Dutch Media Hub and EYE Film Institute have completed a pilot project for delivery of film content online to cinemas.

The Pilot Digital Cinema project worked with Dutch companies including BT, Felton, Gofilex, inVision Subtitling, KPN Broadcast Services and Technicolor.

This month sees the creation of the Digitalisering Nederlandse Cinema Foundation, created by EYE, NVB and NVF.

The group is employing a unique funding model for exhibitors, distributors, The Netherlands Film Fund and the Dutch government will share the costs of digital transition.

All Dutch cinemas are expected to be digitised by mid-2012.

After the pilot, the system is now ready for full development and deployment in The Netherlands.

George Freriks, project manager at the Dutch Media Hub, said: “By running this pilot in the Dutch market we have already learned the first important lessons for a further roll-out in Europe. This is another step in our ambition of building a Gateway to Europe.” He added that the US studios had also shown interest in the pilot scheme.

The news was announced today at the International Film Festival Rotterdam.

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