The Japanese Market for UK Films - BFI

promoting standardization and the installation of digital cinema in Korea.
”Digital Cinema Vision” was inaugurated in August 2005 to take a leading role in
the expansion of the digital cinema industry. In November 2005 an
announcement was made at the “Digital Cinema: Vision and Policy of Industry
Expansion,” that 50% of all screens would be digital by 2010.
The Korean Government has announced a support scheme of 400 billion won
(approximately 48.8 billion yen / US$414 million) through the Korean Films
Development Fund for the expansion of digital cinema and the nurturing of the
Korean Film Industry. With the competitive commercial environment of
companies such as“CGV,” “Showbox” and “Lotte,” and backup from their
government, Korea can be expected to rank with China in global competition to
install digital cinema.
2) Chinese Government and affiliated corporations.
The China Film Group aims to increase the 187 screens installed by early 2007
up to 700 screens as quickly as possible. SARFT (State Administration of
Radio, Film and Television in China) announced their intention to expand 500
digital screens between 2007 and 2009. Within 3,000 theatres currently in
China, it is estimated that China Film Group and SARFT will create 1/3 to 1/4
(approximately 900 to 1,000 screens) of the total number of screens by 2010.
The ratio of 187 screens (amongst a total of 3,000 screens in China) is 6% and
the box office receipt is 12% of the total. The Digital Cinemas are renowned for
being better quality than other cinemas where a single print is used many times
and deteriorates with use. The prints are sold between exhibitors because a
used print is far cheaper than the printing cost.
In China, there are two categories of theatrical exhibition:
- First Class Market: Theatrical exhibition in commercial theatres located in
urban areas.
- Second Class Market: Film exhibition in universities and educational
institutions, factories and public facilities.
China plans to expand digitalization in these markets in general and is reported
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