Movie King's Game has UK's First Commercial Digital Screening on Digital Screen Network DSN at Curzon Soho Cinema in London

Today at the Curzon Soho cinema a significant event occurred in the life of Digital cinema. Political thriller “King’s Game” was shown from a digital Print as opposed to 35mm at the Curzon Soho cinema in London at a commercial matinee performance. The cinema has installed the digital projector as part of the Phase 1 roll out of the UK Film Council Digital Screen Network.

London, UK (PRWEB) October 5, 2005 -- Today, at the Curzon Soho cinema a significant event occurred in the world of Digital cinema. The political thriller “King’s Game” was shown from a digital Print as opposed to 35mm at the Curzon Soho cinema in London at a commercial performance. The cinema has installed the digital projector as part of the Phase 1 roll out of the UK Film Council Digital Screen Network.

The industry is moving towards digital cinema as it has several advantages, such as lower print and distribution costs, and consistent quality without scratch and deterioration

Besides the Curzon Soho, King’s Game will also be screened digitally from Friday at the Manchester Cornerhouse.

“King’s Game” is released by Dogwoof Pictures who intend to release future titles using Digital Prints, instead of 35mm. These releases will follow traditional theatrical release campaigns, with the one difference being the new digital format proposed by the UK Film Council’s Digital Screen Network (DSN), which has recently begun implementation.

Anna Godas, director at Dogwoof stated that despite the DSN being at an early stage, the opportunities that it offers, are a priori better than continuing with 35mm. “A key benefit of the DSN is that using digital prints will translate as a significant saving on the overall P&A cost which will enable us to increase our spend elsewhere, and release more independent films.”

As with any transition, the move to digital presents new difficulties and challenges, yet, Dogwoof has a positive view on the DSN. Godas continues: “We fully believe this is the way forward, and are more than happy to support this initiative, which we think will in the long term be beneficial to the industry in general, and that will ultimately give all audiences the opportunity to enjoy cinema beyond blockbusters.”

This pioneering move to digital cinema aims to give a boost to independent cinema in the UK and it is exciting that cinemas such as Curzon Soho are at the forefront.

Currently, Theatrical releases require expensive 35mm prints for each cinema costing up to £2000 each. Digital offers a much lower costs at the same or better quality. Andy Whittaker, CEO at Dogwoof, says "The quality of the digital image we saw today at the Curzon cinema was outstanding, and the projectionists were the first ones to agree; the sound and the subtitles were of a far superior quality than a 35mm print. Digital Cinema matches or exceeds a 35mm viewing experience, and we are thrilled that King's Game has pioneered digital cinema in the UK".

Whittaker concludes "this significant step wouldn't have been possible for Dogwoof Pictures without the help and support of Tony Jones, the Curzon Soho team, Arts Alliance Media, and the UK Film Council".

For further information, please contact Andy Whittaker, Dogwoof Pictures, +44-20-7488-0605, andy@dogwoofpictures.com, or Anna Godas anna@dogwoofpictures.com .

Web site: http://www.dogwoofpictures.com

About Dogwoof Pictures:

Dogwoof Pictures is a film distribution company specialising in independent feature films of all genres. Dogwoof Pictures aims to support new and emerging talented filmmakers and deliver smart and exciting films to an audience that is hungry for them. We bring a fresh approach to independent distribution. We are genuinely interested in film, that is why we are coming up with ideas to help the film community, and promote cinema. Headed by Andy Whittaker, founder and Anna Godas. For more information, visit the website at www.dogwoofpictures.com.

About The Digital Screen Network

The Digital Screen Network (DSN) is a scheme run by the UK Film Council (UKFC) to increase the amount of specialised film seen in the UK. The UKFC is providing 240 screens in the UK with funding to access digital cinema equipment, in exchange for the cinema guaranteeing a minimum average number of specialised (arthouse/foreign language) film shows a week. A total of £11.7 million from the UK Film Council’s share of National Lottery funding is to be used to install state-of-the-art digital film projectors and related equipment in 209 cinemas across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with the first cinemas in the network programming screenings later this year.

About Arts and Alliance Digital Cinema

Arts Alliance Digital Cinema (AADC) is the pioneer provider of digital cinema services. It has been selected by the UK Film Council to run the world's first digital screen network. This has dramatic implications on the way cinemas can operate and the way in which consumers will be provided for - offering improved access to specialized film. Distributors with a specialized film can use the digital screen network at a competitive price to distribute films to cinemas in digital format.

About Curzon Soho

The Curzon Soho is one of London's premier art house cinemas. The Curzon Soho was voted as London's Number One cinema by readers of Time Out. Showing a broad-range of art-house films and situated in London's cosmopolitan Soho district, the cinema's three screens are equipped with Dolby THX sound, ample leg-room and excellent screen visibility. 99 Shaftesbury Avenue London W1D 5DY

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