NORTH YORKSHIRE DIGITAL CINEMA SETS SAIL WITH CLIFF SIDE LAUNCH (04/10/2010)
The North Yorkshire Digital Cinema programme opened at its first host venue, Whitby Pavilion, on Thursday 30th September. The event kick started an exciting programme of the latest cinema releases to be shown at the stunning cliff-side venue over the coming months. Guests from the local community were welcomed by Colin Philpott - Director of the National Media Museum, prior to a flawless screening of Tamara Drewe on the brand new digital cinema projection equipment, along with a short compilation of historic Whitby footage put together by the Yorkshire Film Archive especially for the event.
Backed with £400,000 of lottery funding from the UK Film Council over three years, North Yorkshire Digital Cinema is delivered by a consortium helmed by Screen Yorkshire, and comprising the community arts company Blaize, the National Media Museum in Bradford and North Yorkshire County Council.
Colin Philpott - Director of the National Media Museum, who welcomed the audience on behalf of all the partners, informed guests that they were now part of cinematic history as the event marked the very first Rural Cinema Initiative in the UK to get a digital standard image onto a screen.
The digital cinema standard projection equipment and high definition Blu Ray kit will be installed in easily accessed local venues across the region, giving rural communities in North Yorkshire access to a modern digital cinema experience, including live opera, theatre and sport events to be beamed via satellite, without having to travel long distances. Subsequent participating venues include: Northallerton Forum, Galtres Centre Easingwold and Selby Globe Cinema. 
Guests were treated to a short compilation of historic Whitby footage put together by the Yorkshire Film Archive especially for the event.
John Woodward, Chief Executive Officer of the UK Film Council said: "Enabling people to get access to a wider range of films on the big screen is an important objective for us. Cinema-going expands when a broader variety of films is on offer but that has largely happened in urban areas to date. Our research showed that there's a big appetite for the cinema in rural areas, but it's not always being met.This innovative UK Film Council-funded initiative will give more people in North Yorkshire the chance to watch films in 3D, to catch some of the latest releases, and to see specialist films as well as try out alternative cinema experiences like live opera, and big sports events."
Sally Joynson, Chief Executive at Screen Yorkshire, added:
"North Yorkshire Digital Cinema is a great example of everything Screen Yorkshire stands for and has achieved in the last 8 years. Through our knowledge of the region we have pulled together a fantastic team of partners that has made this scheme a reality. I am particularly pleased that the launch night will feature local footage presented by the Yorkshire Film Archive, which we are proud to fund and support. I look forward to NYDC offering new experiences, attracting new audiences and reaching new communities across North Yorkshire." 
North Yorkshire Digital Cinema is now firmly installed in Whitby Pavillion! View listings online.
To find out more about North Yorkshire Digital Cinema, contact: Kathryn.Penny@NationalMediaMuseum.org.uk
