Liège, Belgium—Sep 7, 2005
DIGITAL CINEMA – In addition to Hollywood blockbusters, XDC is processing the digital prints of European films. Official Partner of Festival de Cannes, XDC is now associated with Festival International du Film Francophone de Namur.
The big roll-out launched by XDC in May 2005 is going well ahead. More than 130
European screens are now equipped by XDC for top quality play out of digital
movies. “And we will continue far beyond …” says Bernard Collard, General
Manager of XDC. “We’re well on our way to our objective or 200 screens by the
end 2005 … and 500 screens by early 2007”.
Concerning digital content, XDC is proud to have a lot of “blue chip” references
: Hollywood blockbusters like Star Wars Episode III - The Revenge of the Sith,
Sin City, Madagascar, Valiant, The Island, … but also Hollywood classics,
“regenerated” through XDC technology : Gone with the wind, Singin'in the rain,
Casablanca, Wizard of Oz, …
Now, XDC is processing the digital prints for European films. First of all,
Swedish titles, which will be played on more than 40 screens from the far North
to the South in Sweden (“… which will be the most advanced digital cinema
country in Europe by end September” highlights Bernard Collard) : Steget Efter,
Tjenare Kungen, Carambole, … but also French speaking movies : Friday or an
other day, (for which Philippe Nahon gained the Prize for an Actor during
Locarno Festival 2005), Congo River, and … the last movie from Coline Serreau,
Saint-Jacques … La Mecque. “The digital premiere of these three titles will be
screened during 20th Festival International du Film Francophone de Namur …” says
Fabrice Testa, XDC’s Marketing Manager. “Adding to its selection as the Official
Partner of Festival de Cannes … XDC is now the Official Partner of Festival de
Namur”. Indeed, XDC is exclusively providing all the digital technology from
mastering to play-back for all digital cinema films being shown this year.
“Our satisfaction is not only to be chosen as partner of Festival de Namur, but,
most of all, that two of the movies screened digitally have been co-financed by
EVS Group through Tax Shelter Belgian project,” explains Laurent Minguet, CEO of
XDC ... “More than ever, XDC’s initiative is now a reality which allows
distributors and exhibitors, not only to boost box-office, while the market is
experiencing serious drops, but most of all, to offer to low-budget film makers
and directors the opportunity of a better circulation of their movies ”.
