Arts Alliance strikes 3-D deal for Netherlands

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/world/news/e3i4fdb8e9f0eeb905c576132ba679a61f2

 

'Bolt,' 'Monsters vs. Aliens' among digital releases

By Stuart Kemp

Feb 2, 2009, 12:47 PM ET

 

LONDON -- European digital cinema provider Arts Alliance Media is spreading the digital word across the continent and has struck a deal with Dutch indie cinema circuit Amsterdam Booking Company to roll out in the Netherlands.

AAM will supply and integrate digital cinema in 68 screens within 20 cinemas across Holland.

The deal also covers the installation of a satellite network for the transmission of live events and encrypted content. The rollout will start immediately in order to equip screens for the Feb. 11 Dutch release of Disney's 3-D film "Bolt," AAM said. The animated canine adventure will be the first wide 3-D release in the territory.

Other 2009 3-D movies aiming for an ABC rollout include "Monsters vs. Aliens" (Dreamworks/Paramount), "Up" (Pixar/Disney), "Ice Age 3" (Twentieth Century Fox), "Planet 51" (Sony Pictures), "Toy Story 3D" (Pixar/Disney) and "Avatar" (Twentieth Century Fox).

"We see clearly what the future of cinema is going to be: digital, 3-D and live events," ABC owner Paul Visser said. "AAM is the best partner to make that happen and enable us to be the first widespread movers in the Netherlands."

ABC claims to have a 10% market share in the Netherlands. To date, AAM has a European footprint of 420 installed and operated digital cinema screens across the U.K., France, Spain and Norway. The company is completing the 400-screen rollout in France's Circuit George Raymond.