Swiss cinemas threatened by switch to digital technology
The Federal Office of Culture (FOC) is concerned about the future of the Swiss cinema industry. Due to the costly switch to digital projectors, up to 35 percent of movie theaters are at risk of closing.
The Federal Office of Culture (Bak) believes that the Swiss cinema landscape is in danger.
This is "facing a major challenge" due to the replacement of 35mm projection systems with digital cinema projectors, writes the Federal Office in a press release on Friday. The introduction of this costly technology threatens to close up to 35% of cinemas in Switzerland - especially those in small and medium-sized towns that cannot afford this technology. Experts even believe that over 50 percent of cinemas in certain European countries are at risk.
A working group consisting of film distributors, cinema operators and representatives of the Federal Office of Culture came to the conclusion that only with a broad-based financing solution (cinema, distributor, federal government, cantons and municipalities) can the diversity of the cinema landscape in Switzerland, which is unique in Europe, continue to exist.
This is "facing a major challenge" due to the replacement of 35mm projection systems with digital cinema projectors, writes the Federal Office in a press release on Friday. The introduction of this costly technology threatens to close up to 35% of cinemas in Switzerland - especially those in small and medium-sized towns that cannot afford this technology. Experts even believe that over 50 percent of cinemas in certain European countries are at risk.
A working group consisting of film distributors, cinema operators and representatives of the Federal Office of Culture came to the conclusion that only with a broad-based financing solution (cinema, distributor, federal government, cantons and municipalities) can the diversity of the cinema landscape in Switzerland, which is unique in Europe, continue to exist.
Digital film brings potential savings - but not for cinemas
The conversion of cinemas is not voluntary, but is based on new digital standards developed by the American film industry. The production of digital film prints leads to considerable cost savings in the long term, especially for major international productions. However, there is hardly any savings potential for cinemas.
