Arts Alliance Media Announces First European Commercial Digital Cinema Virtual Print Fee Agreements with Twentieth Century Fox and Universal Pictures
Twentieth Century Fox, Universal Pictures International and Arts Alliance Media, Europe’s leading provider of digital film distribution services, have reached non-exclusive long term Virtual Print Fee (VPF) agreements for digital cinema deployment across Europe, for close to 7000 screens over the next few years. Under the landmark agreements, Fox and Universal have committed to distribute feature film content digitally to Arts Alliance Media DCI-compliant digital cinema projection systems throughout Europe; to the UK and Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Spain, Italy, the Nordic region and the Benelux. Arts Alliance Media is also engaged in active negotiations with other studios including Buena Vista International and Paramount Pictures International. The VPF business model is a means of financing the conversion to digital cinema, where both distributor and exhibitor contribute over time towards the total cost of the digital projection and server equipment.
Julian Levin, Executive Vice President, Digital Exhibition and Non-Theatrical Sales and Distribution, Twentieth Century Fox commented, “This arrangement represents the very first significant plan to finance and roll out DCI compliant digital projection systems across Europe. Fox remains committed to the transition to a digital cinema platform and looks forward to supplying its movies to digital projection systems installed by Arts Alliance Media. The image quality, content, security and distribution/exhibition efficiencies, including 3D exhibition, offered by digital projection clearly exceeds 35mm film. We are delighted to have closed this arrangement with our colleagues at Arts Alliance Media who have the experience and technical expertise to manage this process.”
Duncan Clark, Executive Vice President of Universal Pictures International agreed, “Arts Alliance's strategic move into this all-important arena is warmly welcomed and supported by Universal Pictures. The digital world is the future, and we as a studio are committed to its continual and sustained growth. We look forward to supplying our movies to this new digital platform and, along with audiences, reaping the rewards by continuing to enhance the theatrical experience.”
Howard Kiedaisch, AAM’ s Chief Executive Officer said, “These milestone agreements finally offer European exhibitors a viable commercial model to adapt their screens to digital cinema and put together a sustainable rollout strategy. The support of Fox and Universal is a strong endorsement of AAM and our ability to handle the complexities of a pan European deployment. We will announce further signings with other studios and independent distributors shortly.”
Fiona Deans, AAM’s Director of Digital Cinema added, “We are delighted to conclude these agreements and finally lift the roadblock on European digital cinema rollout. Undoubtedly, this is also a huge step forward for Arts Alliance Media and we are thrilled to secure the commitment and support of Fox and Universal, truly dedicated digital cinema pioneers.”
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