MUMBAI: Digital Finance Ltd of Tipperary, Ireland has signed digital cinema deployment deals with four major Hollywood studios namely Walt Disney Company UK, Paramount Pictures (UK), Twentieth Century Fox, Universal Pictures International UK and Eire. These agreements will enable DFL to facilitate the conversion of cinemas from film to digital projection throughout the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the UK.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures senior vice president, Worldwide Digital Cinema and Cinema Programming Jason Brenek said, "We are thrilled to be working with Kevin Cummins and his colleagues at Digital Finance Ltd to enable state-of-the-art digital projection in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the UK. Disney is fully-committed to digital cinema and digital 3D and the highest standards of quality these technologies bring to the consumer. We continue to work closely with exhibitors and leading manufacturers to make the transition as smooth and cost effective as possible."
Paramount Pictures’ executive vice president International Distribution & Operations Roger Pollock said: “Digital cinema is the future of our industry and we’re delighted to be working with Digital Finance Ltd. to place Ireland at the forefront of this technology. This is an important step to accelerate the digital conversion and the 3D footprint in the region. We look forward to supplying our movies to this new digital platform and giving moviegoers the highest quality cinema experience available."
Twentieth Century Fox executive vice president Digital Exhibition Julian Levin said, "We are delighted to have closed this deal with DFL. The conversion to a digital projection platform from conventional 35mm film will offer movie goers an enhanced viewing experience in 2D and 3D. We look forward to working with Kevin and everyone at DFL in bringing the conversion to fruition."
Universal Pictures International executive vice president distribution Duncan Clark said, "We’re pleased to be working with Digital Finance Ltd. in converting cinemas to digital projection. Digital cinema is the future of our business, so it’s important we supply our movies to this new digital platform and enhance the movie experience by giving audiences the highest picture and sound quality possible."
DFL is underway with the installation of state-of-the art digital projection equipment in both Ireland and the UK, with 65 screens already deployed. With the commitment of Hollywood studios to support this rollout, exhibitors throughout these territories have a unique opportunity to transition to digital cinema.
Digital Finance Ltd CEO Kevin Cummins said, "We did our homework and analyzed this area thoroughly. DFL presented a unique model to the studios, and our low overhead allows us to offer the best financing package possible to the exhibitor. The ability to rollout to the entire region of Ireland brings an economy of scale not otherwise possible. We’re very grateful for the support received from our friends at the major Hollywood Studios, and the feedback from our exhibition partners has been tremendous. We also extend our thanks to MKPE Consulting LLC for its help in securing these four agreements."
Exhibitors are offered full site 3-D capable projection systems which include a Projector, SMS and TMS. 4K projection systems will be offered when available. According to Cummins, "We carefully chose our technology for its quality, maturity, stability, and proven robustness. Our exhibitors demand a high up-time and fast maintenance, as well as flexibility in 3-D add-on technologies, and we feel we’ve made the best possible choices." DFL will contract with Digital Cinema Ltd in Ireland for its installation and maintenance work.
