View Full Version : First digital for the Middle east in Kuwait


CrazY
April 26th, 2007, 10:04 AM
Kuwait Cinema Company, Qube sign deal


Chennai, April 25:

Kuwait National Cinema Company (KNCC), one of the largest theatrical exhibition companies in the Middle East, the Chennai-based Qube Cinema, Inc. and Cinemeccanica Theatrical Equipment Co.,(Italy) have partnered to bring the first digital cinema to the Middle East and Gulf Region. A pilot DCI quality digital cinema is under installation in KNCC's theatre (Cinescape) in Kuwait City using a Qube XP-D DCI Compliant digital cinema server and a Cinemeccanica 2K digital projector.


This pilot phase will, if successful, be followed by a complete digitisation of KNCC's screens all over Kuwait and upcoming cinemas in Gulf States, i.e. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Qatar. KNCC and Qube Cinema also plan to setup a digital cinema mastering unit in the region to convert Arabic content to DCI compliant Digital Cinema Packages (DCPs).


Kuwait National Cinema Company was established in 1954, and is engaged in all activities related to film industries i.e. theatrically and distribution, recreation and culture. As a group, it invests surplus funds in financial and real estate portfolios managed by specialised institutions locally and internationally. Now, KNCC (Cinescape) has entered into a partnership with Qube Cinema with the aim of equipping its network of close to 40 screens spanning 20 locations in Kuwait, with digital cinema technology.

The advanced feature set and the future-proof design of the Qube technology, the end-to-end suite of solutions on offer and Qube's established international presence makes Qube Cinema, Inc. the ideal partner that will help KNCC achieve their ambitious goals. Qube Cinema's domain knowledge and excellent training and service support is also a key factor in this move. The partnership between Qube Cinema and KNCC will provide Kuwait and the Gulf Region with the opportunity to experience high quality digital cinema for the first time.

KNCC is the leading exhibitor in Kuwait with 20 locations throughout the country well-known with a new brand Cinescape. KNCC was incorporated on 5th October, 1954 and pioneered the Al Sharqiah Cinema, a 1,000 person venue and the first theatre to open in Kuwait. The company has developed and implemented a multi-faceted growth strategy, which includes using luxurious shopping centres as prime locations for multi-screen theatres, renovating older theatres and upgrading its use of technology. In 2002, KNCC introduced the first online ticketing service in the Middle East and it now also offers customers the ability to buy tickets with Smart Cards at the theatre via self-operated ticketing machines. KNCC's key corporate objectives include continuing to lead the Middle Eastern cinema industry and creating a cultural and educational niche for Kuwait's moviegoers and in the near future will open new locations in Gulf States.

KNCC (Cinescape) will celebrate in August, the opening of a new prestigious Megaplex Cinema with 11 Screens (two VIP screens) in the new mall called The Avenues and plans in October, 2008 to open its largest cinema in Kuwait at 360o Mall with a total of 15 screens (one IMAX and two VIP screens). This will be followed by another expansion, which will be the largest in Kuwait called 'Mall of Kuwait' with a total of 17 screens (one IMAX and two VIP screens).

Qube Cinema, Inc. is a company with a passion for cinema and a thorough understanding of film, video, audio and computer technology along with vast experience in the production, post-production and exhibition industries - a unique combination of expertise that has helped in the development of the company's digital cinema technology. A subsidiary of India-based Real Image Media Technologies, Qube Cinema draws on decades of domain expertise in the media and entertainment space as well as long-standing relationships with key technology leaders. Real Image, a pioneer in media technology, has proven expertise in managing complex technology transformations. Qube Cinema is equipped with a dedicated and efficient team as well as world-class technology and software - a combination that will help realise the organization's vision of being a global leader in digital cinema technology.


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