Following an intensive bid process involving a detailed response to a full range of technical, commercial and support criteria set out by Film & Kino, Unique Cinema Systems proved their commitment to the long term future of the Norwegian cinema market by offering the best value, and highest quality package for each of the separate regions they were awarded.
The tender was divided in ten subgroups assigned along both regional and organizational lines. Four sub-group contracts were allocated for each of the larger countrywide chains, and six contracts grouping independent cinemas within Norway’s primary regions. There are also separate contracts for mobile, or traveling, cinema systems that provide movies to smaller communities without permanent cinemas. The total value is estimated at NOK 300 million (€ 37m) .
Each sub-contract was separately awarded based on careful evaluation from a group-level committee that included local participants who understand the specific needs of cinemas in that group. Equipment and the integration partner was selected based on price and quality. Cinemas in each group will receive a base-level approved 2D cinema system package consisting of a digital projector, server, TMS and NOC services. Enhancements such as 3D, and 4K can be optionally purchased at the cinema’s expense.
Unique Cinema Systems, will provide each cinema a complete package of local support from their regional offices in Bergen, Lier, Trondheim and Tromsø provided by a team of experienced technicians utilizing a dedicated suite of network monitoring tools, theatre management software and NOC services.
“This is a major step forward for the long awaited digitalisation of the cinema industry. We at Unique are proud to be part of this country wide conversion to Digital Cinema in Norway,“ said Dave Spilde, Director of Unique Cinema Systems. “Credit is due to the Film & Kino for their ambition and determination in bringing this ambitious project to fruition. We look forward to continuing to work with Jørgen Stensland and his team in completing the project to the satisfaction of all the cinemas involved.”
Chris Olsson-Hagan, Managing Director, Unique Digital Ltd commented “This project will require collaboration between all the parties involved. We are delighted that the investment Unique has made in evaluating the equipment and the long term development of new software management systems will now benefit both the theatre owners and the Norwegian cinema public.”
For more information please contact:
Unique Cinema Systems
+44 207 384 5623 -
[email protected]About Film & KinoNorwayʼs cinema system is unique in Europe, originating in 1913, when municipalities started taking over cinema operations across the country. Since 1925 the municipally owned and operated theatres have held a dominant market share, standing today at 72,6 per cent (admissions) and 81,1 per cent (box‐office). As a consequence of this system, cinemas operate as individual enterprises, being individually programmed, and exhibition in Norway is thus not based on the classical organisational paradigm of cinema circuits/chains. Since 1970 municipally and privately owned cinema have collaborated closely on developing the exhibition sector as a whole, co‐ordinating these activities through the organisation which today is known as Film & Kino (http://www.filmweb.no/filmogkino/diverse/article54083.ece).
Central to these efforts have been the Cinema Fund. The Fund was set up in 1970 as a mutual fund, financed by a voluntary 2,5% levy on cinema ticket sales to finance projects of common interest and benefit to the exhibition sector: From support for film festivals and cinema literacy programmes, to ambulatory cinema services and P&A support in various forms, to training courses for cinema staff and technical and other consultancies.
The Regulations (http://www.lovdata.no/for/sf/kk/xk‐19991220‐1515.html) given under the 1987 law provide general aims for the use of the Fundʼs resources, while establishing legal base for Film & Kino to determine concrete operations, under the superintendence of the Ministry for Culture. The Regulations furthermore stipulate that all stakeholders (i.e. representatives of contributors to the fund) have the right to be represented on the Board of Film & Kino.
For further information, please contact
Film & Kino P.O.Box 446 Sentrum, N‐0104 OSLO Tel. +47‐22.47.45.00; fax +47‐22.47.46.99; post @ kino.no
Case officer: Jörgen Stensland, Head of Division
