MINDSHARE THEATREWORLD EDITORIAL
Issue # 78 June-August 2017
At the start of the year, Samsung’s new cinema LED concept gives goosebumps to the projection and screen makers of the world. Yes, the Samsung Electronics premieres the theatre of the future with its latest New Cinema Screen technology, which takes the cinema exhibition eco-system by storm. Samsung, a new entrant in full-scale cinema exhibition, has partnered with GDC Technology, whose integrated media block is being used in the display. GDC also plans to offer an 8K premium large format system using Samsung’s technology. Samsung had entered into a definitive agreement with Harman last year to acquire the latter. After floating Atmos successfully, Dolby comes with a new series of multichannel amplifier and loud speaker system SLS Express Series. The Dolby Multichannel Amplifier is available in 24 and 32 channels. In India, demonetization is fading into history as cinemas are back to business with several blockbusters. Baahubali, the “made in India” movie created a huge impact at national and international box-office. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion turned out to be one of India’s biggest blockbusters, crossing INR 1500 cr collections at the box-office. The movie has set a new benchmark for Indian cinema. Meanwhile, Aamir Khan’s Dangal went on to become the highest-grossing Indian movie in China, which is yet to feel the Baahubali impact. As GST becomes the most talked about topic affecting India, the Central Government’s announcement of 28% GST on cinema tickets has come as a shocker to the entire industry. Hope the uproar from several associations and celebrities will help bring the percentage figure down in coming days. Our 1st edition of Big Cine Expo was houseful, becoming the world’s second largest expo for cinema exhibition in terms of footfalls. Big Cine Expo 2017 (8-9 August 2017 at Chennai) is poised to be 4 times bigger than the previous year. The two-day event is an interactive and value-added platform for Theatre Owners, Design Consultants, Equipment Manufacturers, System Integrators, Project Management Professionals, Industry Stakeholders and the user community of single-screens, multiplexes and malls in Asia and India. At CineEurope, Barcelona, Spain (19-22 June 2017), the most successful European convention and trade show, TheatreWorld is once again the media partner. See you all soon! Do not forget to pick TheatreWorld magazine copy at the shows. And we look forward to welcoming you to Big Cine Expo 2017! Raghavendra T Editor-Publisher DISCLAIMER - TheatreWorld Magazine does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the quality, accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information, product or service represented within our magazine or web site. The information provided is for knowledge or entertainment purposes only. TheatreWorld Magazine does not endorse or recommend any article, product, service or information found within said articles or advertisements. The views and opinions of the authors who have submitted articles to TheatreWorld Magazine belong to them alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheatreWorld Magazine or its staff.
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Raghavendra T Editor-Publisher +91 9980 208 208 raghav@network208.com
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Authors & Writers Ajay Bijli Asra Shaheen Michael Karagosian
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RNI # KARENG02795/10/1/2002-TC TheatreWorld is a quarterly publication, on the motion picture exhibition industry, for private circulation. It reaches out to subscribers, mainly theatre owners and trade professionals around the world. Additional copies are being promoted at major international industry tradeshows. TheatreWorld seeks the healthy promotion of the theatre industry through dissemination of useful information. Some of the information is compiled from industry sources, trade journals, company brochures for the benefit of readers, especially, theatre owners. TheatreWorld acknowledges with thanks the authors and publishers of these printed materials. Views expressed in the articles are those of the authors and not necessarily of TheatreWorld. TheatreWorld is a trademark under registration. The contents of TheatreWorld are under copyright registration. All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Unsolicited printed material is welcome but no responsibility is undertaken for the same and will not be returned. TheatreWorld does not take responsibility for the absolute accuracy of information published.
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contents
This issue of TW has two sets of page numbers - International pages TW-1 to TW-56 for TW, and India pages TM-1 to TM-42 for TM. TM is inserted between pages TW-50 and TW-51 of TW.
TW-8
SPECIAL STORY TW-23
The Mall of Switzerland
New 'Wave' of Entertainment TW-26
Eddy Duquenne
Creating Customer Value
INSTALLS TW-33
Showcase Cinema de Lux:
A Stunning Cinematic Luxury TW-35
CMX Brickell City Center:
Cinema Dine-in with a Difference TW-38
Suning Cinema:
Ultimate Visual Experience
TW-29
TW-40 Michael's Green Paper TW-42 The 'Flying' Video Wall TW-44 Samsung’s New Cinema Screen
TRADESHOWS
I N S TA L L S
TECHNOLOGY
TW-46 Preview -
Revolutionising Cinema Concepts
TW-49 Preview -
TW-51
F
U T U R E
MBO Cinemas:
R E L E A S E S
SPECIAL FEATURE TM-8
Vaishali Hanumanth
The Woman Who Runs Mysuru’s First Multiplex TM-12
Ajay Bijli’s Overview on
GST
BUSINESS TREND TM-16
Insignia:
INDIA PLEXING
TM-3
TM-26
Miraj Cinemas
Making it Big
An Signature Gourmet Experience TM-22 Designer Talk with
INDIA PLEXING TM-30
PVR Cinemas
Reaches 50 Cities Milestone TM-32
Mona 70mm
The Iconic Legacy Continues TM-36
SPI Cinemas
Expanding its Reach TM-40
PVR Cinemas Unveils
Asia's First Virtual Reality Lounge
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INDIA PLEXING
Ar. Sohil & Mukti Kapadia
TM-34
INOX at R City
Where Technology Meets Opulence
Christie Strengthens Global Cinema Team by Hiring Industry Veteran Christie, the global leader in helping customers create the world's best shared experiences, announced that industry veteran Brian Claypool has returned to the organization to propel the company's continued dominance in the cinematechnology field as VP, Product Management Global Cinema. He will report to Jennifer Smith, Christie's Executive Vice President, Global Market Solutions and Engineering, and be based in Cypress, California. The appointment of Claypool, effective immediately, sees his return to Christie to help direct the creation of advanced products and services that further support Christie's legacy as the leading provider of advanced cinema exhibition technologies and solutions since 1929. Claypool's 25-plus years of experience will strengthen a product and solutions management team that has made Christie the number one choice for an arsenal of cinema technologies, from the street to the screen. "Brian's cinema pedigree is impeccable, since beginning in the industry as a projectionist in the 1980s and successive roles with Lucas film's THX division, Avica Technology, Christie and Barco, Brian has an extensive history being immersed in the technology and business of cinema exhibition," said Jennifer Smith, EVP, Global Market Solutions and Engineering, Christie. "With the primary need among exhibitors being the retention of loyal patrons and the growth of overall audience attendance, Brian will help ensure that Christie's market-leading cinema solutions remain their first choice to achieve this paramount goal," added Smith. Brian returns to Christie and southern California after serving seven years
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Brian Claypool, rejoins Christie as VP, Product Management Global Cinema
abroad, primarily focused on the development of advanced audio technologies for cinema. "The cinema industry is filled with passionate and innovative companies. It has been a privilege working with so many great people. Having the opportunity to come back to the great team at Christie, where the very beginnings of digital cinema were incubated, is a great honor for me. I look forward to helping Christie create technologies and solutions that exploit new ways for exhibitors to connect with their audiences that will create value and growth for decades to come."
James Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment Renews Exclusive Tech Agreement with Christie Christie and James Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment, Inc. have renewed an exclusive, five-year agreement that sees these two industry leaders sharing know-how and ground-breaking technology to propel the future of immersive cinema experiences.
"To push the boundary of digital cinema, one needs visionary, likeminded collaborators and that description fits Christie to a tee, given its long cinema heritage and impressive list of industry 'firsts' in the projection and visual display realms," said James Cameron. "Several years ago we began our relationship, which has worked well, so I'm pleased to be forging ahead again with Christie at my side." Christie will equip Lightstorm with a variety of current and planned projection systems including the first of a new RGB laser projection series now under development - one that boasts much higher efficiencies than lasers utilized in current cinemas. The units will be spread across Cameron's production facilities and come with 24/7 access to the Christie Network Operations Center (NOC), call center support, and replacement parts as per Christie's warranty services to all exhibitors. "Like attracts like and in addition to the latest in projection technologies, Christie is fully committed to sharing our ongoing research and development efforts, including product roadmaps, with our covisionary, Lightstorm, so that its productions will repeat the aweinspiring success of Avatar in the years to come," said Jack Kline, Chairman, President and CEO of all of Christie's operating companies, worldwide. "Lightstorm, and indeed our global exhibitor community, are confident in Christie's ability to deliver a complete cinema experience, encompassing all
white light from multiple combinations of RGB primary color wavelengths to counteract speckle, and which offers a spectacular viewing experience on the Harkness Clarus 170 Digital 3D silver screen in Auditorium 5 of Cinema Sunshine Aira Theatre.
formats, frame rates and light levels, and this agreement is indicative of this confidence." Jon Landau, Academy Awardwinning producer of 'Avatar' and 'Titanic, noted that, "Just as we push innovation with our productions, Christie is continually pushing innovation with their projection technology. Its advances in HDR development, epitomized by the codevelopment of the Dolby Vision projection solution with Dolby, means better in theatre experiences for audiences, which for exhibitors in turn means greater audience satisfaction and more repeat patrons." In exchange for knowledge sharing, equipment and services, Lightstorm will share with Christie its own findings into 3D, HFR and highdynamic range (HDR) enhancements, as well as formatting and color space requirements, for achieving the optimal viewing experience. This knowledge in turn will aid Christie in creating market-leading projectors, media servers and tool kits for a variety of applications including cinema exhibition, location-based entertainment and post-production markets.
Sasaki Kogyo Selects Christie RGB Laser Projection System for its Largest-Screen Theatre Christie announced that Cinema Sunshine Aira Theatre, owned by Sasaki Kogyo Co. Ltd., will deploy the advanced Christie CP42LH RGB laser projection system in April to delight movie-goers wanting the ultimate 3D viewing experience. A state-of-the-art Christie enhanced wavelength diversification (EWD) system, comprising a single 3DLP 4K RGB laser projection head and an EWD laser light farm with fiber-optic
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delivery will be fitted in Auditorium 5 of Cinema Sunshine Aira Theatre. "Sasaki Kogyo is committed to always installing the latest, most innovative technologies and that is why we chose the Christie system, which represents the pinnacle of laser-illuminated projection, as it delivers the brightest images, the truest colors and the most superior 3D movie experience currently available," said Takehiko Sasaki, Executive Vice President, Sasaki. "Xebex is proud to have helped scope out the plan and deliver a superior solution to Cinema Sunshine Aira Theatre," said Akikazu Dempoya, President, Xebex Inc. "The Christie system will illuminate a 16 by 7 meter Cinema Sunshine Aira Theatre screen with 30,000 Lumens," confirmed Susie Beiersdorf, Christie. "We congratulate Sasaki Kogyo and our partner Xebex for choosing this industry-leading product to provide a superior image to their customers." The Cinema Sunshine Aira project will boast nine screens when completed, offering 1,288 seats, with an anticipated annual attendance of 300,000-plus. Auditorium 5 will be premium theatre, aptly named BESTIA, for its delivery of the BEST Immersive Audiovisual experience. A DTS:X immersive sound system from GDC will also be installed. And a 4DX system will also be installed, in Auditorium 6. Anchored by the Christie Freedom laser illumination system, the CP42LH produces a color gamut up to Rec. 2020, which exceeds the DCI P3 color space, making it the most advanced RGB laser cinema projection system available. Christie offers EWD technology, which is a feature that generates
Barco to Install its Laser Fleet Across All Reel Cinemas Screens in Dubai Barco, which has been leading the conversion of digital cinema to laser illumination since 2014, announced another landmark win with Reel Cinemas, the dynamic cinema brand under Emaar Entertainment. Earlier in 2016, Reel Cinemas installed an extensive fleet of Barco flagship laser projectors in The Dubai Mall Cineplex, making it the largest allflagship laser theatre in the world. Following the success of this innovative investment, Reel Cinemas is now adding 19 flagship laser projectors to its portfolio, which Barco Gold Partner CineTech ME JLT will install this year. In addition, Reel Cinemas has invested in Barco Escape, Barco's three-screen panoramic movie theatre. As one of the leading cinema companies in the UAE, Reel Cinemas does its utmost to provide moviegoers with an incomparable cinema experience. That's why, for its projection equipment, we choose nothing but the best. "As part of our continued commitment to provide unparalleled cinematic experiences for our guests, we invest in the most advanced projection technology: Barco flagship laser," said Adon Quinn, Senior Director at Reel Cinemas. "We quickly understood we had made the right choice and are cementing our position as a top provider for cinematic experiences with the additional Barco installations."
CineTech DMCC Middle East & Africa a Shared Vision for Perfection and a Strong Believe in Laser Barco flagship laser projectors Barco flagship laser projectors are designed to deliver brilliant, contrast-rich and super-detailed images to large screens at 4K resolution in 2D and 3D. In combination with Barco Alchemy ICMP, Barco flagship laser projectors can display 4K content at 60 frames per second. Not only are they the brightest projector series on the market, the projectors are also simple to install, operate and maintain. Their laser light source uses 40% less power than xenon lamps and will produce constant illumination for 30,000 hours or more, while cutting operational costs and time by eliminating lamp replacement. "The superior image quality and reliability of this technology was obvious from the start," says Peter Khamas, Managing Director of CineTech DMCC MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA. "Moreover, its seven-year warranty and Service Level Agreement demonstrates Barco's commitment to long-term partnerships." Differentiating their offering even further, Reel Cinemas also chose to invest in the Barco Escape Barco Escape immersive panoramic viewing format. Installed at the largest theatre at The Dubai Mall Cineplex, Barco Escape combines a 170-degree field of view with all of the vivacity and realism of Barco projection technology, giving moviegoers the most immersive, dazzling and realistic cinema experience yet. Barco Escape utilizes Barco Alchemy processing to deliver up to 120 frames per second on each of three screens. Theatres can be built to accommodate the format or easily retrofitted to do so, and are capable of displaying regular movie formats when the Barco Escape setup is not in use. "Earning trust in 2016 from a demanding and innovative customer like Reel Cinemas was extremely fulfilling and a great testimonial to
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Cinema further strengthens its position as the most renowned and forward-thinking cinema exhibitor in Korea, Vietnam and China. The story of Lotte Cinema is filled with superlatives. With over 900 screens in three countries, Lotte Cinema is one of the fastest-growing cinema exhibitors in the APAC region. In Korea, the company - a subsidiary of premium department store Lotte Shopping - operates 105 sites. Its most prominent multiplex the largest in Asia, in fact - features a total of 21 screens and seats 4,615 people.
the superior technology of our flagship laser series. Being able to renew this trust and expand our installation to 19 more screens is very rewarding," says Stijn Henderickx, Barco's Vice President Cinema. "We are honored to be part of Reel Cinemas' plans to elevate cinema to unseen heights and grateful to see that our technology plays a vital role in this endeavor."
Lotte Cinema Illuminates the World’s Biggest Screen with Laser Projection by Barco Digital cinema leader Barco announced the installation of two flagship laser projectors at Lotte World Tower in Seoul, South Korea. Barco's DP4K-60L projectors will illuminate the 34-meter wide screen in Lotte Cinema's Super Plex G theatre, the largest screen on the planet. By choosing the world's brightest cinema projector for the world's biggest cinema screen, Lotte
One of the main attractions in Lotte World Tower will undoubtedly be the Super Plex G theatre, which seats 622 spectators and features the world's biggest cinema screen. It is part of Lotte's Super Plex brand of premium auditoriums, which includes an ultra-wide screen, immersive 3D audio and extra-bright 3D imaging with a 2.4-gain screen. To illuminate the screen, Lotte started operation with four non-Barco xenon projectors since 2014. In 2015, however, the company discovered Barco's flagship laser projectors at the CinemaCon trade fair in Las Vegas (US). After thorough testing, Lotte was convinced by the technology's combination of exceptional image quality, simplified operations and reduced operating expenses. Since then, the exhibitor has installed a total of four DP4K-60L and one DP4K-45L at its Super Plex theatres. Lotte Cinema had already installed four xenon projectors at its topnotch Super Plex G theatre. Convinced as they were about the benefits of flagship laser, they decided to replace those units with two Barco DP4K-60L projectors before the grand re-opening. "When you take the advantages of Barco flagship laser projection into account, the decision is very logical," says by Lotte Cinema. "First of all, the image quality is unbeatable, so we're not just offering our visitors the biggest screen but the sharpest and brightest images as well. Secondly,
the DP4K-60L can easily be upgraded to HDR, which makes it the most future-proof projector available. And last but not least, when you look at the total cost of ownership, flagship laser's ease-of-use and low maintenance make it a no-brainer for premium auditoriums."
approximately $2.3 million during its opening weekend in 66 select IMAX theatres across India, North America, Australia, the Middle East and Africa. In India, the film grossed $334,000 from 10 IMAX theatres - making it the highest-grossing IMAX opening weekend ever in the market.
Stijn Henderickx, VP Cinema at Barco: "In 2015, Lotte Cinema made the switch to flagship laser after extensive testing - a strategic technology choice that perfectly complemented Lotte's upscale cinema concept. Today, we are honored to see their commitment to premium cinema experiences and flagship laser projection extend itself to their most ambitious auditorium, the Super Plex G. We truly believe that there could be no better match for two companies as passionate about cinema as Lotte Cinema and Barco."
The film also had a strong performance in its limited run at the North American box office this weekend - with IMAX generating approximately $1.8 million from 45 IMAX theatres for a robust $40,000 per-screen-average. This marks IMAX's biggest domestic opening of a foreign language film.
Baahubali 2: The Conclusion Grosses $2.3 Million in 66 Select IMAX Theatres Worldwide IMAX Corporation announced that Arka Mediaworks' Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, which was directed by S.S. Rajamouli, grossed
"We congratulate visionary director S.S. Rajamouli, Arka Mediaworks and the entire Baahubali team for creating a truly epic film that has not only broken IMAX records in India, but has clearly resonated with IMAX audiences worldwide- including a phenomenal performance in its limited North American run," said Greg Foster, CEO of IMAX Entertainment and Senior Executive Vice President, IMAX Corp. "Today's results are a clear indication that our local-language release and gap filling strategies are working and we look forward to continuing to partner with leading filmmakers like S.S. Rajamouli to bring the best in Indian cinema to moviegoers around the globe." "Both the Baahubali movies are designed to be a larger than life experience and IMAX further enhances that experience," said the film's Producer, Shobu Yarlagadda. "We are glad that our audience is loving the IMAX version and that the IMAX version is doing extremely well at the box office in its limited release." Baahubali 2: The Conclusion marks the third Indian local-language production to be released in IMAX, including the previous recordbreaking 2013 local-language release DHOOM 3. The IMAX release of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion was digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience with proprietary IMAX DMR (Digital Re-
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mastering) technology. The crystalclear images, coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.
IMAX Signs Agreement With AMC Entertainment For 25 New IMAX Theatres IMAX Corporation and ODEON Cinemas Group, including its Nordic Cinema Group subsidiary, both wholly owned by AMC, and the largest cinema operator in Europe, announced they signed a binding term sheet for 25 new IMAX theatre systems to be located throughout Europe. Under the agreement, 10 IMAX theatres have been identified and will be added to existing ODEON complexes throughout the UK/ Ireland, Germany, Spain and Italy, with the locations of the remaining sites to be determined throughout Western, Southern and Northern Europe. "Europe is a region with tremendous long-term growth potential. Today we are further delivering on our promise to expand in this strategic market with the largest European deal in our history. We believe this agreement, which is a direct result of our strong per-screen averages in the UK and Germany, will enhance our ability to replicate this success and expand our presence across Europe particularly in underpenetrated territories like Germany, Italy, Spain and Scandinavia," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "Together with
ODEON & Nordic Cinemas and parent company AMC, we are committed to delivering unparalleled entertainment experiences to more audiences throughout Europe where the demand for IMAX continues to grow." “The announcement with IMAX, our longstanding U.S. partner and now our global partner, is a major step forward to deliver on our plan to bring the proven and incredibly popular AMC movie-going experience to our ODEON and Nordic guests," said Adam Aron, CEO and President, AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. "We are excited that the immersive IMAX experience, which has become synonymous with event movie-going, will be available to more European movie-goers than ever before." The joint revenue-sharing arrangement brings ODEON & Nordic Cinemas' total IMAX commitment to 47 theatres. The exhibitors opened their first IMAX theatre in 2008 in Greenwich, England, and today operate 15 theatres open in the UK, two in Spain and one each in Italy and Sweden, with an additional 28 contracted to open.
Dolby Cinema Coming to the Middle East Dolby Laboratories, Inc and Reel Cinemas, the dynamic cinema brand under Emaar Entertainment, announced plans to open multiple
Dolby Cinema locations across the Reel Cinemas portfolio in the Middle East. Dolby Cinema is a premium cinema offering for moviegoers that combines spectacular image and sound technologies with inspired design to deliver the total cinema experience, making every visit a completely captivating cinematic event. "This marks another milestone for Dolby Cinema as we expand our global reach spanning across the United States, China, Europe, and now the Middle East," said Doug Darrow, Senior Vice President, Cinema Business Group, Dolby Laboratories. "We look forward to working with Reel Cinemas to bring spectacular moviegoing experiences to audiences who seek out the best in entertainment." Among the first sites expected to open later this year are the Dubai Marina Mall and the flagship Reel Cinema location at The Dubai Mall. "Reel Cinemas is committed to delivering the most revolutionary and state-of-the-art technologies for our guests; this collaboration with Dolby means that cinemagoers can feel fully captivated by the story unfolding on-screen," said Adon Quinn, Senior Director, Reel Cinemas, a subsidiary of Emaar Entertainment. "We are thrilled to be the first cinema chain to bring the Dolby Cinema premium experience to moviegoers in the Middle East." Dolby Cinema features the Dolby Vision laser projection system, which
uses state-of-the-art optics and image processing to deliver high dynamic range with enhanced color technology and a contrast ratio that far exceeds that of any other image technology on the market today. The result is a richer, more detailed viewing experience that delivers strikingly vivid and realistic images and makes viewers feel like they are in the movie's world. The Dolby Vision laser projection system was codeveloped with Christie, which supplies, installs, and services all the projector systems, which can only be experienced at Dolby Cinema locations. Dolby Cinema also includes Dolby Atmos sound technology, which moves audio around the theatre, even overhead, with amazing richness and depth. The combination of Dolby technologies with the design and comfort of the Dolby Cinema makes audiences feel closer to the onscreen action.
GDC Celebrates 50,000 Cinema Media Servers Shipped GDC Technology Limited, a leading global provider of digital cinema solutions, announced that more than 50,000 cinema media severs have been shipped to customers worldwide. More than a third of the world's cinema screens, from renowned art houses to ultramodern multiplexes, count on GDC Technology to enable new possibilities for big screen content and experiences. "When GDC was founded in 1999, my small team and I sat and watched the first product ship. I was excited then, but I was even more excited to watch the 50,000th media server leave the dock," said Dr. Man-Nang Chong, founder, chairman and CEO of GDC Technology Limited. GDC has reached an especially fevered pitch in China, with 26,000 media servers shipped since 2000 -
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and represents the industry's largest market share. North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) experienced significant growth during this same period. This continued global success further affirms the company's longstanding leadership position in the digital cinema space and represents a positive outlook for the months and years ahead.
QSC Announces TMS Support for USL CMS-2200 QSC announced Theatre Management System (TMS) support for the USL CMS-2200 media server. comScore's Hollywood Software released a software patch for its Theatre Command Center (TCC3) TMS which includes full integration with the USL CMS-2200 Media Server. comScore's TCC3 connects theatres, centralizes content management and automates the transfer of features, trailers and encryption keys. TCC manages more than 15,000 screens
worldwide through its partnerships with several of the leading cinema Network Operations Centers (NOCs). "The integration of our media server with comScore's TCC marks yet another very significant milestone for QSC," says Barry Ferrell, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for QSC. "Since our acquisition of USL in September of last year, the pieces really began to fall into place for us to become a complete cinema technology solutions provider. We're thrilled that our first partnership with a TMS provider happens to be with a company of such stature in the industry as comScore."
Steve Hatton Joins QSC as Cinema Product Specialist QSC announced that experienced cinema technician Steve Hatton has joined the QSC Cinema team. Steve has nearly 20 years of experience in all phases of cinema sound and projection system design,
installation, and servicing. As president of his own service company, Sound and Imaging Concepts, Steve oversaw the installation of hundreds of cinema projects throughout the United States. Prior to running Sound and Imaging Concepts, Steve worked for Shaver Sound Inc., troubleshooting and maintaining 35mm projection systems and coordinating digital cinema conversions. As Cinema Product Specialist, Steve will provide assistance to QSC customers requiring technical support both pre- and post-sales. Steve Hatton will report to Danny Pickett, Director of Global Cinema Sales.
Harkness Screens Announces The Return of the Harklets to CineEurope Harkness Screens, the world's leading screen technology company and thought-leaders in presentation quality, has announced the forthcoming release of its animated sequel starring its storytelling characters, the Harklets. Designed to help educate and inform the movie industry in a simple and fun way, the Harklets return at CineEurope 2017 in their second animated adventure tackling a dirty screen in need or urgent attention. 'The Harklets in The Dirty Cinema Screen' is a short, fully animated adventure following on from the 2016 adventure 'The Harklets in Reality Capture for Cinema' and sees the return of legendary British actor and explorer Brian Blessed OBE as the voice over. Famed for his big booming voice and personality, he is most remembered for his iconic roles including Prince Vultan in 1980s cult movie Flash Gordon, as the voice of Boss Nass in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and in countless Shakespearean productions on both stage and film. "After the success of the first adventure last year, we're delighted to bring the brilliance of Brian Blessed OBE and our quirky blue friends back to the movie industry and premiere the new story at CineEurope, says Richard Mitchell," VP Global Marketing at Harkness Screens. "Right now cinema exhibitors are focused on utilizing capital to improve the movie-going experience primarily through the implementation of reclining seating and lobby experiences rather than through technology upgrades to the auditorium. During this period it's important that exhibitors don't lose sight of the requirement to provide an excellent movie presentation experience and the importance of a well performing screen," he adds. The short will receive its world premiere at the International Cinema Technology Association seminar at
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CineEurope, 'The Harklets in The Dirty Cinema Screen' will be found online across various video sharing sites including YouTube from June 19th 2017. "Through the new Harklets movie, we're able to highlight the types of screen damage that affect presentation quality and require a screen replacement whilst at the same time showing the industry how, with minimal financial outlay and particular care, an existing screen that may be coming towards the end of its useful life might be preserved for a little longer until exhibitors are able to go back and retrofit the auditorium with next generation sight and sound equipment," Mitchell adds.
Harkness Screens Launches 3D BIM Content Library Harkness Screens, the world's leading screen technology company announced the launch of its 3D BIM (Building Information Modelling) content library aimed at helping architects and those involved with cinema design improve the outcome of their digital modelling projects. This new content has been developed to support those designing cinemas using Autodesk's Revit platform, the world's leading 3D BIM platform. "The pace of technological change in the construction industry has been very similar to that which the cinema
industry undertook when converting from 35mm to digital projection. Over the past ten years, the wider construction industry outside of cinema has moved from designing in 2D CAD to a significantly more collaborative, dynamic and data-rich 3D environment," says Richard Mitchell, VP Global Marketing and Commercial Development at Harkness Screens. "This change has helped project teams deliver better outcomes for their clients through improved project planning, reduced risk, smarter project coordination and increased levels of information which enable the client to manage their asset (a building) more efficiently. A key component to providing clients with a rich level of information about their building is relevant content from product manufacturers." he adds. The new Harkness Screens BIM content library covers the company's complete portfolio of cinema screen products (including Perlux, Clarus XC and Spectral) and allows cinema designers to size screens based on common screen formats or custom sizes and then use innovative technology to analyse the impact on potential viewing experiences based on auditorium and screen design within the BIM model. In addition the content library also feature the company's screen packaging which allows design teams to identify potential on-site clashes that may occur when transporting screens into the auditorium and plan construction sequences accordingly to mitigate on-site delays or costly errors. "This latest addition from Harkness further extends our commitment to helping enrich every cinema experience by providing innovative solutions to support architects, exhibitors and integrators in improving design, specification, install and use of cinema screens and their ongoing maintenance," explains Richard Mitchell.
CJ 4DPLEX Grows European 4DX Footprint by 65% in One Year CJ 4DPLEX, the world's leading 4D cinema company, has increased the European footprint of its 4DX technology by 65 percent in the past year. After first coming to Europe in 2012 with the opening of four 4DX theatres, CJ 4DPLEX has spent the last 12 months rolling out its immersive cinema technology - featuring moving seats and environmental effects such as wind, rain, scents, and much more - across the continent. The expansion has reached 20 new European locations that have opened from May 1, 2016 through April 30, 2017, including the first 4DX theatres in Slovakia, Serbia, Norway and France. As of April 30, 2017, there are 51 4DX theatres across 16 European countries. By comparison, at the end of April 2016, there were 31 4DX theatres across Europe. A major reason for this expansion is the passionate following 4DX has in Europe, where 59 titles were showcased in the format in 2016 alone. The newest title to be released in 4DX is Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which is currently being presented on all 51 European screens. 4DX screenings of The Fate of the Furious recently generated 20 to 30 percent higher occupancy rates in Europe than the worldwide 4DX average occupancy rate (56 percent) during the film's international opening week. Some of the film's strongest success in this format took place in France, where 4DX screenings The Fate of the Furious saw an average occupancy rate of nearly 100 percent, virtually selling out during the entire two weeks of the film's 4DX run. Other notable opening weekend occupancy rates for the global blockbuster include Croatia (98 percent), Norway (89 percent), Switzerland (86 percent) and Portugal (82 percent). "Europe is one of our important markets, with theatres on the continent currently making up 14 percent of the total number of 4DX locations around the world. We eagerly continue to rapidly expand our reach in the region, building solid partnerships with new multiplex operators and maintaining reliable relationships with existing partners as we grow our European footprint," said ByungHwan Choi, CEO of CJ 4DPLEX. In Europe, 4DX is currently available in Russia, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Croatia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Romania, Turkey, Portugal, Slovakia, Serbia, Norway and France. The most recent 4DX theatre openings, in France and Norway, have seen an overall average occupancy rate of 80 percent for the duration of an entire month since they launched. A new 4DX location in Europe - the 52nd on the continent - is set to open in partnership with Hollywood Megaplex (HMP) in Austria in the next few months.
AMC Completes Acquisition of Nordic Cinema AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc, the world's largest movie exhibitor, announced it has completed its acquisition of Stockholm-based Nordic Cinema Group Holding AB, the largest theatre operator in the Nordic and Baltic countries. AMC completed the purchase in all-cash transaction of SEK 5,756 million (USD $651.9 million), which includes payment of interest on the equity value and repayment of shareholder loans. In addition, AMC repaid indebtedness of Nordic of approximately SEK 1,274 million (USD $144.3 million) and indebtedness of approximately EUR 156 million (USD $168.2 million) as of March 28, 2017. All amounts have been converted into US Dollar amounts assuming an SEK/USD exchange rate of .11326 and a EUR/ USD exchange rate of 1.0783, which were the exchange rates on March 23, 2017. With Nordic added to its portfolio of theatre assets in Europe and the U.S., AMC has hit the never-beforereached movie exhibitor milestones of 1,000 theatres and 11,000 screens across the globe. AMC now operates theatres in 15 countries, is the market leader in nine of those, and is the largest operator in each of the U.S., and Europe and worldwide. Nordic will operate as a subsidiary of London-based Odeon Cinemas Group, which AMC acquired in November of 2016. Jan Bernhardsson, formerly President and CEO of Nordic Cinema Group, has been promoted to become Chief Operating Officer of Odeon Cinemas Group and Executive Vice President, AMC Europe. Jan will be in charge of all the AMC controlled theatres across 14 countries in Europe, and will report to Mark Way, Managing Director of Odeon Cinemas and President, AMC Europe. Nordic collectively has 68 theatres with 463 screens and approximately 68,000 seats in nearly 50 large and medium-sized cities in the Nordic
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and Baltic nations, and a substantial minority investment (approximately 50%) in another 50 associated theatres with 201 screens, to which it provides a variety of shared services. Nordic theatres are number one in market share in Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and currently number two in market share in Norway. With a new theatre scheduled to open next year in Norway, Nordic is expected to increase market share to number one here as well. Additional associated theatres also operate in Denmark. All Nordic activities are conducted locally in seven markets under several brands, including SF Bio in Sweden, SF Kino in Norway, Finnkino in Finland, and Forum Cinemas in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Nordic had approximately SEK 2,938 million ($349 million USD) 1 of revenue in 2015, including box office revenues of SEK 1,928 million ($229 million USD)1. Total revenues for the 12-month period ended September 30, 2016, were SEK 3,159 million ($375 million USD) 2 and operating margins for that 12-month period exceeded those of AMC. AMC purchased Nordic from European private equity firm Bridgepoint and Swedish media group Bonnier Holding. The transaction received antitrust clearance by the European Commission on March 21, 2017. With the transaction complete, Odeon Cinemas Group has 361 theatres and 2,926 screens in its European portfolio, including theatres it directly operates and associate theatres. In addition to its Nordic subsidiaries, Odeon also operates 243 theatres with 2,262 screens in its four primary markets: Odeon theatres in the U.K./Ireland, UCI theatres in Italy and Portugal, UCI Kinowelt in Germany/Austria, and Cinesa in Spain. Odeon Cinemas Group is the largest operator in the U.K./Ireland, Italy and Spain, the number two market share in Austria and Portugal and the number four market share in Germany.
4DX to Open First Theatre in Qatar CJ 4DPLEX, the world's leading 4D cinema company, announced that a new 4DX auditorium will open with Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas - VOX Cinemas, the Middle East's most innovative and customer-focused theatre exhibitor. This will bring the immersive cinema experience to Qatar for the first time, making it the 48th country worldwide and the seventh in the Middle East to bring 4DX to moviegoers. The new 4DX screen - which will be located at the new VOX Cinemas Doha Festival City, located in Um Salal Muhammad - is the result of a long-standing partnership with VOX Cinemas. It follows the recent opening of a 4DX screen at VOX Cinemas Egypt this past March, and earlier openings throughout the Middle East including in the UAE, Oman, and Lebanon. VOX Cinemas first partnered with CJ 4DPLEX to bring a 4DX-enabled theatre to Dubai in December 2013 (VOX Cinemas City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif) and, with today's news, the total number of VOX Cinemas to feature 4DX will be 12 theatres across five countries. VOX Cinemas Doha Festival City, located in the new Doha Festival City shopping mall, will be the first and flagship cinema for the exhibitor in Qatar. The new location will operate 18 screens and introduce new concepts to the region such as VOX MAX, Kids, 4DX, and THEATRE by Rhodes. Overall, VOX Cinemas currently operates 284 screens at 29 locations in six countries throughout the Middle East including the UAE, Oman, Lebanon, Bahrain, Egypt, and Qatar.
Regal Entertainment Group Completes Acquisition of Warren Theatres Regal Entertainment Group, a leading motion picture exhibitor owning and operating one of the largest theatre circuits in the United States, announced that it has completed the acquisition of seven existing Warren Theatres in Kansas and Oklahoma. Regal continues to raise the bar by investing in local markets and providing luxury amenities that enhance the movie going experience. The transaction will add a total of seven theatres with 93 screens to Regal's portfolio, including the Warren 14/IMAX in Moore, Oklahoma - the 17th highest grossing theatertheatre in the United States in 2016. "Warren Theatres have become the market leader in both Wichita and Oklahoma City by providing superior customer service and a myriad of upscale amenities, including reclining seats, large format screens and a wide array of food and beverage options," stated Amy Miles, CEO of Regal Entertainment Group. "We are honored and excited to add these high-quality assets to our circuit and expect the transaction to be immediately accretive to our earnings and cash flow." President of Warren Theatres, Bill Warren, has considered past offers, but chose to go forward with the Regal proposal, stating: "I know our movie-going guests and our 1,400 cast members will be in great hands with Regal. I have long been impressed with Regal's high standards of quality showmanship and outstanding customer service."
This addition to Regal's theatre circuit is a great strategic fit. Regal is continuously seeking new and innovative ideas to enhance the guest experience. Luxurious King-Size Recliners, immersive technology, expanded food menus, and industry leading loyalty program Regal Crown Club are a few of the many ways Regal seeks to provide our guests an opportunity to enjoy the movies.
Cinemark Announces Remodel of Cinemark Movies 12 with Luxury Lounger Recliners Cinemark Holdings, Inc, a leader in the motion picture exhibition industry, announced plans to renovate and upgrade its Cinemark Movies 12 theatre by adding reclining seats to all auditoriums. Cinemark Luxury Loungers feature electric-powered, plush, oversized lounge chairs with footrests and cup holders. The seating conversion and enhancements to the theatre, conveniently located at 1317 Buckeye Ave. in Ames, IA, is scheduled to begin in early fall 2017. "We are eager to begin this remodel project at our Cinemark Movies 12 theatre," stated James Meredith, Cinemark's Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications. "Our new Luxury Lounger recliners will provide a superior entertainment experience and be a welcome addition to this Cinemark location." Colleen Archer, Principal of MGR Asset and Cinemark's landlord, added, "We are excited about Cinemark's initiative to further upgrade the Ames complex with Luxury Loungers and other enhancements which will make the theatre a state-of-the-art complex as well as complement our efforts to retenant Pine Tree shopping center."
Additionally, many digital and online programs are currently available at the Cinemark Movies 12. Moviegoers can download the Cinemark app to view show times, purchase tickets onthe-go and join Cinemark's Connections loyalty program. Connections is an app-based program that rewards loyal guests with unique experiential prizes, including one-of-a-kind gifts, trips, digital downloads and games. Guests can earn CineMode rewards too for being courteous during movies.
Cinemark Partners with THX to Certify XD Auditoriums Cinemark Holdings, Inc, a leader in the motion picture exhibition industry, has aligned with THX, renowned as the guarantor of bestin-class cinemas and consumer electronics, to certify Cinemark's private-label premium large format XD auditoriums. THX certification will ensure XD auditoriums offer a superior audiovisual experience for moviegoers and provide an unparalleled entertainment environment. Cinemark operates more than 225 XD auditoriums throughout the US and South and Central America, offering audiences the highest quality moviegoing experience, including: •
Enormous wall-to-wall screens
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Crisp, clear digital projection, with 2D and 3D capabilities
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Immersive, surround sound audio systems that enable customers to hear the movies as the filmmakers intended
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Premium seats with Luxury Lounger electric recliners in many auditoriums
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THX optimized auditorium design
The certification process has already commenced and should be fully complete within the next 12 months.
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Vue to Acquire Odeon Printworks
Vue Entertainment is taking over the Odeon Printworks cinema in Manchester. The deal is reflective of Vue's successful 'buy and build' growth strategy and the takeover of the iconic 20 screen multiplex, which also features an IMAX screen, will see Vue's portfolio increase to 86 sites throughout the UK & Ireland with further expansion slated through 2017 and beyond. Vue will take over operation of the cinema in late May when there will be a short transition period to change signage and other operational changes such as new Point of Sale technology and the move to the new Vue website. Vue are is committed to ensuring that the Printworks cinema continues to be a major part of the out-of-home leisure choices in the Manchester market. Vue is currently upgrading its London West End flagship and this will act as the template for this flagship cinema in the North of England. The highly successful IMAX auditorium will remain as part of the cinema offer and is due to be enhanced with new stateof-the-art laser projection technology in early 2018. Kevin Styles, Managing Director UK & Ireland, Vue commented, '"We are delighted to have been able to secure the Printworks site and with it the opportunity to bring our premium big screen experience to customers in Manchester. Across our estate we provide our customers with the best choice of content, the best environment, the best technology and
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the best food and drink and Manchester Printworks will be no exception. We look forward to welcoming the team led by Steve Gleave, who currently operate the Printworks cinemas so successfully, into the Vue team and ensuring that the Printworks cinema continues to be a major part of the out-of-home leisure choices in the Manchester market.
Vue Expands Investment in Sony 4K Vue International has expanded its investment in Sony Digital Cinema 4K projection systems to deliver the next level of premium cinema experience. After standardising its portfolio on Sony 4K, Vue has now upgraded the remaining DLP (Digital Light Processing) projectors across its estate in the UK, Ireland and Germany (CinemaxX), installing 44 Sony SRXR515DS dual projection systems. Each system delivers superb picture quality, thanks to 30,000 lumen brightness levels and an industryleading 8000:1 average contrast ratio - ideal for presentation in 3D or 2D on Premium Large Format (PLF) screens. Vue International's relationship with Sony Digital Cinema 4K is long standing, with the operator already standardised on Sony 4K projection across its UK and Ireland estate, as well as Germany and Denmark. "Vue is without question one of Europe's most technically innovative
and customer-focused cinema operators," comments Tim Potter, Business Development Manager, Sony Digital Cinema 4K. "We're thrilled to take our partnership to the next level and deliver solutions that time and again provide the picture quality demanded by passionate cinema-goers. We're proud that our SRX-R515DS models satisfy today's market needs in spades, trumping unproven laser solutions."
Wanda Cinema was awarded "China's Commercial Real Estate Outstanding Cooperation Brand" "China Commercial Real Estate Industry Development Forum 2017 (the fourteenth) Annual Conference" and "Huayuan Happy City Night" awards ceremony is scheduled for April 12 - 14 in the "cross-border boundless integration" as the theme of " Shangri-La Hotel, Hangzhou. Annual meeting by the All Real Estate Chamber of Commerce Commercial Real Estate Research Association (National Federation of Industry and Commerce, China Commercial Real Estate Alliance renamed), China Times, Tencent real estate, home media co-sponsored. Wanda Cinema Co., Ltd. (002739.SZ) in the event was named "China's commercial real estate outstanding cooperation brand." China Commercial Real Estate Industry Development Forum since 2004 has been in Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Beijing, Qingdao, Wuhan, Shanghai, Chengdu and other places successfully held thirteen. Participants include: government investment departments, commercial real estate developers, commercial brands, consultants, design agencies, fund investment banks, equipment suppliers and other industrial chain.
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The Mall of Switzerland
New 'Wave' of Entertainment
Located in the tourist region of Lucerne, The Mall of Switzerland will be the second-largest shopping and leisure centre in the country to open on November 8, 2017. With its pioneering concept, the mall brings together around 150 shops and eateries with exceptional leisure and sports facilities, unique children's attractions such as the first standing indoor wave and the largest IMAX cinema screen in the country, and a multiplex cinema with 12 screens.
The country of ravishing Alpine beauty and quaint villages will soon have its second-largest shopping and entertainment mall -- The Mall of Switzerland. Located in the tourist region of Lucerne, the mall will be opening on November 8, 2017. With a total GLA of 65,000 m2, The Mall of Switzerland will be the secondlargest shopping and leisure centre in Switzerland after completion. With its own train station and bus stop, a motorway junction leading directly to the car park and a large bike storage facility, the shopping centre is one of the most advanced shopping centres in Switzerland. The pioneering concept brings together
around 150 shops and eateries with exceptional leisure and sports
facilities, unique children's attractions such as the first standing indoor wave in Switzerland, the largest IMAX cinema screen in the country, and a multiplex cinema with 12 screens.
Get Spoilt for Brand Choice From the best-known international brands to young upcoming designers, you will be spoilt for choice at this mall. The "Mall Heart 2" is the perfect setting to serve as a platform for daring innovation.
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• SPECIAL STORY • Fashion shows, exhibitions, or popup stores to test fresh concepts for a limited period of time are some of them.
'Waves' of Entertainment The Mall of Switzerland also presents a rich variety of leisure and sports facilities for the whole family. Two of the spectacular highlights are the "Standing Wave", which is unique to Switzerland and will fascinate every surf fan and Switzerland's largest IMAX cinema screen, which will amaze those who enjoy viewing movies on an XXL screen on a "wave of enthusiasm". Here's a stage and a food marketplace - Ebisquare. Exciting events and festivals will fill this place with life all year round. This can be your perfect hangout to recover from work.
Settled in one of the various seating facilities, you will appreciate all the things online shopping can never provide. In the large interaction zone: flexible in its variable functions, it offers non-stop fun and action. From the stand, you can, among other things, watch the kids play in the water fountains or enjoy a fashion show.
A novelty in the shopping mall landscape of Switzerland will be the jumping storefronts, which will be individually designed by the tenants and will thus provide a unique highstreet experience. Walking through the mall will be similar to strolling through a city centre. If you just wish to relax and enjoy, a wide range of cafés and lounges will help you unwind.
Impressive Architecture The mall has developed a holistic design concept, trying out new ways to make the visitors' stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible. High ceilings ensure a special sense of space. With lots of natural daylight, tenants and visitors will find themselves in an appealing, inspiring environment. Impressive sculptures of typically Swiss themes are additional attractions that invite you to enjoy.
Exciting Digital Services Trends are constantly changing. Offline and online are drawing increasingly closer. The Mall of Switzerland is full of innovative power, visible in many areas, offering visitors great benefits. This includes a number of exciting digital services. You can keep up to date with the latest trends and information.
To take a sneak peak into this spectacular Mall, TheatreWorld catches up with Nikolas Loehr, Director of Retail Marketing, Freo. He specialises in retail and shopping centre sector. When the mall opens in November 2017, it will be the second largest mall in Switzerland. How does it feel to be one? We are delighted to be one of the largest centres in Switzerland. FREO was keen to develop the project because we believe that this will be a future-proof location, being based in one of the strongest developing regions in the country with a catchment area of 3.3 million people. In addition Swiss purchasing power has been steadily increasing, and is now at EUR 42,300 per capita, three times higher than the European average. Investment in Mall of Switzerland currently stands at above 450 million Swiss francs, and so far anchor tenants include brands such as H & M, Mango,
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C&A, Migros, Mode Bayard, Terranova, Metro Boutique, Müller Drogerie, Dosenbach, Ochsner Shoes and Ochsner Sport. We have approx. 150 retail and food units available for leasing, with confirmed lettings at 75 per cent. Tell us more about the most unique aspects of the mall. The Mall will have a distinctive brand of "Swissness". This is epitomised by
its eclectic mix of local brands and distinctive design by Schwitzke & Partner, integrating Swiss themes in an unobtrusive manner. The enclosed oval of the main building radiates outwards and provides a very impressive and pleasant space for shoppers to enjoy. We have also
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implemented an innovative design concept of "jumping facades" which is a first in Switzerland. These shop fronts allow tenants to achieve optimal presentation of their brands and products, and create an atmosphere of strolling through a town centre for the customer. Another notable aspect of the centre is its incredible leisure, food and beverage offering. Whereas most centres have traditionally been limited in this respect, we have identified food, beverage and recreation as a major factor in a mall's success and have dedicated approximately one third of the Mall's space to this purpose. In your opinion, how will the IMAX and 12-screen multiplex contribute to the success of the mall? As leisure and retail are becoming increasingly important to the success of a centre, our PathĂŠ multiplex cinema will be the one of the key factors to draw in footfall. Leisure offerings help to increase dwelling time, quality of stay and the centre's function as a meeting point. As we will provide the largest IMAX cinema
in Switzerland, we anticipate huge interest. In addition, by combining this screening complex with an impressive number of food and beverage options, the Mall will not be just a shopping centre, but a lifestyle destination.
innovations in the leisure mix is vital. For this reason, the mall not only includes a large cinema, but also a fitness centre and spa, an inspired children's play area and the first indoor surfing wave in the country. In addition, general contractor Halter AG is also building 191 modern apartments just next door.
How do you see the combination of retail (shopping) and entertainment business (cinema halls) doing world over? Is it the cinema business boosting retail or is it the other way round?
Tell us more about the connectivity via a train station and bus stop.
The two support each other. As mentioned earlier, leisure and retail have to increasingly work in close conjunction in order to increase the productivity of a centre. With online retail progressively dominating the market, people don't just want to buy things that are now so easily accessible. They want to enjoy an experience. Centre visitors are becoming more and more like 'guests' as opposed to customers, and developers have had to listen more carefully to their wants and needs. This means that the mix of utilisations and individual retail spaces in centres has changed, and
As customer service is a top priority for us. We needed to create a mall with first-rate accessibility. The site is located in between Lucerne, Zug and Zurich and is served by a railway connection direct to Buchrain station as well as a dedicated bus stop, catering regional routes. We will also provide 300 sheltered bicycle stands for the environmentally conscious. Additionally, the centre is easy to reach by car thanks to a motorway feeder and an extensive car park, with more than 1,600 parking spaces and direct mall access from all levels.
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• SPECIAL STORY •
EDDY DUQUENNE
CREATING CUSTOMER VALUE Named as the 2017 recipient of the "International Exhibitor of the Year Award" at CineEurope, Eddy Duquenne and his team at Kinepolis have created one of the most innovative exhibition circuits in Europe!
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The Belgian cinema chain Kinepolis Group has been one of the leading chains pan Europe. It was formed in 1997 as a result of the merger of two family cinema groups and was listed on the stock exchange in 1998. Kinepolis has 49 complexes throughout Belgium, The Netherlands, France, Spain, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Poland, with 500 theatres and more than 124,000 seats. Around 2,300 employees work hard every day to give some 24 million of cinema visitors an unforgettable movie experience.
there are more projects to come. Eddy will be named "International Exhibitor of the Year 2017" at CineEurope! According to CineEurope: "Kinepolis have been at the forefront of recent innovations by European cinema operators in terms of the big screen experience and continue to be a standard bearer for new and exciting approaches. But they have never forgotten that it is the customer who should remain at the centre of the business. This award is a fitting acknowledgement of the achievements of Eddy and his company colleagues."
The chain holds many distinctions to its credit. The first megaplex cinema in the world is considered to be Kinepolis Brussels located near the Atomium in Brussels, Belgium, which opened in 1988 with 25 screens. Kinepolis Madrid in Spain is the largest cinema in the world, with 24 screens and a seating capacity of 9,200.
Excerpts from Eddy Duquenne's conversation with TheatreWorld:
Eddy Duquenne (54) is Chief Executive Officer of Kinepolis Group since 2008, together with Joost Bert. Before joining Kinepolis, he gained expertise in the leisure sector, property management and the financial circuit, through different functions at the tourism group Sunparks and in the banking sector. In March 2014, Eddy Duquenne was honoured with the 'Global Achievement Award in Exhibition', a worldwide recognition as best cinema operator in the world. Since he started at Kinepolis in 2008, Eddy Duquenne emphasized customer focus and innovation. He transformed the group to a 'selflearning' and 'self-innovating' company.
Congratulations on being the recipient of the "International Exhibitor of the Year Award 2017" at CineEurope! How does it feel and what does this recognition mean to you? Well, it means a lot for our company. I think it's more of an award for Kinepolis than an award for Eddy! We have been working hard to become a customer-centric organization. Financials are always important but for long term value creation, the consumer experience is crucial. So I think this award is a recognition for that and to an extent we have succeeded in our goal.
What would you say is the secret of this success? The company was founded on ideals and goals of being "The Ultimate Cinema Experience". We have always been at the forefront with new technology and new experiences. Since 2008, we have a 'direct marketing' approach. We have been trying to identify the customer and understand his preferences. In the future, understanding the customers and their requirements is the key. We need to know what they want in terms of experience and content to become "The Ultimate Movie Experience". As a CEO, what is your vision and mission for Kinepolis? We will try to improve our experience and offerings in existing theatres and also understand how we can grow in new markets and enhance customer experience in those new markets. We will also try to create value for shareholders. From 23 theatres, we have grown to 49 in 3 years' time and we plan to continue this momentum. Tell us more about your expansion strategy, which has been your major focus. We want to understand the markets where we are present. You need to
Today Eddy Duquenne focuses on the expansion of the Group. In 2014, Kinepolis took over the Dutch Group Wolff Bioscopen, as well as 2 Spanish cinemas. In November 2015, the Group took over Utopolis (9 complexes) and in 2016 five new build cinemas have opened. And
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• SPECIAL STORY • understand the local culture to be able to enter a new market in a successful way. If we want to go to new countries, we need to have an understanding of their culture.
cinematic luxuries, compared with others. Some of our competitors focus on technology, others more on content or niche markets. We try to do it all. We have huge cinemas with wide movie choice to attract "all" customer groups. That's a challenge.
That's why the time being, we will try to expand more in the Western world than in Asia. Kinepolis had introduced a new app to make cinema visit easier than before in January 2017. Tell us more about this app and how, in your opinion, has this changed the consumer experience. It's all about offering more convenience to our customers. Mobile sales is more than 50% of our web sales today. We try to give you an easier access to more information about movies, showtimes, experience. If you are registered with Kinepolis, you are offered movies on the website and mobile app that are closest to your preferences. Which is the one market Kinepolis will focus on in the coming years? We will focus on all markets. We are trying to understand what works in different markets; the products, experiences and content that works in these markets. Understanding and following up consumer trends is the key. How is Kinepolis keeping up with the changing dynamics of technology and social media engagement?
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Give us your perspective of acquisition of the Utopolis operations in Luxemburg.
Wherever technology adds to the consumer experience, we go for it. Our cinemas are well equipped with latest technology. We have introduced chocolate cafes and Sushi bars to enhance the experience. We have permanent online survey following up what customers want and how they react to what we propose. We work as well on experience as on a more adapted movie offer. We want to know our customer so well that we almost make his choice. In terms of content, we have the ambition to become 'the sommelier of the cinema'-- we want to understand our customers so well that we can offer each customer cluster movies that amazes. How different is the Kinepolis' proposition in terms of ambience, services, pricing and
It's an important acquisition. And it was an opportunity to enter a new country (Luxemburg) and to enforce our market positions in The Netherlands and France. We are very happy and we are now transforming theatres to offer Kinepolis experience. How would you describe your experience of working with the Co-CEO Joost Bert? How do you two complement/contrast each other? Joost has a lot of experience in the business. Our goal is long-term value creation. We make a strong combination for the company. We have a lot of respect for each other. In an industry that is booming with multiplexes, what could be the game changer in your opinion? We need to take care of the shortening of the theatrical window. The past has shown that a lot of value was lost in the home entertainment business. Prices eroded to a level that the profitability of this business came under pressure. Some of the studios try to compensate this trend with shorter release windows and to revalorize content in the home entertainment market. We need to keep in mind that the theatrical window is still the most important contributor in the value chain of the movie industry. If changes in the theatrical windows would affect the value creation in the cinema business, then I am not excluding scenarios like we have seen in the music industry, with dramatic impacts for movie makers as well as exhibitors.
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MBO Cinemas:
Revolutionising Cinema Concepts A leading name in the cinema industry since it first opened its doors to Malaysians in 2005, MBO Cinemashas today become integral to the entertainment culture of this Southeast Asian country. Now one of the top three largest cinema chains in the nation, MBO shows no signs of slowing down as it plans to open up an additional 4 new locations and 44 screens by 2017, totalling to 29 locations and 227 screens. MBO strives to be Malaysia's most loved cinema brand by providing wholesome quality entertainment experiences delivered by a team of friendly and professional movie lovers.
they want to view a movie. They could either bring the whole family together to, indulge in a luxurious setting or have a more experiential journey with state-of-the-art technology," said Mariam Yazmin El Bacha, Director of Operations.
Featuring three unique concepts MBO Cinemas introduced its latest cinema, located at Damansara Uptown's stylish Starling Mallin Malaysia.With its latest offering, the chain has increased the total number of outlets to 27 nationwide.
Innovative Offerings The new line-up at Starling Mall includes MBO Kecil, a concept hallthat serves as a dedicated spacecatering to parents and their children from all ages and size of
MBO Cinemas recently introduced its latest offering, featuring three unique viewing concepts: MBO Kecil, MBO Big Screen, and MBO Premier. This new cinema, located at Damansara Uptown's stylish Starling Mall, increases the total number of outlets to 27 nationwide. "We are happy to announce that this new concept will allow urban audiences to choose how
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familiess. With elements like Kecil Sofabed, bean bags and a playground inside the cinema, MBO is pioneering the effort to change the way families interact at the movies in Malaysia. Unlike traditional cinemas, MBO Kecil will allow kids to run free and play to their heart's content while enjoying their bestloved films. "MBO Kecil is not only an option for kids, but it is also an option for parents. Once a 20 something to 30 something becomes a parent, it takes 4 to 5 years for them to come back to the cinema, and once you lose the
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• INSTALLS • habit of going to the movies, it is more difficult to return," explains Mariam. "We have been watching the families coming to Kecil, and we find that parents are actually the ones that are enjoying this more than the kids! They are able to relax, and we were able to take the stress out of the experience," she adds. For the more initiated movie fans, MBO Big Screen has been equipped with state-of-the-art technology courtesy their recent partnership with Barco. "MBO Big Screen is our Premium Large Format. It is where you want to watch the latest blockbuster movies," says Mariam. Their flagship laser RGB projector, the first-of-its-kind in Malaysia, brings advanced image quality to the big screen with outstanding brightness, high contrast, and superior colour performance. The new screen at Starling Mall is set to be one of the biggest in the country and is coupled with Dolby Atmos's rich, realistic sound system.
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• INSTALLS • Finally, MBO's most intimate hall known as MBO Premier is embellished withdetails that provide for a luxurious setting, including a reclining sofa leather chair and a movable table facing a wall-to-wall screen. "We want people to enjoy Premier every day,so we made all this possible under a very accessible ticket price. Audiences are guaranteed to be delighted with a cinematic experience of high-end comfort and style, they may even forget they are sitting in a theatre," said Mariam.
Coffeehouse & More… Moviegoers will also enjoy the customary popcorn and soda, although MBO is breaking tradition even on this front with its introduction of Cafecito - a unique coffeehouse themed concession stand serving fancy beverages and light snacks. On the technical front, besides the Barco Flagship Laser Projector, MBO has installed 9 halls with Barco 2k Smart Laser Cinema Projectors. The sound is by Harman JBL. Teaming up with Harkness Screens, MBO installed screens with different range of gain depending on the configuration of the hall and includes a Clarux screen of 21m x 11m in size, to showcase the clarity and sharpness of the Barco Flagship Laser Projector in its full magnitude. Since 2005, MBO Cinemas has expanded its operations to 201 digitalised projectors in a total of 27 cinemas nationwide.
The Game Changer "The concept that we build in Starling Mall is a game changer for MBO, because we were able to dare to do innovate even when we are not a market leader. It makes the industry better, because competitors will also be looking at making themselves better, and we will be able to further develop the exhibition market in Malaysia," says Mariam.
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• INSTALLS •
Showcase Cinema de Lux:
A Stunning Cinematic Luxury With electric reclining seats, a lounge bar and VIP service, the 10-screen Showcase Cinema de Lux in Southampton redefines luxury. It is, in fact, the first cinema in the UK to have laser projection and Dolby Atmos as standard in every screen. The port city of Southampton in England is a hub of film activity. The city witnessed the launch of the premier Showcase Cinema de Lux, which is the first one in the UK to have laser projection and Dolby Atmos as standard in every screen. Giving customers the sharpest and brightest image quality and three dimensional sound, the cinema is sure to take movie-viewing experience to the next level.
Stunning Views & State-ofthe-Art Facilities The Showcase Cinema de Lux has ten screens - with electric reclining seats, a lounge bar and VIP service. Each screen features electric recliners, so guests will be able to lie back and relax in comfort. The largest 300-seat auditorium features a wall to wall XPlus, which will be the biggest
screen on the South Coast at a giant 64.5 feet wide wall-to-wall. It includes the biggest screen not only in Southampton, but on the whole of the South Coast.
On the top floor, VIP Mayflower Bar features the best of several bars, food outlets and coffee shops. It also boasts stunning views across Southampton Water. From here one
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• INSTALLS • can access special VIP seating in each of five screens. The cinema also brings you Jude's Ice Cream from Twyford. Julian Taylor Design Associates, based in Romsey, has worked on the design of the cinema.
Spectacular Show to Mark the Inauguration The launch of Showcase Cinema de Lux was marked by a red carpet event for special guests. A Festival of Light in the new public Esplanade next to it featured 12,000 LED lights. Andy Collyer, General Manager of Westquay, where the cinema is located said: "Since the first restaurants began opening last month it has been great to see visitors enjoying the fantastic line-up Westquay now has and we look forward to welcoming many more customers as Southampton now undoubtedly becomes the go-to destination for retail, leisure and dining on the South Coast."
A World Leader in Cinema Exhibition Showcase and Showcase Cinema de Lux are owned and operated by National Amusements, Inc., a world leader in the motion picture exhibition industry operating more than 850 screens in the US, the UK, Argentina and Brazil. National Amusements delivers a superior
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entertainment experience in cinemas around the world under its Showcase, Multiplex, Showcase
Cinema de Lux and UCI brands. Based in Massachusetts, National Amusements is a closely held company operating under the third generation of leadership by the Redstone family. National Amusements is also an equal partner in the online ticketing service, MovieTickets.com, and is the parent company of both Viacom and CBS Corporation.
• INSTALLS •
CMX Brickell City Center:
Cinema Dine-in with a Difference
CMX at Brickell City Centre in Miami is the first location in the United States for Mexico-based Cinemex, the sixth-largest cinema chain in the world. The dine-in movie theatre features all-laser theatres with best-in-class visual and sound quality. CMX, a luxury cinema company, opened its first US theatre in Miami's booming Brickell neighborhood -CMX at Brickell City Centre. It is one of the world's all-laser theatres cinemexes and exclusively features audio technology from Meyer Sound Laboratories. The cinema also includes one Dolby Atmos room, which takes surround sound to the next level. The dine-in movie theatre is the first location in the United States for
Mexico-based Cinemex, the sixthlargest cinema chain in the world with over 600 locations. More locations are planned, including in Broward County.
Enjoy Watching Movies along with Culinary Delights The entrance to the CMX movie theatre is on the third floor of Brickell City Center. The 35,759-
square-foot space is designed not just as a place to watch movies but as a hangout before or after the shows. CMX has two bars stocked with domestic, international and craft beers, wine and cocktails. "Ninja waiters" move about to serve moviegoers food and drinks. It has dining areas both downstairs and
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• INSTALLS •
upstairs with large viewing screens. The menu includes burgers, sandwiches, Cuban egg rolls, shrimp, ahi tuna, pizza, salads, milkshakes and cake. With 10 viewing rooms, cutting-edge audiovisual technology and fullservice gourmet dining, the cinema
offers moviegoers an ultimate upscale experience.
It's App-able MX has developed an app for smartphones that allows customers to browse through movies and purchase tickets in advance. The app also allows guests to view the menu and order food and drinks which are then delivered straight to their seat.
Class Apart in Dine-in Cinema Inside the theatre, all of the seats are recliners with USB ports for phone charging, rotating food trays, food
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• INSTALLS • service call buttons and personal lights. The rows between seats are particularly large for moviegoers' convenience. CMX has glasses that display subtitles available upon request. CMX Director Luis Castelazo said several features differentiate the theatre from dine-in competitors. CMX has laser projectors in all of its theatres for superior picture quality; all of its seats are reclining; it has larger dining areas. The mobile app allows customers to buy both tickets and food at any time, and its single theatre with Dolby Atmos will take surround sound to the next level, he said. Castelazo said the CMS theatre recently approved at the Village of Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach should open in 2018. However, it will be a little different from the Brickell City Centre location.
First all-laser illuminated theatre with Barco Smart Laser cinema projectors Digital Cinema leader Barco and CMX have partnered to equip the new CMX Theatre in Miami with Barco's Smart Laser cinema projectors. The cinema delivers the region's best movie presentation quality while operating at a significantly lower cost than traditional xenon-powered theaters. Smart Laser cinema projectors offer the most cost-effective value proposition for exhibitors desiring to bring laser benefits to every screen. Cinemex will be able to offer an even higher image quality in its mainstream auditoriums, thanks to superior
contrast, brightness and color uniformity. To date, Barco has installed more than 1,500 of these projectors around the world. "We are honored to support CMX's US growth plans and applaud the company's strong commitment to delighting its customers with the best moviegoing experience," comments Ivan Cannau, Vice President Latin America for Barco. "In addition to elevating movie presentation quality, our Smart Laser projectors will help CMX to significantly reduce operating expenses and risk, as a flexible and future-proof solution."
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• INSTALLS •
Suning Cinema:
Ultimate Visual Experience
Nanjing Suning Cinema is now equipped with Christie CP2208 cinema projectors, while Xuzhou Suning Cinema boasts Christie 6P laser projection in its flagship auditorium to offer movie-goers the ultimate 3D viewing experience. Suning Cinema, owned by Chinese electronics retail giant Suning Commerce GroupSuning Commerce Group, has deployed its Christie's state-of-the-art cinema projection systems in two newly- opened multiplexes in Nanjing and Xuzhou to offer movie-goers the ultimate 3D viewing experience.
CP2208 3DLP for Nanjing Suning The luxurious 13-screen Nanjing Suning Cinema has been equipped with Christie CP2208 3DLP digital cinema projectors capable of displaying DCI, 3D, High Frame Rate (HFR), alternative and local content. It is the cinema chain's first multiplex in the city to feature VIP screening rooms, concierge services, and customized events for discerning patrons seeking a new movie-going experience.
designed multiplex made up of eight screens and 1,500 seats that caters to patrons of all ages. At the heart of this facility is the advanced Christie 6P laser projection system installed in its flagship auditorium boasting an 18-meter screen and 260 seats. The system comprises Christie's scalable laser illumination platform, consisting of a Christie Freedom 6P RGB laser projection system with rack-mounted laser modules producing the brightest images, the
purest colors and the best 3D movie experiences. Other auditoriums in the multiplex are fitted with the Christie Solaria Series CP2220CP2220, CP2230CP2230 and CP4230CP4230 digital cinema projectors. A spokesperson from Suning Cinema said, "We are pleased to deploy a range of Christie cinema projection systems in our two newest multiplexes in Nanjing and Xuzhou, and this is a testimony of the strong relationship and trust that we have
6P laser projection for Xuzhou Xuzhou Suning Cinema, on the other hand, is a meticulously-
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Christie Asia Pacific Vice President Lin Yu (second from right) with Suning's senior executives at the official opening ceremony of Nanjing Suning Cinema
• INSTALLS • built with Christie. We're committed to installing the latest, most innovative technologies and that is why we chose the Christie system, which represents the pinnacle of cinema projection, as it delivers the brightest images, the truest colors and the most superior 3D movie experience currently available." Jason Pei, Deputy General Manager, Christie China, commented, "We are delighted that Suning Cinema has continued to place its trust in our cutting-edge cinema projection systems. Our Christie Solaria Series digital cinema projectors is the perfect choice in meeting exhibitors' demands for 2D and 3D presentations, delivering value with reliability and low total cost of ownership. On the other hand, our groundbreaking 6P laser projection system is designed to achieve exceptional brightness in 3D to provide audiences with a truly unforgettable cinema experience." Lin Yu, Vice President, Christie Asia Pacific, added, "I would like to congratulate Suning Cinema on the
opening of its two latest multiplexes in Nanjing and Xuzhou, and for selecting our cinema projection systems to deliver an unparalleled viewing experience for movie-goers. We are confident that the Christie Solaria Series and 6P laser projection systems installed at both venues will redefine the cinematic experience by allowing audiences to enjoy brighter, clearer and more vibrant visuals like never before. We also look forward to a stronger strategic relationship with Suning Cinema in the near future." Christie's strategic partnership and Suning Cinema has seen the burgeoning cinema chain installing Christie cinema solutions in its multiplexes located across China, such as Shanghai, Zhenjiang, Anshan and Baotou. These include the award-winning RGB laser projection system comprising 6P and enhanced wavelength diversification configurations. Christie's pinnacle projection technology has seen widespread adoption due to its 4K resolution, high frame rate
capabilities, a color gamut that exceeds the DCI P3 color and replicates the Rec. 2020 space, scalable light source up to 60,000 lumens, long operational and stable life (30,000 hours to 80% brightness), and built-in redundancies for improved reliability. With over 85 years of experience in cinema, Christie is the industry's preferred cinema solutions provider. The company has accumulated a unique wealth of knowledge and experience with the completion of more than 48,000 installations around the world and over 10 million screenings so far. As the industry evolves, Christie is committed to ongoing innovation to meet the changing requirements of filmmakers, production houses and exhibitors, as well as audience demands for epic cinematic experiences. These include the world's first commercial high brightness 4K RGB laser projection system in Shanghai in 2014, and the screening of Director Ang Lee's Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk in 4K, 3D, 120fps at 28fL in 2016.
• TECHNOLOGY •
Michael's Green Paper Michael Karagosian speaks about the motion picture industry's transition to digital cinema, the most significant transition in motion pictures since the introduction of sound. In this issue, he speaks onhow cinema accessible signing standard is an bad idea, and more‌
Cinema Accessible Signing Standard a Bad Idea Several people wrote asking about standards for sign language display in cinemas. This may sound contradictory coming from the person who drove standards for closed captions in cinema, but the call for sign language standards is not the right path. I'll explain why. Cinema closed captions were first introduced in the 90's with the WGBH Rear Window Captioning system. It was based on the clever idea of hanging a large digital text display in the rear of the auditorium, and placing a reflector at those seats where the closed caption was to be delivered. The reflector would be positioned at the seat by the audience member to capture the light of the rear display, allowing the audience member to see the closed caption text in front of them. The key point to remember is that this wasn't a system one could put in his or her pocket. It had to be purchased and installed by the cinema owner. The market for the Rear Window system was driven by the passing in 1990 of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act. Notably, the ADA assigns the burden of providing access for those with disabilities to the public facing entity. For movie theaters, it could be (and was) argued that with the availability of the Rear Window Captioning system, theater owners were liable to install them. Numerous cinema owners complied. But these were expensive systems, and it was not practical to install them in every auditorium. Further, the WGBH business model restricted competition, keeping the cost high,
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and further limiting its use. Overall, the WGBH system was a step in the right direction for those with disabilities, but it was by no means ideal, including for the cinema owner. With the rollout of digital cinema, it was possible to enable closed captions in new ways. Smart phone technology had not yet emerged when we studied the steps needed for a standard. Looking back, the first iPhone was sold four months after the release of the SMPTE DCinema Closed Captions Study Group Report, back in 2007. The style of solution that would empower cinema owners with competitive solutions was to include the closed closed caption text in the Composition. (If you aren't familiar with the Composition, see Cinepedia.) The closed caption text would be passed to competitive closed caption systems using a standardized protocol that would be made available in all digital cinema servers. This worked. The standardized protocol, generally known as CSP/RPL, is available in all digital cinema systems today, and in particular, is actively in use in the US and Canadian markets. Sign language for cinema is a new innovation. I'm told by multiple sources (but unable to confirm) that Brazil and France will soon require support for sign language display in cinemas. Interest has been expressed in standards. But, unlike 10 years ago when the SMPTE Study Group report was published, we're in a world where smart phones are prevalent. Clever apps for smart phones have been available for
some time that will synchronize and display closed captions to the user. Many of these same app providers are pursuing the display of sign language. There are mixed reactions to the existence of accessibility apps on personal smart phones. Some view smart phones and accessibility apps as a problem. I say this is a step in the right direction. The purpose of personal apps is to insure that those with disabilities are not disenfranchised. For many with disabilities, the phone is an important tool. Rather than circumvent its usage, and disenfranchise the app providers themselves, it would be smarter to allow the apps to take their course. If there are complaints about smart phone usage in cinemas, it would mean two things. First, the technology is working, and users are presumably getting what they need. And second, it would give the technology providers behind the apps the incentive to devise ways to address the complaints. If addressing the complaints leads to standards, then so be it. But let's wait for that conversation to take place, if it ever does. Rather than disenfranchise the sign language app companies that are already doing the work, it would be smarter to encourage and support them. By doing so, it removes the burden of investment from cinema owners, while enabling a more personal experience for those with disabilities. Let's wait and see how this evolves before determining the need for distribution standards.
• TECHNOLOGY • Don't Rollout Without Reading This In talks earlier this year given at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to the European Digital Cinema Forum (EDCF), and another at the Beijing Film Festival Technology Forum (pardon my plugs), I veered away from the usual overview of new technologies and into the chasm of technology rollout in cinema. My point was that there is too much expectation of the role of standards and other authoritative entities, such as DCI, when it comes to rolling out a new technology. Technology rollout post digital transition requires different thinking. Three examples come to mind that cover the gamut of rollouts, starting with the digital transition. The digital transition was conceived as a replacement for film technology that would deliver significant economic benefits to distributors. The transition was a one-time event, with unique and important roles played by DCI and SMPTE, and, of course, the Virtual Print Fee (VPF) subsidy. The replacement of film projectors with digital projectors worldwide required an investment of around US$8B. Assurances were needed for financial institutions to pony up the necessary capital. Those assurances came in the form of a guarantee by studios to release films digitally, and assurance that the technology was stable. After all, Hollywood studios have a history of not getting in line when it comes to new technologies. (Remember HD-DVD and Blu-Ray?) Several pillars in the transition provided these assurances. The DCI specification, and the DCI Compliance program, provided assurance that a secondary market for equipment would exist. Much of this work had its roots in more inclusive discussions that took place in SMPTE. Further, studios agreed to apply savings realized when shipping digital prints in lieu of film prints, called Virtual Print Fees, to help retire the equipment loans. So much of the cash was coming from strong, known companies. To tie the knot, only DCI compliant equipment could receive a VPF, ensuring that a uniform standard would rollout. As a result, the digital cinema rollout was an impressive success. The graphic below illustrates the simplicity and elegance of the financing mechanism.
The Digital Cinema Transition (not to be repeated)
But the key elements that drove the success of the digital transition no longer exist. There is no longer a financial incentive for studios to subsidize the rollout of new equipment. (To those who think there will be another VPF: get over it.) DCI and SMPTE still perform useful roles, but not the critical roles once attributed to them. One doesn't always need DCI's blessing, nor SMPTE standards, to succeed in the rollout of new technology. Looking back, the cinema market today looks a lot like the cinema market in the 1980's and 1990's. Market leaders drive new cinema technology, not standards. If you think about it, the struggle that occurs when there is no market leader is in plain sight. SMPTE DCP is the poster child, and my second example. It was standardized in 2009, and with luck, a constrained version may actually rollout in 2017, 8 years later. For reasons too simple to admit, SMPTE DCP is not backwards compatible with Interop DCP, the draft version of the standard. Interop DCP enabled the rollout of digital cinema, and operates daily on over 160,000 screens worldwide. SMPTE DCP is the engineering attempt for a perfect world. The transition to SMPTE DCP represents a cost, not a savings. The only way proponents could generate value for SMPTE DCP was to hold back further development of Interop DCP (the documents for which to this day remain hidden on a passworded FTP site). Without further elaboration, this is not the model to copy when rolling out a new technology. However, that hasn't stopped some from trying. A successful market-oriented model for rollout was that of Dolby Atmos, my third example. Dolby took a lot of
heat for not pursuing a standard upfront, and one can only imagine the internal kicking and screaming that led to the eventual opening up of the distribution format (no license required) in September 2016. But don't let the bloody details detract from a successful strategy. Dolby's technology rollout was successful precisely because it wasn't constrained by the peer scrutiny of a standards effort. Further, Dolby provided financial support for its early rollout. It has been criticized for pouring its own money into its rollout, but pay attention: this is how the cinema game is played. Recall that studios also had to pour money into the digital transition to make it a success. There is a standards effort for immersive sound now in progress, and it invokes a déjà vu experience: the strife for perfection while the market passes by. If it takes less than 8 years for the standard to replace Atmos, I will be the first to be impressed. The lessons learned from the three examples above: • • •
Rollouts work when the economics work. Standards are optional. When considering a standard, go back to step 1.
One last point. The roles of DCI and SMPTE have matured. DCI is the owner of the DCI specification. It operates the DCI compliance program. DCI compliance establishes the baseline performance of cinema equipment, including, and most notably, security performance. DCI, on occasion, issues guidelines for new technology, but guidelines without teeth produce mixed results. SMPTE, as a standards body, is best thought of as a tool. Used properly, the tool can deliver great results. Used poorly, and you get what you get. If relying on either of these organizations to validate your new technology to the market, good luck with that. Even if such validation exists, remember to revisit step 1 above. (The author Michael Karagosian is President of MKPE Consulting LLC, consultancy for business development of new technologies in cinema, and publisher of mkpeReport) June-August 2017
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• TECHNOLOGY •
The 'Flying' Video Wall Beaver Group provides Europe's leading cinema operators with cutting-edge digital solutions. One of its latest digital marvels is the 'flying' video wall at Showcase Cinema de Lux Southampton in Westquay Shopping Centre. It's a great example of the complex and intricate installations Beaver Group delivers. Beaver Group is one of the finest providers of digital solutions across the spectrum of industries. It specializes in digital signage, web, mobile and interactive solutions. The group provides Europe's leading cinema operators with cutting-edge digital technology, creative content services, live box office systems, digital menus and signage, customdesigned video walls and continuous operational support.
One-of-a-Kind Installation One of its latest digital marvels is the 'flying' video wall at Showcase Cinema de Lux Southampton in Westquay Shopping Centre. It's a great example of the complex and intricate installations Beaver Group
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delivers. "We were challenged with creating this one-of-a-kind
installation for the main lobby by Showcase Cinema and their
• TECHNOLOGY •
architects, JTDA. In May 2016, Beaver Group began work on the initial concepts for the installation, producing isometric models, concept drawings, 3D renders and test videos," says Peter Critchley, Managing Director, Beaver Group. Mounted over 11 metres high in the lobby using a complex steel cable suspension system, the video wall canvas displays content at a massive 8K resolution. The Beaver Group inhouse motion graphics team conceptualised and produced the content using a mixture of 3D animation, motion graphics, photography and distributor supplied assets.
the concession stands was developed and shot in-house using Beaver Group's custom built kitchen studio using a 2K Phantom Flex camera. Filming the content using such a high-speed camera allowed them to create dramatic super-slow-motion content running across multiple screens as a single canvas. Other digital installations for the cinema include digital concession screens, live box office signage screens, video walls, digital one-sheets as well as a unique 40 screen curved in the main foyer. The company's signage.ninja management system gives the local manager to schedule and change product features and promotions, while a central system also allows Head Office to maintain and manage
products across their entire estate whilst still allowing local store level updates and changes.
Other Digital Offerings at Showcase Cinema de Lux There are also 21 screens across concession stands, bars and party rooms and six dedicated screens at the Box Office area. The content for
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• TECHNOLOGY •
Samsung’s New Cinema Screen Samsung Electronics unveiled its latest visual display blockbuster, the new Samsung Cinema Screen. As the world’s first High Dynamic Range LED theatre display, the cinema screen delivers unprecedented picture quality and brings movies and other on-screen contents to life with higher vibrancy and accuracy. Samsung formally demonstrated the cinema LED screen at a series of preview demonstrations during CinemaCon. President of Tour and Cinema Solutions Group.
The 34 foot Samsung Cinema Screen easily accommodates modern theatre dimensions. In addition to delivering LED picture quality at 4K (4,096 x 2,160) resolution, the screen also exceeds the highly-esteemed DCI specifications used to ensure a uniform and high level of technical performance, reliability, and quality in digital cinema. As a result, the new Samsung screen’s performance surpasses traditional projection-based technologies’ visual capabilities for a realistic presentation and is guaranteed to impress even the most entertainment-savvy guests. “As the popularity of advanced athome entertainment systems and streaming platforms increases, theatres must reposition themselves as a destination for an incomparable viewing experience that consumers simply cannot encounter anywhere else,” said Sang Kim, Vice President of Samsung Electronics America. “Our new Cinema Screen technology brings a more powerful and high-quality picture to the big screen, creating an environment where viewers feel as if they are part of every scene.” The Cinema Screen’s direct-lit LED technology truly delivers High Dynamic Range (HDR) to the cinema, showcasing on-screen contents at a peak brightness level nearly 10 times greater than that offered by standard cinema projectors (146fL versus 14fL) with improved uniformity and free of optical distortion and interference. This futuristic exhibition also offers a highly accurate and superior color
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As the demands for movie theatre space evolve, the Samsung Cinema Screen offers the versatility to satisfy various audience needs. The screen maintains its advanced presentation capabilities in ambient lighting conditions regardless of the featured on-screen content and accommodates users who wish to utilize their theatres for corporate events, concert and sports event viewing, and gaming competitions.
presentation that will capture the viewer’s eye. Complementary ultracontrast and low tone grayscale settings enable the screen to showcase both brightest colours and the deepest blacks at a nearly infinity: 1 contrast ratio. The innovation present in Cinema Screen will be matched with an innovative audio solution powered by Harman Professional Solutions’ Cinema Group (a recently completed acquisition) and Samsung’s Audio Lab. Details will be forthcoming about this combined evolution in cinema “Sight & Sound.” “Harman is excited to continue its collaboration with the Samsung Cinema Screen team and the Samsung Audio Lab. With our expertise in cinema sound systems, we look forward to helping to extend Samsung’s leadership in Visual Display solutions into the theatre,” said Brian Divine, Vice
“The launch of our cinema LED display is merely the latest step toward our vision for a complete end-to-end theatre experience powered by digital signage,” said Seog-gi Kim, Senior Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Through modern technologies ranging from touch-screen self-ticketing kiosks to digital concession menu boards and interactive movie posters, Samsung already is helping theatres improve customer engagement and boost operational efficiency. We look forward to continuing to serve as a total solutions provider for the theatre industry and finding new and exciting ways to improve the customer experience.” The digital cinema display has passed DCI compliance tests and can thus now be used to screen new Hollywood releases in cinemas. Currently, only Christie, Barco, NEC and Sony projectors have been passed as DCI compliant cinema display devices.
PREVIEW
19-22 June 2017 Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona (CCIB) Barcelona, Spain
The 26th Edition of CineEurope promises to bring you another year with the very best in exclusive studio screenings and product presentations, cinematic technologies and innovations and educational seminars to keep your business on top of industry trends. You get to network with a pool of over 3,500 industry peers from distribution and exhibition to technology and concessions. Produced by The Film Expo Group, CineEurope is the official convention of the International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), an international trade association representing cinema exhibitors and their national associations across 36 European territories whose focus is to better promote the social, cultural and economic value of cinemas in Europe and internationally. CineEurope is the longest-running and most successful European convention and trade show for major, regional, and independent cinema exhibitors. Theatre owners and operators, and those allied to the industry, come to CineEurope each year to seek knowledge on the latest trends and issues; learn about new marketing ideas; network with industry peers; see Hollywood,
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international, and independent films and product presentations to make informed booking decisions; and to find the latest and best technologies, entertainment, services, comforts, and conveniences to make their theatres must-attend destinations. If you want to remain competitive and keep your audience coming back to your theatre, CineEurope is a must visit!
Awards & Recognition CineEurope's 2017 Honorees comScore European Box Office Achievement Award - Walt Disney Studios' Rogue One: A Star Wars Story UNIC Award of Achievement - Piero Fumagalli, Chairman and CEO, Arcadia Cinemas
FLOOR PLAN
EVENT CALENDER
2017 19-22 JUNE CINEEUROPE BARCELONA, SPAIN www.cineeurope.net
8-9 AUGUST BIG CINE EXPO CHENNAI, INDIA www.bigcineexpo.com
19-22 SEPTEMBER KINO EXPO ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA www.kinoexpo.ru
27-29 SEPTEMBER
Independent Producer of the Year Telecinco Cinema
Exhibitor Profile •
3D
International Exhibitor of the Year Eddy Duquenne, Kinepolis Group
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Alternative Content Programs
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Amusements/Gaming
International Distributors of the Year - Lee Jury & Tony Chambers, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International
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ATMs
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Beer/Wine/Spirits/Alternative Drinks
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Booth/Projection Equipment
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Concessions
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Construction/Architecture
CineEurope Founder's Recognition Jose "Pepe" Batlle Joost Bert, Kinepolis The Coca-Cola Company, Accepted by Stephane Monnot Jean Labé
Financial Services
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Hearing Devices
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Immersive Seating Immersive Sound Systems
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Interior Design
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Janitorial Supplies
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Kiosks
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Lasers
Visitor Profile
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Lighting
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Cinema Owners/Operators
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Lobby Displays
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Cinema Managers
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Mobile Merchandise
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Cinema Marketing Executives
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Promotional Companies
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Cinema Operations Executives
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Real Estate
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Concessions Purchasers
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Seating
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Film Buyers/Bookers
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Screens
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Film Distributors
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Signage
CINEASIA HONG KONG www.cineasia.com
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Film Producers & Filmmakers
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Social Networking
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Hollywood, European and Independent Studios
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Sound/Speakers/Amplifiers
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Special Services
DECEMBER
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Marketing/Media Professionals
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Ticketing/POS Solutions
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Uniforms
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Walls/Acoustic Panels
Tomás Naranjo, Kelonik Lauge Nielsen, Pathé Jaime & Camillo Tarrazón, ACEC
8-12 OCTOBER AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL MOVIE CONVENTION GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA www.movieconvention.com.au
23-26 OCTOBER SHOWEAST FLORIDA, USA www.showeast.com
12-14 DECEMBER
ISB EXPO DUBAI, UAE www.isbexpo.com
2018 3-5 APRIL CHINA THEATER & CINEMA GUANGZHOU, CHINA www.gtcff.com
MARCH FICCI FRAMES MUMBAI, INDIA www.ficci-frames.com
23-26 APRIL CINEMACON LAS VEGAS, USA www.cinemacon.com
June-August 2017
Digital Camera Equipment
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EXPOCINE SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL www.expocine.com.br
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Ad Weststrate
PREVIEW
8-9 August 2017 Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai, India
An Interactive Platform by TheatreWorld With 18 years of enriching experience in the culture of cinema exhibition, TheatreWorld magazine now brings its very own expo for the exhibition community -BigCineExpo! After the grand successful opening of Big Cine Expo in 2016, TheatreWorld presents its second edition of Big Cine Expo. With the who's who of cinema exhibition coming together on a single interactive platform, Big Cine Expo 2016 at Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai became the first-of-its-kind event in Asia to successfully present an International Trade Show & Convention for Multiplexes, SingleScreens and Malls in India. TheatreWorld, a magazine for Theatre Owners, Cinema Equipment Manufacturers and , Technology Providers, has been an innovative, one-of-its-kind publication for global Cinema and Entertainment Industry for the last 18 years. With its international reach, TheatreWorld is strongly focused on Single-Screen and Multiplexes cinema market. Keeping a close watch on latest technological developments and market trends, the magazine has been constantly updating the world community with the news and views
in the ever-changing cinema exhibition business. Backed by 18 years of its experience in the culture of cinema exhibition TheatreWorld now brings a n brand new expo for the exhibition community, BigCineExpo! BigCineExpo 2017 is an interactive and value-added platform for Theatre Owners, Design Consultants, Equipment Manufacturers, System Integrators, Project Management Professionals, Industry Stakeholders and the user community of SingleScreen and Multiplex cinema entertainment in Asia and India.
HIGHLIGHTS Indian industry is second only to Hollywood in size India produces highest number of movies in the world (1100++ movies in 2014) India is one of the world's emerging economies with the entertainment sector occupying a dominant position
South India has a massive movie industry size with 6,000 of the total estimated 9,500 screens in the country. With 70% of India's total number of cinemas in South India, it also produces 82% of the total movies in the country BigCineExpo is poised to be the only expo of its kind in India dedicated to all aspects of cinema exhibition Chennai is the main destination for buyers in South India for cinema exhibition equipment Chennai Trade Centre is one of India's best state-of-the-art infrastructures to showcase products
LIST OF ATTENDEES • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Cinema Theatre Owners Top Theatre Top Management Theatre Managers Theatre Technicians Architects Cinema Interior Designers Projectionists Sound Specialists Acoustical Consultants Theatre Consultants AV Installers Cinema Consultants Mall Operators Top Studio Operators Cinema Theatre Contractors June-August 2017
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WHY IN INDIA?
WHY IN CHENNAI?
EXHIBITOR PROFILE
Asian countries are surging ahead. India is one of the world's emerging economies with the entertainment sector occupying a dominant position. In fact, Indian cinema industry is second only to Hollywood in size. South India, having the highest number of cinema screens and highest number of movie releases, is the top market for cinema exhibition in India.
Chennai, one of India's top metro cities, is the capital of Tamil Nadu state and is home to some of the greatest cinemas and movie culture.
Exhibitors dealing in the following:
The 21st century belongs to Asia, more specifically to China and India, the two fastest growing economies of the world. By 2025, China and India are expected to be the second and third largest economies respectively.
South India produces 82% of the total movies in the country!
There is a huge appetite for technical knowhow and equipment owing to the untapped potential in the cinema theatre market in India and the other Asian countries There is a huge gap that needs to be filled in. And here lies an opportunity. For a viable platform in India to showcase competencies, safeguard interests and share expertise with Asia and the rest of world.
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June-August 2017
Chennai is the major destination for buyers in South India for cinema exhibition equipment. With 6,000 out of a total of estimated 9,500 screens, 70% of India's of cinemas is in South India.
Chennai Trade Centre is a fully airconditioned trade centre, codeveloped by International Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) of Pragati Maidan, New Delhi fame. It is one of India's best state-of-the-art infrastructures to showcase products. Chennai Trade Centre is ideally located near airport, star hotels, shopping centres and the famous Marina beach.
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Screens 3D System 3D Glasses 4D System Digital Cinema E-Cinema Projectors Speakers Security System Amplifiers Processor Servers Seating Lighting Signage TMS Acoustics Carpet Concession In-Theatre Dining Box-office Lamps Architecture Amusement Gaming Immersive Seating Ticketing Kiosks Mobile Payment Cables Popcorn Merchandise HVAC Real Estate Interior Designing Automation Franchising
F U T U R E
R E L E A S E S
A glimpse of movies coming soon… Wonder Woman
Cars 3 Production Warner Bros.
Production Walt Disney
Director Patty Jenkins
Director Brian Fee
Starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine
Starring Owen Wilson, Bonnie Hunt
Genre Action, Adventure
Genre Animation, Family
The Mummy
47 Meters Down Production Universal Pictures
Production Entert. Studios
Director Alex Kurtzman
Director Johannes Roberts
Starring Tom Cruise, Sofia Boutella
Starring Mandy Moore, Claire Holt
Genre Action, Adventure
Genre Thriller, Action
The Book of Henry
Megan Leavey Production Bleecker Street
Production Focus Features
Director Gabriela
Director Colin Trevorrow
Starring Kate Mara, Edie Falco
Starring Naomi Watts, Jaeden Lieberher
Genre Drama
Genre Drama
June-August 2017
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F U T U R E Transformers: The Last Knight
Production Columbia Pictures
Director Michael Bay
Director Jon Watts
Starring Mark Wahlberg, Jerrod Carmichael
Starring Tom Holland, Michael Keaton
Genre Sci-Fi Action
Genre Action, Adventure
A Ghost Story Production TriStar Pictures
Production A24
Director Edgar Wright
Director David Lowery
Starring Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey
Starring Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara
Genre Comedy, Action
Genre Drama
Amityville: The Awakening
War for the Planet of the Apes
Production Dimension Films
Production 20th Century Fox
Director Franck Khalfoun
Director Matt Reeves
Starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Bella Thorne
Starring Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson
Genre Thriller, Horror
Genre Action, Sci-Fi
Despicable Me 3
June-August 2017
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Production Paramount Pictures
Baby Driver
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R E L E A S E S
Wish Upon
Production Universal Pictures
Production Broad Green
Director Pierre Coffin
Director John Leonetti
Starring Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig
Starring Joey King, Ryan Phillippe
Genre Animation, Family
Genre Horror
F U T U R E Dunkirk
R E L E A S E S Detroit
Production Warner Bros.
Production Annapurna Pic.
Director Christopher Nolan
Director Kathryn Bigelow
Starring Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy
Starring John Boyega, Will Poulter
Genre Thriller, Action
Genre Drama
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature
Production STX Entertainment
Production Open Road Films
Director Luc Besson
Director Cal Brunker
Starring Dane DeHaan, Cara Delevingne
Starring Will Arnett, Katherine Heigl
Genre Sci-Fi, Adventure
Genre Animation, Family
An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power
Annabelle: Creation
Production Paramount Pic.
Production New Line Cinema
Director Bonni Cohen, Jon Shenk
Director David F. Sandberg
Starring Al Gore
Starring Stephanie Sigman, Talitha Bateman
Genre Documentary
Genre Thriller, Horror
Good Time
The Dark Tower Production Columbia Pictures
Production A24
Director Nikolaj Arcel
Director Ben Safdie, Josh Safdie
Starring Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey Genre Action, Adventure
Starring Robert Pattinson, Jennifer Jason Leigh Genre Drama, Crime
June-August 2017
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F U T U R E The Hitman's Bodyguard
R E L E A S E S Chef
Production Summit Entert.
Production Eros International
Director Patrick Hughes
Director Raja Krishna Menon
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson
Starring Saif Ali Khan, Padmapriya
Genre Comedy, Action
Genre Drama
Leap!
Munna Michael Production The Weinstein
Production Next Gen Films
Director Eric Summer, Eric Warin
Director Sabbir Khan Starring Tiger Shroff, Nidhhi Agerwal
Starring Elle Fanning, Nat Wolff
Genre Action
Genre Animation, Fantasy
Raabta
Toilet – Ek Prem Katha Production Maddock Films
Production Abundantia
Director Dinesh Vijan
Director Shree Narayan Singh
Starring Sushant Singh Rajput, Kriti Sanon
Starring Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Pednekar
Genre Action, Romance
Genre Drama
Tubelight
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June-August 2017
Vivegam Production Salman Khan Films
Production Sathya Jyothi
Director Kabir Khan
Director Siva
Starring Salman Khan, Sohail Khan
Starring Ajith Kumar, Kajal Aggarwal
Genre Drama
Genre Action, Romance