Arts Alliance Media Lands Cinema Milestone with ‘Iron Maiden: Flight 666’

Over 100,000 Admissions from Special Event Screenings on 500 Screens in 42 Countries

Arts Alliance Media today announced the success of the award-winning documentary film, ‘IRON MAIDEN: FLIGHT 666’. 70% of the total admissions, which exceeded 100,000, were from one-day-only special event screenings, day and date, on April 21st. The feature length film, released exclusively on digital prints, has achieved the distinction of being the biggest ever worldwide simultaneous release of a documentary film, playing on screens across South and Central America, Mexico, all of Western and most of Eastern Europe, Russia, Japan, Australasia, USA, Canada, South Africa and India. ‘FLIGHT 666’ was distributed by Arts Alliance Media (AAM), in collaboration with EMI Records and Iron Maiden.

‘FLIGHT 666’ achieved the highest per-screen average of any film in the UK on April 21st, with over 12,000 total admissions from only one single evening show on 80 screens, and was the number one film in over 85% of UK sites where it played. It attracted an extraordinary 8,000 admissions at “2 minutes to midnight” in Brazil, a sellout of the 686-seater Finnkino Helsinki screen in Finland, and 5 back-to-back sold out shows at the Mann’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood. The film was extended at many sites due to popular local demand and a few territories opened after April 21st.

The widespread rollout of digital cinema and the resulting lower cost of distribution is enabling more non-traditional releases and alternative content to be played in cinemas, and along with events such as live operas, concerts and sporting events, are providing a new revenue stream for cinema exhibitors. AAM’s Chief Executive Officer, Howard Kiedaisch, commented “We are incredibly happy with this result and consider it to be a massive achievement for everyone involved. It’s a cinema first, proving the opportunities digital brings as this release would never have happened with 35mm prints. My thanks and congratulations go to Iron Maiden, EMI and all our exhibitor and distribution partners around the world. Watch this space!”

Stefan Demetriou, EMI’s Vice President, Visual Content Strategy & Acquisition, said “This film shows once again that Iron Maiden are at the forefront of audiovisual innovation - providing a memorable, big screen experience for their loyal fan base and new Maiden converts worldwide.”

The event has proved incredibly popular with exhibitors as well as audiences around the world, with Bernie Altman, of the independent Scala Cinema in Ludwigsburg, Germany, saying of their midnight show “Wow, what a night! The movie is really great – I feel like I was at a Maiden show last night! The fans were screaming ‘Maiden! Maiden! Maiden!’ shortly before we started the movie, and to say it simply, it was really ‘The Thing!’”

In the UK, ODEON’s Digital Development Director Drew Kaza said “We are delighted with the results for Flight 666. It was the number one film across ODEON on Tuesday night, and it’s by far the most successful alternative content programme ODEON has ever screened.”

The film was sub-distributed by D&E Entertainment in the US, and partner Evan Saxon commented “We were honoured to oversee the US theatrical distribution and marketing for Flight 666 as it was an overwhelming success. Exhibitors in our network sold out many screens and added additional showings with fans loving the experience. This was a first class campaign and we are very pleased that Arts Alliance, EMI and Iron Maiden selected D&E to be a part of their team.” Flight 666 won the audience award for Best Music Documentary at the recent South by South West festival. The film was produced by celebrated award–winning Toronto-based filmmakers Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn of BangerProductions, who have received international critical acclaim for their previous movies, ‘METAL: A HEADBANGERS JOURNEY’ and ‘GLOBAL METAL’. Executive Producers are Rod Smallwood, Stefan Demetriou and Andy Taylor.

Arts Alliance Media have released almost 30 alternative content events since 2007, and upcoming releases include Swan Lake, Ondine (live) and La Traviata (live) from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Arts Alliance Media Contacts: Kate Pidgeon
Arts Alliance Media Ltd
T: +44 (0)20 7751 7512
F: +44 (0)20 7751 7505
kate@artsalliancemedia.com

About Arts Alliance Media: Arts Alliance Media, based in London, Paris and Amsterdam, is Europe's leading provider of digital distribution services, committed to building the largest digital cinema delivery network in Europe, and to supply digital content - films, alternative programming and live events. AAM provides end-to-end digital cinema solutions encompassing equipment selection, financing and integration, operator training, installation and 24/7 helpdesk support, and content management and delivery. Currently, AAM has deployed over 650 digital screens. The company's in-house digital cinema lab has mastered several hundred digital titles to date. AAM also sources, manages and promotes 'Alternative Content' programming for cinemas. AAM was founded in 2003 by Thomas Høegh who serves as Chairman of the board. Arts Alliance Media Directory page Arts Alliance Media Web Site

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