Arts Alliance Media has reached non-exclusive long-term agreements with two distributors for digital cinema rollout in France. MK2 Distribution and DistriB Films have become the first French independent distributors to support the DCI-compliant rollout by signing up to 10 year commitments. Both distributors will provide feature films in digital format and will make provisional contributions towards the digital cinema deployment costs of AAM-deployed screens. The terms of the agreement adhere to the recent legislation passed in France outlining the framework for distributors' contribution to the digitization of screens. This milestone within the independent sector represents a significant step forward towards the successful conversion to digital within the French cinema industry. In November 2007 the first European cinema chain France’s CGR Cinemas signed up with AAM to convert 100 percent of its 400 screens to digital. This deployment is now complete and AAM is working towards the digitization of complexes belonging to independent exhibitors. The agreements with MK2 and DistriB Films cover all screens installed by Arts Alliance Media in France. Isabelle Nerin sales manager distribution of AAM says “We are very proud to be the first deploying entity to sign long term VPF deals with French distributors. This shows that our offer is adaptable to all types of films and distribution practices. Signing established distributors such as MK2 as well as new and upcoming companies like DistriB Films will ensure that a wide diversity of films is available in digital for AAM’s exhibitor clients.” Matthieu Bardel CEO of DistriB Films says “We are extremely pleased to be the first distributor in France to sign a long term partnership with Arts Alliance Media which with CGR has been the pioneer of digitisation in France. As a new distributor we are delighted to jump directly to digital distribution and look forward to the benefits this provides.” DistriB Films plans to distribute eight to ten films per year. Nathanaël Karmitz CEO of MK2 says “We’re delighted to have signed this agreement with AAM which will allow us to contribute to the digitisation of French cinemas using a reliable business model in accordance with the CNC legislation.” Gwendal Auffret AAM’s senior vice president of digital cinema says “Now that the law on digital projection has been voted upon all the elements are in place for French distributors to join AAM’s initiative and help French cinemas digitize quickly and on a large scale.” France is currently one of the leading territories in Europe for digital conversion and has the largest number digital screens as well as the largest number of 3D screens in Western Europe. AAM signed CGR Cinemas one of France’s largest chains with 400 screens to its rollout scheme in 2007. AAM also has existing VPF deals with five Hollywood studios. Arts Alliance Media www.artsalliancemedia.com
