GBP12 Million Cinema-Going Revolution Begins in UK as Cinemas Turn Digital

GBP12 Million Cinema-Going Revolution Begins in UK as Cinemas Turn Digital

LONDON, May 26/PRNewswire/ --

- World-first Digital Screen Network Will Massively Increase Choice of Films on Offer to British Audiences

The choice of films on offer to UK cinema-goers is to be massively increased from later this year thanks to the creation of the world's first 'Digital Screen Network' involving more than 200 cinemas across the country, the UK Film Council announced today.

A total of GBP11.7 million from the UK Film Council's share of National Lottery funding is to be used to install state-of-the-art digital film projectors and related equipment in 209 cinemas across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with the first cinemas in the network programming screenings later this year.

In return for the new equipment, the cinemas, which range from smaller local and 'art-house' cinemas to multiplexes, have committed to providing more screening time to showing a greater selection of more specialised (i.e. non-Hollywood), classic, and foreign language movies. As a result more people will be able to see critically acclaimed films such as British multiple award winners Touching the Void and Vera Drake, House of Flying Daggers, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Downfall, Motorcycle Diaries and Dear Frankie.

The introduction of digital distribution will mean that films such as these will reach around 30 million people throughout the UK with an increase in specialised film screenings of up to 75,000 in the first year alone, rising to 165,000 in four years from now. The overall number of cinema visits in the UK could be raised by up to 4 million, thanks to the more diverse range of films available to audiences.

As well increasing the screen time available to non-Hollywood films, providing films in a digital format will mean that distributors can make more copies available more quickly to a larger number of cinemas.

Currently, the cost of producing prints of a specialised film for distribution to cinemas can be anywhere in the region of GBP1,500 per 35mm print, which can often limit the number of available copies of a film which often has a potentially wide appeal, and therefore the film receives a limited release and fails to reach a wide enough audience. In addition to art-house and foreign language films, British produced movies can also suffer in this way. In contrast, films can be duplicated in a digital format at a substantially lower cost allowing film companies to increase the number of film prints available to cinemas.

The Digital Screen Network will also offer audiences and local communities a range of other benefits, as cinemas will be encouraged to use the equipment to show, for example, films made by local filmmakers, film clubs and schools.

Announcing details of the network John Woodward, the UK Film Council's Chief Executive Officer said that the Digital Screen Network will change the face of cinema-going right across the UK.

"This initiative is a world first for the UK and is a hugely exciting and significant development for British cinema and cinema-goers. Nearly 20 years ago the introduction of multiplexes transformed the choice of mainstream films on offer to cinema-goers at any one time. We believe that the Digital Screen Network could increase the opportunities on offer for people to see more specialised films in the same way."

Welcoming the move, James Purnell MP, Minister for Film said: "Many cinema goers often only get the pick of a crop of big budget blockbuster films, particularly outside London. That is going to change.

"The groundbreaking digital network will give film fans more choice - they'll get to see more British, critically acclaimed and small budget films, alongside classics on the big screen, where they belong."

In addition to the awards to 209 cinemas, a further 83 cinemas have been offered the option of buying in to the services provided by the Digital Screen Network and its management company Arts Alliance Digital Cinema. These cinemas will be able to benefit from a wide range of services such as training, installation of equipment and maintenance.

Notes to Editors:

1) A full list of the 209 cinemas is below.

2) The assessment process was conducted by UK Film Council executives, external advisors who are experts in their own fields and was rigorously monitored by independent assessors to maintain correct codes of practice.

3) Cinemas awarded by type:

Sites awarded Screens awarded By cinema type: Mainstream independents 31 31 Multiplexes 129 141 Specialised 49 66 Total awards: 209 238

4) UK Film Council - Film is a rich and popular part of our culture. It also makes a significant contribution to the UK economy with an estimated annual turnover of GBP5 billion. The industry employs 57,000 people across the UK.

Cinema is this country's most popular and powerful form of entertainment. In 2004 there were 171 million visits to the cinema in the UK, the second highest for 30 years. British films are watched by millions of people around the world promoting Britain abroad and boosting tourism.

As the lead agency for film, the UK Film Council aims to stimulate a competitive, successful and vibrant UK film industry and culture, both now and for the future.

For this reason, we use National Lottery support to develop new filmmakers, fund exciting new British films such as Touching the Void and Vera Drake and give audiences the opportunity to see a wider choice of films such as The Motorcycle Diaries and The House of Flying Daggers.

The UK Film Council also helps to promote Britain as a filmmaking location and to raise the profile of British films abroad.

Cinema Operator Arts Picturehouse Cambridge City Screen Limited Barbican Barbican Centre Brewery Arts Centre Kendal Brewery Arts Centre Trust Ltd Broadway Cinema Letchworth Broadway Cinema Ltd Broadway Cinema Nottingham Broadway Media Centre Carlton Cinema Westgate on Sea Reeltime Cinemas Ltd Chelsea Cinema Artificial Eye (Chelsea Cinema Ltd) Cineworld Ashford Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Ashton under Lyne Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Bexleyheath Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Bishops Stortford Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Bradford Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Braintree Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Burton on Trent Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Bury St Edmunds Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Castleford Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Cheltenham Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Chesterfield Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Chichester Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Didcot Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Falkirk Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Feltham Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Huntingdon Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Ilford Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Llandudno Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Luton Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Milton Keynes Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Newport Isle of Wight Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Rugby Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Runcorn Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Shrewsbury Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Solihull Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld St Helens Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Stevenage Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Sunderland Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Swindon Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Wakefield Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Wandsworth Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Weymouth Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Wolverhampton Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Wood Green Cine-UK Ltd Cineworld Yeovil Cine-UK Ltd City Screen York City Screen Limited Clapham Picturehouse City Screen Limited Cornerhouse Manchester Cornerhouse Curzon Cinema Loughborough Curzon Cinemas Ltd Curzon Mayfair Curzon Cinemas Limited Curzon Soho Curzon Cinemas Limited David Lean Cinema - Croydon Clocktower David Lean Cinema Dorset Film Touring, Cinemobile Dorset Film Touring Ltd Everyman Cinema Club Everyman Cinema Club Filmhouse Edinburgh Filmhouse Genesis Cinema, Mile End Genesis Entertainment Ltd Glasgow Film Theatre Glasgow Film Theatre Greenwich Picturehouse City Screen Limited Harbour Lights Picturehouse, Southampton City Screen Limited ICA Cinema ICA Cinema Kino, Hawkhurst Kino Holdings Ltd Leeds (The Light ) Ster Century Ster Century (UK) Limited Light House Wolverhampton Light House Media Centre Macrobert, Stirling macrobert Majestic Cinema Kings Lynn C & R Cinemas Ltd Metro Cinema Derby Metro Cinema National Film Theatre London British Film Institute New Picture House, St. Andrews New Picture House (St Andrews) Ltd Odeon Chelmsford Odeon Cinemas Ltd Odeon Colchester Odeon Cinemas Ltd Odeon Covent Garden Odeon Cinemas Ltd Odeon Guildford Odeon Cinemas Ltd Odeon Kingston Upon Thames Odeon Cinemas Ltd Odeon Lincoln Odeon Cinemas Ltd Odeon Panton Street London Odeon Cinemas Ltd Odeon Southend Odeon Cinemas Ltd Odeon Tunbridge Wells Odeon Cinemas Ltd Odeon Wimbledon Odeon Cinemas Ltd Orpheus Cinema Bristol Reeltime Cinemas Ltd Parkway Cinema Cleethorpes Parkway Entertainment Company Limited Pavilion Cinema Galashiels Andrew Poole Peckham Multiplex Movieshack Ltd Pendle Stairway Cinema Pendle Stairway Cinema Perth Playhouse Caledonian Cinemas, Cairnstar Limited Phoenix Arts Leicester Phoenix Arts Phoenix Cinema London Phoenix Cinema Trust Ltd Phoenix Picturehouse, Oxford City Screen Limited Picture House Cinema Keighley Northern Morris Associated Cinemas Plaza Cinema Dorchester Reeltime Cinemas Ltd Plaza Cinema Skipton Northern Morris Associated Cinemas Plymouth Arts Centre Plymouth Arts Centre Regal Cinema Melton Mowbray Regal Cinema Renoir Cinema Artificial Eye (Renoir Cinema Ltd) Rich Mix Cinema, Bethnal Green Rich Mix Cultural Foundation Rio Cinema Dalston The Rio Centre (Dalston) Ltd Ritzy Cinema Brixton City Screen Limited Romford (The Brewery) Ster Century Ster Century (UK) Limited Roxy Cinema Oldham Roxy Cinema Ltd Royal Cinema St Ives Merlin Cinemas Limited Royalty Cinema Bowness Northern Morris Associated Cinemas Screen at Reigate Bloom Theatres Ltd Screen On The Green Bloom Theatres Ltd Screen on the Hill Bloom Theatres Ltd Showcase Teesside National Amusements (UK) Ltd Showcase Walsall National Amusements (UK) Ltd Showroom Cinema Sheffield Showroom Cinema Stamford Arts Centre Stamford Arts Centre The Aldeburgh Cinema The Aldeburgh Cinema Limited The Barn Cinema Dartington Dartington Arts - a department of The Dartington Hall Trust The Cameo Edinburgh City Screen Limited The Capitol Horsham Horsham District Council The Corn Exchange Newbury The Corn Exchange Trust (Newbury) The Courtyard, Hereford The Courtyard Trust The Curzon Community Cinema Clevedon The Curzon Community Cinema Ltd The Duke of York's Picturehouse Brighton City Screen Limited The Dukes, Lancaster The Dukes The Gate Cinema, Notting Hill City Screen Limited The Grosvenor Cinema Glasgow The Grosvenor Cinema The Other Cinema City Screen Limited The Palace Cinema Malton Ryedale Entertainments Ltd The Plaza Cinema Truro The Capitol, St Austell Ltd The Ritz (Belper) The Ritz The Screen at Oxted Bloom Theatres Ltd The Screen at Winchester Mainline Pictures Ltd Theatr Mwldan Theatr Mwldan Tyneside Cinema Tyneside Film Theatre Trust UCI Cardiff United Cinemas International (UK) Limited UCI Greenwich United Cinemas International (UK) Limited UCI Hatfield United Cinemas International (UK) Limited UCI High Wycombe United Cinemas International (UK) Limited UCI Maidenhead United Cinemas International (UK) Limited UCI Norwich United Cinemas International (UK) Limited UCI Port Solent, Portsmouth United Cinemas International (UK) Limited UCI Printworks, Manchester United Cinemas International (UK) Limited UCI Surrey Quays United Cinemas International (UK) Limited UCI Whiteleys United Cinemas International (UK) Limited UGC Aberdeen Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Bedford Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Birmingham Broad Street Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Boldon Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Bolton Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Brighton Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Cardiff Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Chelsea Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Chester Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Crawley Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Didsbury Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Dundee Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Eastbourne Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Edinburgh Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Enfield Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Fulham Road Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Glasgow Renfrew Street Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Gloucester Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Harlow Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Haymarket Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Hull Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Ipswich Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Liverpool Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Middlesbrough Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Newport Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Northampton Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Nottingham Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Rochester Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Shaftesbury Avenue Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Sheffield Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Slough Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Staples Corner Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Stockport Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC West India Quay Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) UGC Wigan Cine-UK Ltd (UGC) Vue Acton Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Basingstoke Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Belfast Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Birmingham Star City Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Blackburn Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Bristol Longwell Green Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Bury Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Carlisle Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Cheshire Oaks Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Croydon Purley Way Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Dagenham Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Doncaster Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Finchley North Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Finchley Road Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Fulham Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Hamilton Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Harrow Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Hartlepool Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Inverness Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Islington Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Leeds Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Leicester Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Livingston Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Newcastle Under Lyme Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Plymouth Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Preston Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Reading Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Scunthorpe Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Shepherds Bush Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Southport Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Staines Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Thanet Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Thurrock Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Watford Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue West End Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Vue Worcester Vue Entertainment Holdings (UK) Ltd Watershed Cinema Bristol Watershed Media Centre Wells Film Centre Wells Entertainment West End Cinema, Boston Savoy Cinemas (Boston) Ltd Wotton Electric Picture House Wotton Electric Picture House Ltd Zeffirellis Ambleside Zeffirellis

www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk

Source: UK Film Council

Ian Thomson/Caroline Nagle, UK Film Council Press Office, T: +44-207-861-7901/7508/7861, E: press@ukfilmcouncil.org.uk

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