Digital conversion for independent cinemas 'most important change in 100 years'
Over 700 independent cinemas across Australia and New Zealand will make the switch to digital – in what the Independent Cinema Association of Australia (ICAA) is calling “the most important change in cinema exhibition in 100 years”.
The move will see Omnilab Media supply participating ICAA members with a digital cinema system at a reduced cost, provide a digital distribution platform as well as manage and administer the virtual print fee.
Christopher Mapp, Omnilab Media MD, said: “The conversion from film to digital projection offers audiences a genuinely new level of quality cinema viewing. It offers cinemas incredible flexibility in programming and the opportunity to screen new content such as live sporting events and concerts.”
Omnilab will also install a digital download satellite link to each location.
Mark Sarfaty, ICAA CEO said“The outcome of this agreement between ICAA and Omnilab Media is a 10 year turn-key digital solution which has at its heart the best interests of independent cinemas,” said Mark Sarfaty, ICAA CEO. “ICAA is very pleased to have come to an agreement with Omnilab Media, one of Australia’s most innovative digital media companies, in their entry into the digital cinema environment.”
ICAA President Kieren Dell described the six year negotiation process as long and tedious and said “today’s announcement provides an easy path to digital conversion for independent cinemas in Australia and in New Zealand”.
“Digital cinema conversion is the most important change in exhibition in 100 years. The process of negotiation has been slow and difficult over the past six years; today’s announcement provides an easy path to digital conversion for independent cinemas in Australia and in New Zealand,” said ICAA President and NSW regional cinemas operator
For more information see the ICAA website
