As acquisition and consolidation activity takes hold of the cinema exhibition sector, 31 percent of new screen growth still comes from building new cinemas and screens, according to new research from business information provider IHS Markit. In fact, when the record-breaking acquisition of 7,400 screens from Regal by Cineworld is not included in the total, that percentage share rises to 77 percent.
French company CGR Cinemas and Vox Cinemas are partnering to bring a new premium screen concept to the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Vox Cinemas’ parent company is Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the region. Their new format is called ICE Theatre, for immersive cinema experience.
Sony Electronics is unveiling Sony Digital Cinema, the company’s version of an experiential premium large-format movie theatre auditorium. The first Sony Digital Cinema, which will open this spring at Galaxy Theatre’s deluxe Boulevard Mall site, will be the largest auditorium in the Las Vegas market, further enhancing Galaxy’s distinction as the Best Movie Theater in Las Vegas, according to Las Vegas Weekly and Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Captain Marvel, which opens March 8, will be the third movie from Marvel Studios to be converted into the ScreenX format. It is the latest collaboration between The Walt Disney Studios and CJ 4DPlex and follows the globally successful ScreenX release of Black Panther and Ant-Man and The Wasp. Captain Marvel stars Brie Larson in the title role and is directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck.
Regal will open a ScreenX theatre on February 13 at its Regal Marq*E location in Houston, Texas. The new ScreenX auditorium brings the current Regal ScreenX count to 12 and is also home to the immersive, multi-sensory film format, 4DX, which opened last month. The latest ScreenX opening is part of a previously announced major expansion plan with the Cineworld Group, the parent company of Regal.
Kinepolis and RealD have signed a seven-year contract ensuring that the exhibitor will use RealD 3D equipment and 3D glasses in France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain and Luxembourg. The contract includes Landmark in Canada.
Cinemaxx Global Pasifik has selected Cielo for the digital management of the entire Cinemaxx circuit in Indonesia. Founded in 2014, Cinemaxx, part of Lippo Group, operates 45 theater complexes with 235 screens and growing across Indonesia.
The National Association of Theatre Owners will honor John D. Loeks, chairman of Studio C, with the 2019 NATO Marquee Award during this year’s CinemaCon, according to the conference’s managing director Mitch Neuhauser. CinemaCon, the official convention of NATO, will be held April 1-4, 2019 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Sony Professional Solutions China and GDC Technology Limited today announced that Sony’s SRX-R608-DS dual 4K laser projection system integrated with GDC’s SR-1100 integrated media block has completed the full range of tests necessary to receive compliance from Digital Cinema Initiative. As a result of receiving DCI compliance for this latest projection system, exhibitors are positioned to capitalize on the continuing advancement in laser and high dynamic range technologies with a high-end, reliable product designed for small theatres.
Vieshow Cinemas Hualien Paradiso in Hualien is the first cinema complex in Taiwan to be fully equipped with RGB pure laser projection systems. Five auditoriums are powered by Christie’s 4K CP4325-RGB and 2K CP2315-RGB models.
