Brazil abandons 35mm film in favour of digitisation

"ANCINE and BNDES to Finance digitization of movie theaters in Brazil" is the news from a bulletin issued by Brazilian law firm Di Blasi, Parente & Associates. The news goes like this:

"Main movie distributors will no longer continue to market the 35mm film medium as of 2015, so the Brazilian government has created the “Cinema Close to You” program promoting the adaptation and installation of new movie theaters with a new digital technology standard, as well as expanding the movie internal market in Brazil.

It is a joint effort between the National Film Agency (ANCINE), Ministry of Culture, National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) and the Audiovisual Sector Fund (FSA). According to the BNDES, the following items can be the subject of special financing under the program:

(i) acquisition in the national market or import of new digital projectors compatible with the DCI standard (“Digital Cinema Initiatives”), as well as processing units, parts and accessories thereof;

(ii) acquisition in the national market or import of digital sound processing units;

(iii) customs, insurance and transport costs;

(iv) installation and assembly costs;

(v) acquisition of necessary furniture and fixtures for digital projection;

(vi) management and technological training, training and certification costs;

(vii) equipment for signal reception;

(viii) equipment that is necessary for the assembly of the operation center.

The “Cinema Close to You” program will enter into force on January 31, 2015, and a financing program of US$309,000 has already been granted to Quanta DGT – Telem Group – so that 770 movie theaters belonging to national enterprises can make the switch to the new digital technology standard".

Presumably this will both boost cinema attendance through the provision of higher quality video and sound experience and assist those involved in piracy and unlicensed commercial activities. It will be interesting to see which benefits more: the legitimate or the illegitimate sector.