Norway Paves The Way For First Nordic Full Digital Multiplex

Oslo municipal cinemas inaugurated last Friday the first newly built 100% digital multi-screen in the Nordic countries, the six screen ‘Ringen' theatre with half of the halls equipped with digital 3D.

"This is a breakthrough for digitalisation and a milestone which shows that we are heading towards a new technological era," said Lene Løken, head of Norwegian cinema association Film & Kino. "I'm also very pleased with the opening of the Ringen Cinema because it drastically increases the screen capacity in Oslo which in turn increases the capacity for import and overall film availability in Norway. We want to see a better rotation of film premieres. This will notably offer smaller films a better place on Norwegian screens," said Løken.

Ringen has a total seating capacity of 925. All screening rooms have digital sound and images, which means that film prints do not get damaged with time.

Last weekend, some 9,000 film lovers flocked into Ringen to see Kurt Turns Evil, Mummin and Midsummer Madness, the Golden Palm winner The Class, Quantum of Solace, Mamma Mia, Wall E, W and Journey to the Centre of the Earth in 3D.

Oslo Municipal Cinemas (Oslo Kino) operates seven movie theatres in the city of Oslo. For the Norwegian government digitization of cinemas is one of the top priorities for 2009 and the national roll out, orchestrated by Film & Kino with support from the state and film distributors, will most certainly become a reality in the spring of next year, according to Film & Kino's digital expert Jørgen Stensland.

Sweden which is following Norway closely on the Digital switch wagon will launch its first 3D digital screening this weekend (November 28-29) in Stockholm, Göteborg, and Malmö with the filmed U2 concert in 3D. Folkets Hus och Parker is bringing the innovative technological experience to Swedish audiences.