17/08/2006

European films will soon have a much bigger chance to reach UK audiences as the Digital Screen Network – the £12m scheme funded by the National Lottery through the UK Film Council – has successfully completed its pilot phase, soon equipping 240 screens and 210 cinemas with state-of-the-art digital technology. 70 cinemas are equipped so far and 50 of them – mostly in the North West, Yorkshire and London’s West End – have been thoroughly road-tested. Now that the scheme can officially roll out nationwide, the extra 170 screens are planned to get their digital equipment by spring 2007.

John Woodward, CEO of the UK Film Council, said: “For the first time ever, film fans right across the UK will get more choice at the cinema. The public will have better access to a wider range of films on the big screen, from all time classics like Black Narcissus to Michel Gondry’s The Science of Sleep [+see also:
trailer
film profile], rather than having to travel miles to the see the film or waiting for the DVD”.

UK Film Minister Shaun Woodward added: "It's great news that 200 screens will be equipped to show films digitally. More film fans throughout the UK will get to see specialised films, such as The Beat That My Heart Skipped [+see also:
trailer
film profile] and Transamerica, at the cinema."

The UK is one of the most expensive countries in the world to release a film. Blockbusters are often issued on around 1,000 prints, but most specialised films (including foreign language titles) are released with an average 20-print run. Last year, around £300 million was spent on distributing and marketing films theatrically in the UK but only £18 million (6%) was spent on specialised films, although their audiences have been steadily increasing since 2000 (up 141%).

Thanks to digital copies costing approximately 10% less than traditional 35mm prints, UK distributors will be able to increase the print run for specialised films across the UK and, with the Digital Screen Network, up to 75,000 extra screenings will be offered to UK cinemagoers, rising to 165,000 in 2010.