Copenhagen, Denmark —Apr 7, 2006
Twentieth Century Fox launches first International release in JPEG2000
Nordisk Film and Éclair Digital Cinema successfully complete the Danish digital release of Ice Age 2
Confirming their global support for exhibitors complying with DCI
specifications, today Twentieth Century Fox International released “Ice Age 2”,
the studio’s first international digital release in JPEG2000, on Nordisk Film’s
screens in Denmark.
In July 2005, Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI), a joint venture formed by the
major studios, issued specifications defining JPEG2000 as the sole and unique
file compression format for D-Cinema releases. All of the major studios have
announced their support of DCI compliant systems and their intention to release
their motion pictures in this format.
Nordisk Film Biografer, the leading exhibition chain in Denmark and a well-known
early adopter of digital projection technology in Europe, partnered with Éclair
Digital Cinema to upgrade their digital screens from MPEG-2 to JPEG2000 and then
to full DCI compliance. These movie theatres are now the first, and to date, the
only theatres in continental Europe equipped to show digital movies to paying
audiences using the new compression format.
This move has been welcomed by Twentieth Century Fox International, who chose
Nordisk Film’s digital screens for their first ever international release in
JPEG2000. A dubbed and a subtitled master of “Ice Age 2” were prepared and
distributed by Deluxe in conjunction with Éclair Digital Cinema. The film opened
successfully on 3 digital screens today, including, the Imperial, the largest
venue in Scandinavia (1100 seats).
“We’re very pleased to support the first international digital release of Ice
Age 2 in Denmark. We, at Fox International, are committed to support future
digital releases in theatres that meet the DCI specifications.” said Christian
Grass, Executive Vice President, 20th Century Fox Europe.
Julian Levin, Executive Vice President of Digital Exhibition for Twentieth
Century Fox said " We are delighted to be providing Ice Age 2 to Nordisk Film's
JPEG 2000 digital cinema systems. This not only demonstrates their clear
leadership in working to upgrade their digital projection systems to DCI
compliance but also in working with Éclair who have facilitated the integration
and installation. We congratulate them both."
Paul Hanneman, Co-President of Twentieth Century Fox International added "Fox
remains committed to supplying its movies to DCI compliant systems in the U.S.
and International markets, and the supply of Ice Age 2 to Nordisk's theaters
marks the first time a Fox movie is being supplied to JPEG 2000 systems
internationally. This significant step further underscores Fox's commitment to
support the transition to digital cinema and the global adoption of the DCI
specification".
“We would like to thank Twentieth Century Fox International for their strong
support of our efforts to reach DCI compliance. If we want digital cinema to
become a reality in Europe, international exhibitors – who struggle to get
content in digital – need to see concretely that following the DCI
specifications will help them get more major motion pictures in digital. Our
partnership with Éclair Digital Cinema and the confidence of Twentieth Century
Fox International have made this a reality.” said John Amund Tønnes, C.E.O. of
Nordisk Film Biografer.
“As a leader in the effort to bring DCI compliant digital cinema to Europe,
Éclair Digital Cinema is very proud to have participated in this release. We
hope Twentieth Century Fox International and Nordisk Film’s example will set the
pace for digital releases in Europe.” said Gwendal Auffret, C.E.O of Éclair
Digital Cinema.
Twentieth Century Fox International is a unit of Fox Filmed Entertainment, a
segment of the Fox Entertainment Group.
