Advance News of DigiTraining Plus 2009
updated as at 18 February 2009

 
In accordance with its popular six-year tradition, MEDIA Salles takes great pleasure in announcing the 2009 edition of the “DigiTraining Plus” course: “European Cinemas Experiencing New Technologies”, now confirmed for a further 4 years, thanks to the new contract signed with the EU MEDIA Programme, which will hopefully be extended for many more years to come.
 
DGT, the only initiative in the MEDIA Programme to concentrate on new technologies from the cinemas’ point of view, updates and informs exhibitors and representatives of professional associations and public institutions on the latest news and information about digital cinema technology, not only from a technical point of view but also from the perspective of those who may be considering adopting new technologies themselves in the near future.
 
The 2009 Course, which will again take place in London from 25 February to 1 March 2009, will feature a unique and intensive programme. Its main activities will be:

• Lectures, which will cover the main points involved in making the digital transition as trouble-free as possible, whilst also drawing attention to the risks and opportunities involved. Professionals of the cinema industry from other parts of the world will share their knowledge on burning issues such as standards, availability of digital contents and the prospects for 3D. Among the speakers already confirmed are:
   
  • Jens Rykaer, Course Moderator
    
     
  • Michael Karagosian, Senior consultant to the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) on digital cinema                                                >> more info <<
    
     
  • Peter Buckingham, Head of Distribution & Exhibition at the UK Film Council          >> more info <<
    
     
  • Phil Clapp, Chief Executive Officer of the CEA – Cinema Exhibitors’ Association          >> more info <<
    
     
  • Mark Batey, Chief Executive Officer of the Film Distributors' Association (FDA)
    
     
  • Gwendal Auffret, Managing Director for Southern European digital cinema operation, Arts Alliance Media
    
     
  • Rolv Gjestland, Adviser Cinema Technology and Design, FILM&KINO (Norway)        >> more info <<
    
     
  • Nicholas Varley, Managing Director of Park Circus (UK)       >> more info <<
    
     
  • Fabrice Testa, Vice President Sales & Business Development; Judith Michel, Content Services Sales Manager; Bénédicte Pierret, XDC (Belgium)
    
     
  • Giovanni Cozzi , President , Emerging Pictures                >> more info <<
    
     
• Visits to significant sites and screenings: an important source of added value, which greatly enhances the programme, are the field visits to cinemas that already use digital projection, thus giving participants the chance to assess the technology at close quarters, on the basis of hands-on experience.
  In particular, this year the participants will visit:

the Empire Leicester Square Cinema in London, on 26 February 2009
the Vue Princes Quay Cinema in Hull, on 27/28 February 2009

• Reports by exhibitors who have already experimented with digital technology: to make the approach more realistic, the case-study method will be used, to identify the business models that have been adopted in Europe.
   

Venue: London and Hull, Great Britain
Date: 25 February to 1 March 2009
Participation Fee: 700 euro
Deadline for application: 15 January 2009
Scholarships: MEDIA Salles provides a limited number of scholarships to facilitate participation to the “DigiTraining Plus 2009”. To apply for a scholarship please send your request, together with the enrolment form duly filled in, and a letter of motivation. MEDIA Salles will evaluate the requests and contact the selected applicants.