Indie cinema set to benefit after Omnilab Media [Cinema Services] and Paramount sign VPF deal

Australia’s independent cinema operators are set to benefit from the virtual print fee (VPF) deal that was today signed between Paramount Pictures and Omnilab Media [Cinema Services] OMCS.

This is the first VPF deal that Omnilab Media [Cinema Services] has struck with a major studio and it signals the first of six agreements between the major studios and OMCS.

Says Christopher Mapp (left), managing director, Omnilab Media: “The negotiation process with distributors for VPF contracts has been long and complex, however with the excellent cooperation of the major distributors we are set to sign several more agreements imminently.”

OMCS and its strategic partner, Independent Cinema Association of Australia (ICAA) have been working together to ensure that the needs of the many independent cinema operators in Australia and New Zealand are fully supported in their transition to digital cinema. Today’s agreement with Paramount has been a significant step forward to ensure that this vision is realised.

“We are in the final stages of our negotiations with other major studios and we are also intending to contract with many Australian independent distributors,” says Mapp.

Says Mark Sarfaty, CEO, ICAA: “ICAA has been working on behalf of all independent cinemas to achieve a positive outcome on digital transition for several years. Today’s announcement is testament to the importance of our partnership with a large, established and successful digital services company such as Omnilab Media.”

Omnilab Media’s extensive experience in digital services and its commercial aptitude over many years, stands the independent cinema sector in good stead in their transition to digital cinema.

“I know that independent cinema owners will be pleased by this news and are looking forward to OMCS concluding agreements shortly with all distributors so that independent operators will finally be able to complete the expensive transition to digital cinema alongside the major exhibition circuits”, says Sarfaty.

“OMCS now has a network of specialists working almost around the clock installing digital systems in a wide range of cinema locations. A 24/7 support service is also operating in conjunction with the Network Operations Centre which enables remote servicing including software upgrades and other updates. A dedicated theatre has also been constructed in Omnilab Media’s Melbourne headquarters to continuously test and troubleshoot equipment and delivery pipelines,” says Mapp.