Major Digital Cinema Talks in Oslo

Film & Kino is hosting a two-day conference in Oslo between April 7-8 about Digital Cinema. "We are planning for a big digital rollout in 2009, so it is important for cinema managers to be updated on what's going on in D cinema, domestically and internationally," stressed Lene Løken, head of the Norwegian cinema association Film & Kino.

Digitization of cinemas is one of the key priorities for Film & Kino. Unlike in the other Nordic countries, D cinema conversion is not a medium term but short term plan which should become reality already next year. Indeed, the unique municipal cinema system allows for faster decision making, with Film & Kino playing a pivotal role in all negotiations between public and private organisations. And as explained by Jørgen Stensland, head of Consultants for Film & Kino, government support is essential to cover a portion of the costs of digital conversion, but also to defend and protect smaller cinemas.

Norway's screen digitization started in 2006 with the launch of the two pilot projects NDA (Nordic Digital Alliance) and NORDIC covering 21 screens in 15 cinemas. NOK 3m were invested for the first phase of the project with funding coming from Film & Kino's Cinema Fund, managing levies on cinema tickets, videos and DVDs.

"The first phase of the project involved technical trials," explained Stensland. "First we decided to establish digital paths, which meant taking a multiplex and installing digital technology in three or four screens only, before converting all screens. We now have one multiplex (Magnus Barfot in Bergen) that has been totally converted to digital."

Phase 2 of the project - involving an extra NOK 5m spend from Film & Kino - was agreed in 2007 and extended until October 2008. The number of cinemas taking part in the switch over to digital has been increased to 20 sites and 36 screens. "Phase two is looking into how smaller cinemas can be hooked on bigger cinemas in terms of organisation, technical aspects and digital knowledge," continued Stensland. "We also investigate alternative content programming such as opera or ballet and want to do trials with satellite screenings. Also, we are in discussions with US studios for them to share the costs of conversion to D cinema. We'd like to agree to a joint-venture so that Film & Kino will pay a share, US studios another share via the VPF (Virtual Print Free) model, and cinemas/municipalities another share. We believe we will have an agreement with US studios in due course this summer," said a confident Stensland.