Cinema Technology Mar. 18, 2024
Register & Log in
X
Sponsors

Industry Partners



The Union Internationale des Cinémas/International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) represents the interests of cinema trade associations and cinema operators covering 37 countries in Europe and neighboring regions.​ ​


Recent News:
Jun 19, 2023 Celebrating European Cinema at CineEurope 2023
UNIC Logo
CineEurope 2024 Logo
Welcoming delegates at the opening ceremony of this year’s CineEurope, Phil Clapp and Laura Houlgatte, President and CEO respectively of the European cinema trade grouping UNIC, today celebrated the unique appeal of the Big Screen experience.

May 24, 2023 Cinionic Named Official Cinema Projection Provider Of CineEurope 2023
UNIC Logo
Barco Logo
CineEurope 2024 Logo
Cinionic, the global leader in laser cinema technology, has partnered with the Film Expo Group to become the Official Cinema Projection Provider of CineEurope for the fifth year in a row. All projection equipment in the CCIB Auditorium will be supplied by Cinionic, powering the studio product presentations and screenings with Laser Projection by Cinionic.

Apr 5, 2023 Hans-Joachim Flebbe to Receive 2023 UNIC Achievement Award
UNIC Logo
CineEurope 2024 Logo
HANS-JOACHIM FLEBBE, Founder and Managing Director of Astor Film Lounge and Zoo Palast, has been named as the 2023 recipient of the UNIC Achievement Award, given each year in recognition of outstanding dedication and service to European cinema exhibition. The Award will be presented as part of the CineEurope Awards Ceremony on Thursday 22 June at the Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain.

Jun 20, 2022 Celebrating the Big Screen Experience at CineEurope 2022
UNIC Logo
Phil Clapp and Laura Houlgatte, President and CEO respectively of the International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), the European cinema trade grouping, today celebrated the Big Screen experience and the positive recovery results around Europe and globally at CineEurope 2022.

Shows & Events


# 1939 Baird

RSS News
RSS Info About RSS

Skip Navigation LinksHome/Menu > Find News > Refresh this page
Brussels—Nov 25, 2015

International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) Calls for Open Standards in the Cinema Industry

The International Union of Cinemas (“UNIC”) is the European trade association speaking on behalf of cinema operators and their national federations across 36 countries.

The cinema technology landscape across the world is changing rapidly, due both to the transition to digital cinema and the development of an increasing array of technology options aimed at improving the film-viewing experience in theatres.

Many UNIC members make regular investment in high-end technology to provide cinema-goers with the most immersive and engaging experience possible. Making such investment choices does not come without challenges. 

Alongside the many practical challenges of installation, operators must be confident that upgraded theatres will provide a tangible return of investment in the future. Cinema operators are ultimately responsible for the quality of the image and sound of theatrical presentations – both to their audience and to those who created the film. 

UNIC members want to screen as many films as possible in the many sound and image formats that are now available and featuring in an increasing number of screens around the world. From Premium Large Formats (PLFs) to immersive sound, laser projection and High Dynamic Range (HDR), the possibilities in terms of technology are practically endless. 

Unfortunately, some of our members find themselves increasingly confronted with situations where they are not able to show a film in the best possible quality – as permitted by the equipment available in their cinemas. Issues around cinema standards often contribute to this problem.

Below is a list of the types of challenges that have arisen:  

1. Some major releases and accompanying trailers are not mixed in immersive sound, despite the technology being available in many cinemas around the world; 

2. Some films are only available in one specific Premium Large Format. Operators who have not invested in that specific format are then required to screen the film in a classic, smaller format on their otherwise large screens;

3. Certain releases are only made available during the opening week in one specific image or sound format, limiting their release to cinemas equipped for those formats only; 

4. Some films are only made available in one specific non-standardised aspect ratio, therefore encouraging exhibitors to show a cropped film to their audience unless they can create a new macro in time. 

UNIC would encourage all stakeholders in the cinema eco-system to work together in good faith to help overcome as many of the above challenges as possible. A more innovative – yet at the same time more complex – ecosystem requires increased co-operation and collaboration amongst all to ensure that film-fans can continue to see films in the best quality possible – on the big screen.

UNIC also strongly encourages that all image and sound formats should be playable on all systems and calls for the development of open standards in the industry to give operators the comfort and assurance they require in order to have confidence that the investment they are making is worthwhile. 

Every film, whether part of a small or large release, should be able to take advantage of the amazing systems now installed in a growing number of venues. Manufacturers should therefore make sure that the cinema equipment they deliver does not rely on proprietary technology and they should co-operate with industry partners to develop open standards where possible. We greatly encourage film producers and distributors, as well as directors, to create films in those open standards in order that they might be screened around the world and not only in a limited number of venues. 

Open standards would, in turn, allow new and innovative formats to flourish and be adopted more widely. Programming should not become a function only of the type of image and sound formats that an exhibitor is able to screen. 

UNIC welcomes the work undertaken by the SMPTE towards the creation of an open standard in immersive sound, a first step towards necessary harmonisation. We would like to hold further discussions on this pressing topic with other industry stakeholders as well as the creative community, which delivers the amazing content that exhibitors are proud to deliver to their audiences. 


UNIC Contacts:
 / +32 2 880 99 39 / +32 488 08 51  95 
@CineEurope @UNIC_Cinemas


Logo: UNIC (International Union of Cinemas)
About UNIC (International Union of Cinemas):
The Union Internationale des Cinémas/International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) represents the interests of cinema trade associations and cinema operators covering 38 countries in Europe and in neighboring regions.
UNIC (International Union of Cinemas) Directory page UNIC (International Union of Cinemas) Web Site

Share This Page

More UNIC News:
Jun 19, 2023 Celebrating European Cinema at CineEurope 2023
UNIC Logo
CineEurope 2024 Logo
Welcoming delegates at the opening ceremony of this year’s CineEurope, Phil Clapp and Laura Houlgatte, President and CEO respectively of the European cinema trade grouping UNIC, today celebrated the unique appeal of the Big Screen experience.

May 24, 2023 Cinionic Named Official Cinema Projection Provider Of CineEurope 2023
UNIC Logo
Barco Logo
CineEurope 2024 Logo
Cinionic, the global leader in laser cinema technology, has partnered with the Film Expo Group to become the Official Cinema Projection Provider of CineEurope for the fifth year in a row. All projection equipment in the CCIB Auditorium will be supplied by Cinionic, powering the studio product presentations and screenings with Laser Projection by Cinionic.

Apr 5, 2023 Hans-Joachim Flebbe to Receive 2023 UNIC Achievement Award
UNIC Logo
CineEurope 2024 Logo
HANS-JOACHIM FLEBBE, Founder and Managing Director of Astor Film Lounge and Zoo Palast, has been named as the 2023 recipient of the UNIC Achievement Award, given each year in recognition of outstanding dedication and service to European cinema exhibition. The Award will be presented as part of the CineEurope Awards Ceremony on Thursday 22 June at the Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain.

Jun 20, 2022 Celebrating the Big Screen Experience at CineEurope 2022
UNIC Logo
Phil Clapp and Laura Houlgatte, President and CEO respectively of the International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), the European cinema trade grouping, today celebrated the Big Screen experience and the positive recovery results around Europe and globally at CineEurope 2022.

Mar 1, 2022 UNIC Stands in Solidarity with Ukrainian Exhibitors and the Ukrainian People Following Russian Invasion
UNIC Logo
UNIC, the trade body representing the interests of  cinema operators across 39 European territories, has today issued a statement  expressing its solidarity not just with Ukrainian exhibitors but also the Ukrainian  people as they look to repel the attack on their country by Russian forces.

Jul 6, 2021 Odeon Cinemas Group to Receive “International Exhibitor of the Year” Award at CineEurope 2021
UNIC Logo
CineEurope 2024 Logo
ODEON Cinemas Group has been named as the 2021 recipient of the “International Exhibitor of the Year” award at CineEurope. The award will be presented to Mark Way, President of AMC Europe and Managing Director ODEON Cinemas Group, and Juan Antonio Gomez, Chief Partnership and Content Officer, as part of the CineEurope Awards Ceremony hosted by the Coca-Cola Company on Thursday, October 7, at the Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain.

Oct 7, 2019 UNIC Voices Support for NATO Digital Cinema Technology Evaluation Program
UNIC Logo
The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), the trade body representing cinema operators and their national associations across 38 European territories, has today voiced its support for the recently-announced NATO resolution laying out aspects of its digital cinema technology evaluation program.

Jun 17, 2019 UNIC’s 2019 Annual Report Celebrates Cinema-Going in Europe
UNIC Logo
CineEurope 2024 Logo
The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), the European cinema trade grouping, has today published its Annual Report, examining key cinema trends across the 38 territories represented by the association, accounting for 1.29 billion admissions and €8.1 billion in box office revenues in 2018 – close to a quarter of the global theatrical market for films.

Apr 23, 2019 Recipients of 2019 CineEurope Gold Awards Announced
UNIC Logo
CineEurope 2024 Logo
The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) and the Film Expo Group are delighted to announce the 2019 recipients of the CineEurope Gold Awards, given to cinema professionals for their outstanding dedication and service to the sector. The Awards will be presented as part of the CineEurope Awards Ceremony on Thursday 20 June at the Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain.

Apr 22, 2019 Paramount Pictures’ Mark Viane and Mary Daily to Receive “International Distributor of the Year” Award at CineEurope
UNIC Logo
CineEurope 2024 Logo
Mark Viane, President of International Theatrical Distribution, and Mary Daily, Co-President, Worldwide Marketing & Distribution at Paramount Pictures have been named as the 2019 recipients of the “International Distributor of the Year” award at CineEurope. The award will be presented as part of the CineEurope Awards Ceremony hosted by the Coca-Cola Company on Thursday, 20 June, at the Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain.

Apr 8, 2019 Blitz-Cinestar to Receive “International Exhibitor of the Year” Award at CineEurope 2019
UNIC Logo
CineEurope 2024 Logo
Blitz-CineStar has been named as the 2019 recipient of the “International Exhibitor of the Year” award at CineEurope. The award will be presented to Hrvoje  Krstulovic, Co-Founder and Member of the Board, as part of the CineEurope Awards Ceremony hosted by the Coca-Cola Company on Thursday, 20 June, at the Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain.

Feb 6, 2019 Cinionic Named Official Projection Partner at CineEurope 2019
UNIC Logo
Barco Logo
CineEurope 2024 Logo
Cinionic, a global leader in cinema technology, has partnered with the Film Expo Group to become the Official Projection Partner at CineEurope for the second year in a row. All projection equipment in the CCIB Auditorium will be supplied by Cinionic, including the laser projectors for all studio product presentations and screenings.

Feb 1, 2019 Peter Fornstam to Receive 2019 Unic Achievement Award
UNIC Logo
CineEurope 2024 Logo
Peter Fornstam, Founder & Managing Director of Svenska Bio and Chairman of the Swedish Exhibitors’ Association, has been announced as the recipient of the 2019 UNIC Achievement Award, given each year to recognise outstanding dedication and service to the European cinema industry. The Award will be presented as part of the CineEurope Awards Ceremony on Thursday 20 June at the Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain.

Jun 13, 2018 UNIC Launches Second Edition of Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme
UNIC Logo
CineEurope 2024 Logo
The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), the European Cinema trade grouping, today launched the second edition of its Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme, a 12-month mentoring programme for women in cinema exhibition.

Jun 12, 2018 UNIC’s 2018 Annual Report Celebrates Thriving European Cinema Exhibition Sector
UNIC Logo
CineEurope 2024 Logo
The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), the European Cinema trade grouping, has today published its Annual Report, examining key cinema trends across the 37 territories represented by the association, accounting for 1.34 billion admissions and €8.6 billion in box office revenues in 2017 - a quarter of the global theatrical market for films.

Jun 11, 2018 Investment, Innovation and Diversity the Hallmark of Our Industry, Says UNIC President
UNIC Logo
CineEurope 2024 Logo
During his keynote address at CineEurope 2018, Phil Clapp, President of the International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), the European Cinema trade grouping, reflected on the success of a sector which continued to thrive due to investment, innovation and diversity.

Mar 6, 2018 Jean-Pierre Decrette to Receive 2018 UNIC Achievement Award
UNIC Logo
Jean-Pierre Decrette, until recently Director of Development at Cinémas Gaumont Pathé, has been named as the 2018 recipient of the UNIC Achievement Award, given each year in recognition of outstanding dedication and service to European cinema exhibition. The Award will be presented as part of the CineEurope Awards Ceremony on Thursday 14 June at the Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain.

Jun 21, 2017 Leading Cinema Operators Launch Global Trade Body
UNIC Logo
The world’s leading cinema operators today announced the establishment of the Global Cinema Federation, a Worldwide grouping intended to represent cinema exhibition’s global interests.

Apr 11, 2016 CinemaCon 2016: UNIC Report Highlights Continuing Importance of European Cinema Sector to Global Film Industry
UNIC Logo
Europe's cinema trade association The International Union of Cinemas ('UNIC') has today published a report confirming the importance of the European cinema sector – and international territories more generally – to the continued health of the global film industry.

©Copyright 2003 - 2024 WHMCC, LLC .
| Contact | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy
All rights reserved.
banner