The Independent Cinemas Association of Australia has reached an agreement with Cinedigm to become the digital cinema integrator for independent cinemas in Australia and New Zealand. ICAA signed a memorandum of understanding with Cinedigm to provide virtual print fee contracts VPF administration theatre management systems and other support resources as well as assist ICAA and its members with the deployment of digital systems and service and compliance support services. ICAA will take on a number of local functions as regards the coordination of deployment and service working with local installers and technical personnel. The arrangement is subject to the negotiation and execution of a definitive agreement between Cinedigm and ICAA and its members. By signing the agreement the exhibitors have made a significant commitment towards advancing digital rollout in Australia and New Zealand and will benefit from the incentive provided by the studios through VPF payments; VPF deals remain the main driving force behind digital conversions worldwide. ICAA president Kieren Dell says that Cinedigm has stepped into the integrator role following the recent decision by Omnilab to withdraw from the provision of integrator services. “On behalf of ICAA I would like to thank Omnilab for their hard work in progressing a VPF scheme for independent cinemas in Australia and New Zealand. ICAA welcomes this new partnership with Cinedigm which we believe will deliver substantial benefits for independent cinema operators in Australia and New Zealand ” Dell says. “We are thrilled to put our experience and expertise to work with ICAA in Australia and New Zealand ” says Chris McGurk chairman and CEO of Cinedigm. “We look forward to helping the ICAA member exhibitors bring the many benefits of digital cinema including 3D programming live sporting and music events and alternative content programming to their current movie-going consumers.” “Representatives from Cinedigm and ICAA have visited all the major studios in Los Angeles over the past week and all of those studios have embraced Cinedigm as the integrator for ICAA Members. In addition Cinedigm and ICAA have broadly agreed the key commercial parameters with five of the six major studios and will continue constructive and regular discussions with all studios in order to finalise deals with them in the coming weeks ” McGurk says. Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp www.cinedigm.com
