One of the themes of the 13th. annual Conference of Europa Cinemas (Hôtel Méridien Montparnasse, Thursday 12 November to Sunday 16 November) is the cost of digital technology for smaller independent cinemas.
However, this is not just about whether small local businesses can raise the cash to keep up with multiplexes and mid-level cinemas. What effect would an inability to upgrade have on independent filmmaking?
Claude Eric Poiroux, General Director of Europa Cinemas voices his concern.
"Digital is not just a new technology, it will significantly impact the circulation of films and the diversity of existing exhibition structures, especially the smallest ones. We want authorities to see that this change will have an impact on their town, their region. It is possible that cinemas will disappear in smaller towns. It is also possible that if independent cinema suffers then certain European films will suffer, perhaps even disappear. In November we will be asking what could be the outside contribution to support this changeover?"
The host and moderator for the Digital Day is David Hancock, Senior Analyst, Head of Film & Cinema at Screen Digest. On the day, David and the other speakers will be "having a look at public and private models and ... trying to find ways to plug the gap".
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