The shortlists for the annual 2013 Screen Awards have been announced by Screen International. The Screen Awards were created to recognise and celebrate the UK industry’s exemplary work in marketing, distribution and exhibition at every level and across every platform, with Digital Cinema Media (DCM) and the Cinema Exhibitors Association (CEA) sponsoring new categories in the line-up.
The annual event is returning for its fourth year with 22 awards to be won – including six new categories this year. Digital Cinema Media is proud to sponsor the Brand Partnership of the Year category, a category which aims to further acknowledge the significance of a brand’s involvement with film and recognise top brand-film partnerships from the year. Entries have been judged on how the brand and film both benefited from the partnership and how audiences were involved in compelling ways. The category was also open for partnerships that aren’t single title specific. Read more
For the third weekend in a row the film at the top of the box office was not the best performer from Friday to Sunday. Thanks to two days of previews, Kick-Ass 2 snatched the top spot from Disney animation, Planes.
The comic book sequel grossed £2.5m, including £1m from previews, which is some way off the first Kick-Ass’ £3.8m debut, although that too was heavily preview assisted. Read more
Last week, thousands of festivalgoers donned their sunglasses and boots and flocked to Chelmsford’s V Festival to see the likes of Beyoncé, Kings of Leon and Calvin Harris performing in the Essex countryside. Revellers enjoyed a weekend of sunshine but, in true festival fashion, the bursts of rain and the cold nights had fans rushing back to their tents to avoid the mud and recover before doing it all again the next day.
Those fortunate enough to be in Virgin Media’s exclusive Louder Lounge were able to rest their wellie-worn feet in Cineworld’s “festival film zone”; a converted shipping container transformed into a pop-up cinema offering beanbags, blankets and cinema snacks and drink to film buffs and those who weren’t quite ready to return to their sleeping bags. Read more
This Week, DCM Close Up meets Caoimhin McClafferty, Operations Manager at the Brunswick Moviebowl in Derry. He tells us what’s unique about his cinema and the special events that have been hosted at the venue. To feature your cinema in a future issue, please email rebecca.rau@dcm.co.uk.
How did you end up working in cinema and what do you love about it? Read more
DCM and IGN joined forces this week to introduce the media sector to their exciting new partnership, which combines the reach of digital and the impact of the big screen. The presentation detailed how DCM and IGN can offer brands the opportunity to advertise around specially-created multi-platform branded content spanning cinema, online and mobile channels.
Cinema is an experience that attracts a large number of video game enthusiasts. DCM and IGN reach over 7.7m UK based 18-35 males a month, via cinema admissions, web, mobile and social platforms. Gaming brands will be able to use cinemas as venues to showcase new games, allowing fans to play exclusive interactive content on the big screen pre-launch, or to première product releases. Read more
After last weekend saw seven films in the top 15 crack the £1m barrier, this weekend went ahead and matched it and the top 11 all grossed over £900k.
The top two were also the closest since December 2007, when just £6.2k separated Enchanted and The Golden Compass. This weekend Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa just managed to come out on top with £2.2m, including £744k from previews, beating Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, in second place by just £38k. The fantasy adventure grossed £2.1m, with £861k from previews. Check out what Mr. Partridge had to say on the Norwich premiere here. Read more
With the search on for a new Batman and talk of a Blackadder movie adaption, DCM Close Up looks at some of the film news hitting the headlines this week.
Who’s Next For Batman? Read more
This week, DCM Close Up puts the spotlight on Dorothy Smith, the Managing Director of Zeffirellis in Ambleside. Dorothy tells us all about how her cinema has transformed itself into a destination site in Cumbria, offering fine-dining and world-class jazz alongside an innovative alternative content programme and, of course, the best movie releases. To feature your cinema in a future issue, please email rebecca.rau@dcm.co.uk.
How did you end up working in cinema and what do you love about it? Read more
Anastasia Takis loves Ryan Gosling and was lucky enough to go to a preview of his latest film, Only God Forgives. Read on for her review.
Only God forgives…. As much as I love Ryan Gosling, not even my undying love for him could make me like this film the way I had wanted to. Read more
For the first time since 18 February 2011, the top seven films all grossed over £1m at the weekend’s box office, even when previews are removed.
Family animation The Smurfs 2 came out on top with £3.2m, £1.5m of that came from Wednesday and Thursday previews. That’s a bit lower than the first Smurfs film’s £3.8m opening in August 2011 (including £1.5m previews) and that film went on to a final total of £17.4m. Read more
Digital Cinema Media (DCM) is delighted to introduce its new Head of Exhibition, Steve Davis. The role has been created especially to work with exhibitors nationwide to identify and drive the dynamic new commercial opportunities for cinemas following DCM’s digital transformation last year. Steve joins DCM from out-of-home advertising specialist, Clear Channel, and will be bringing that experience to help us all maximise revenues. Over the next few months, Steve will be meeting many of you in person, but, in the meantime, DCM Close Up gets the lowdown from DCM's newest recruit.
What did you do before DCM? Read more
There’s never been a better time to be a geek. From Game of Thrones and The Big Bang Theory to Harry Potter and The Avengers, geek culture is everywhere attracting and connecting ever-expanding audiences. Today's obsession with all-things-geek has sparked a global community on YouTube, enabling fans around the world to express their love of superheroes, comics, gaming, science and sci-fi.
Interest in events such as San Diego ComicCon has peaked in recent years. Releases of superhero movies from major studios have brought the culture of comics and fandom to the mainstream. Read more
