 1 June | Light House, Wolverhampton | The Chubb Buildings Fryer Street Wolverhampton WV1 1HT |
Wednesday 3 June | Queen's Film Theatre, Belfast | Queen's University of Belfast Culture & Arts Division 20 University Square Belfast Northern Ireland BT7 1PA |
Thursday 4 June | Odeon Bayswater, London* | Whiteleys of Bayswater Queensway London W2 4YL |
Monday 8 June | Plaza Cinema, Truro | Lemon Street Truro TR1 2PN |
Exhibitor enquiries
Any queries or questions should be directed to: digitalcinema@cinemauk.org.uk
Media enquiries
For more information, please contact Phil Clapp / James Bird at the CEA on Tel: 020 7734 9551 or email: digitalcinema@cinemauk.org.uk
Or Caroline Nagle at the UK Film Council on Tel: 020 7861 7508, email caroline.nagle@ukfilmcouncil.org.uk
Notes to Editors
Cinema Exhibitors' Association (CEA)
The CEA is the trade association for UK cinema exhibition. It represents the interests of around 90 per cent of UK cinema operators by number and market share, with membership ranging from single screen/owner managed sites to the largest circuit and multiplex operators.
UK Film Council
The UK Film Council is the Government-backed strategic agency for film in the UK. It aims to stimulate a successful, vibrant film industry and to promote the widest possible enjoyment and understanding of cinema throughout the UK.
Digital cinema
The production and distribution of films in the UK is currently predominantly via 35mm prints, which are expensive to produce and to transport. Digital technology offers the opportunity for the distributor to produce and 'transport' copies around the country (on digital file and potentially via the internet or satellite) at a significant cost saving.
The advent of digital cinema offers the opportunity to enhance the cinema-going experience in terms of picture quality, more diverse programming and in offering audiences the chance to experience cutting-edge digital 3D projection and access to so-called 'alternative content' – live music and cultural and sporting events.
Digital cinema in the UK is now starting to take hold, with the establishment of the UK Film Council-funded Digital Screen Network comprising 240 screens across the country and a number of operators testing and installing their own digital projection equipment. The key stumbling block to further roll-out remains funding, where discussions between studios/distributors and exhibitors are ongoing.
