Omnilab’s cinema arm and Paramount Pictures sign virtual print fee deal

Sydney - Australia’s independent cinema operators are set to benefit from the virtual print fee (VPF) deal that was signed on February 1 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.

Christopher Mapp, managing director, Omnilab Media, said today, “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. The 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. Mark Sarfaty, CEO, ICAA said, “ 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.”