News – Digital future for UK cinema

The new Digital Screen Network plan, a Lottery-funded scheme to extend the range of films available to UK audiences, will see an investment of up to £13m in state of the art digital projection equipment at around 200 screens in 150 cinemas across the UK ? approximately one quarter of the total. In return, cinemas will be asked to commit to using the new technology to show a broader range of films on a regular basis, giving more people the chance to see films that might otherwise fail to achieve general release.
They will also be encouraged to use the equipment to benefit the local community, by showing films made by local filmmakers, film clubs and schools. The digital system will enable them to project subtitles and a descriptive audio track will enable visually-impaired audiences to enjoy the films. The scheme is a key part of the UK Film Council?s strategy to boost audience choice by improving the distribution of specialised films in the UK, which is one of the most expensive countries in the world in which to release a film. All types of full-time licensed cinemas from across the UK are eligible to apply to become part of the new network which will be in place by early 2005.
For details, http://www.filmcouncil.org.uk