‘Cinemas must invest, downsize or die out’

Cinemas face an ‘invest, downsize or die’ dilemma as they struggle to fund the necessary equipment to screen films in digital format. They are faced with the stark choice as Hollywood studios are expected to cease producing 35mm film prints for major markets by the end of this year. “If cinemas don’t upgrade they will have to close down or reduce screens,” Tal-Lira Cinema managing director Malcolm Sant said bluntly. Movie studios are pushing to have all films released solely in digital format as it will save them the expense of having to physically print and ship 35mm film to theatres and distributors. The main problem for Malta’s cinemas is the huge costs involved in purchasing digital equipment relative to commercial returns. Cinema managers who spoke to The Sunday Times estimated the cost at between €40,000 and €60,000 per screen. Gozo’s only cinema, the Citadel in Victoria, stopped showing commercial movies indefinitely on March 31 as it tries to find €100,000 to upgrade its two screens. “This change has been imposed upon cinemas. In Malta we do not have turnovers in cinemas that allow cinemas to easily absorb this cost,” said Embassy Cinema manager Sharon Montebello, pointing...