Industry consultant Michael Karagosian reported a good year at the box office, with over $10 billion in box office revenue in the U.S. and about $10 billion in the rest of the world. The presentation was held during the Digital Cinema Summit, co-produced by SMPTE, ETC, EBU and NAB.

He reported:
–17,000 digital cinema screens worldwide
–This past year, 87% growth, most of which came from outside of North America and was largely driven by 3D.
–Suggested that growth without a deployment initiative showed that exhibitors are investing.
–DCIP funding is a “significant step”
–Several other US deployment plans have disappeared. “I expect to see other companies stepping in.”
–Industry is moving toward DCI compliance
–SMPTE DCP distribution is beginning

Oleg Berezin, CEO of Nevafilm, offered a status report on the digital cinema rollout in Russia:
–2,102 screens in 792 sites (35mm and D-cinema)
–Attendance in Russian cinema is growing
–Fragmented market with roughly 463 players (including chains and independent circuits).
–Market driver is 3D. Only three digital screens in Russia don’t have 3D.
–3D system deployment in Russia: Dolby 3D 66%, Xpand 27%, RealD 4%, Master Image 1%, Imax 1%, dual projection 1%

EDCF’s Peter Wilson reported on Europe:
–Suggested that the 87% global growth in D-cinema is “largely driven by ‘Avatar’ rather than any new model”
–New installations are largely funded by theaters because funding plans have been a challenge. With ‘Avatar,’ “people just went out and spent their own money.”
–“All 3D vendors are quite well represented across Europe”
–Odeon signed VPFs and has secured financing
–French CNC funding plan was rejected by European Competition Authority, which had effect on Germany, which was looking into a similar system
–Italy will offer a tax credit for D-cinema
–Norway’s rollout tender was granted
–Arts Alliance signed a group of Danish independents
–In the Netherlands Arts Alliance signs ABC and XDC signed Jogchem and Euroscoop.