Toho-Cinionic Advances Sustainable Cinema with Expansion of Laser Projection

TOHO Cinemas, one of Japan's largest exhibitors, and Cinionic, the leader in laser-powered cinema solutions, announced the rollout of laser projection in 159 of the esteemed circuit's theatres. Following an initial laser installation in late 2020 at TOHO Cinemas' Tachikawa Tachihi location, Laser Projection by Cinionic was selected for the chain's presentation technology renewal. Work is now underway to complete the project in the coming months, offering Japanese moviegoers an environmentally friendly and elevated cinematic experience. TOHO Cinemas has 686 screens across 73 locations in Japan, including five jointly operated cinemas with 56 screens, one of the largest and most important global film markets. With the upgrade to laser projection, TOHO Cinemas delivers an enhanced movie presentation, more contrast, greater brightness, and improved clarity while achieving a more sustainable way to go to the movies for many years to come.

"Cinionic is honoured to be selected by TOHO Cinemas to power the next era of cinema for moviegoers in Japan with laser projection," says Wim Buyens, CEO, Cinionic. "We are proud to work in a market with such a long and respected history in film and cinema. Together with TOHO Cinemas, we look forward to delighting audiences across Japan with exceptional, laser-powered entertainment." The majority of TOHO Cinema's new laser deployments feature the award-winning Barco Series 4 laser projection family from Cinionic. Barco Series 4 delivers consistently brilliant images on-screen and carries industry-leading sustainability credentials to reduce the environmental footprint of cinema operations. The projection range features Barco EcoPure, providing energy savings of as much as 70 per cent vs. traditional Xenon-based illumination, operational efficiency, and the elimination of waste from consumables. TOHO Cinemas selected Barco solutions from Cinionic to power their transition to laser for the companies' long heritage in cinema and expertise as the leader in laser technology. Cinionic's commitment to sustainability was also an important factor. In addition to offering an eco-friendly laser solution portfolio, Cinionic has clear environmental goals for 2023 and beyond to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Major Cineplex Chooses Christie for Outstanding Visuals on Smaller Screens

consumption, the CP2306-RGBe, CP2308-RGBe and CP2310-RGBe are capable of 30,000 hours of stable DCI brightness with low-maintenance operation. Perfect for use in small VIP auditoriums, post-production rooms, and small screen cinemas, Christie RGBe Series projectors provide 2000:1 contrast ratio, greater than 90% Rec. 2020 color gamut, and enhanced wavelength diversity to improve image performance on high gain screens - all in a small form factor.

VOX Cinemas Mall of the Emirates Now Certified Under LEED

Christie is pleased to announce that Major Cineplex, the largest movie theatre operator in Thailand, has chosen its high-value RGBe Series laser projection system for deployment in smaller auditoriums across its circuit. This DCI-compliant projector series features RGB laser illumination and CineLife electronics that deliver outstanding visuals with improved colour gamut, brightness, contrast and operational life in an affordable platform. Major Cineplex has acquired the CP2310-RGBe model, which offers 10,000 lumens in brightness and is ideal for screens up to 14 metres (47 feet) wide. More than a dozen CP2310-RGBe projectors have so far been fitted in seven multiplexes located nationwide. With these installations, Major Cineplex currently operates the largest fleet of Christie RGB laser projection systems in Thailand. Equipped with leading edge CineLife and CineLife+ electronics, as well as Real|Laser illumination technology that reveal a world of colour never before seen on screen, these state-of-the-art projectors outperform any other cinema illumination platform and set the stage for the most spectacular cinematic experiences.

"With Christie's RGBe Series projectors, our smaller auditoriums can reap the benefits of RGB laser technology to provide superior cinematic visuals to our patrons," says Apichart Kongchai, Chief Cinema Officer, Major Cineplex. "These projectors are well-suited for deployment in new sites as well as replacing aging systems at existing venues. This enables us to maintain our market leadership position and fulfils our goal of delivering high quality moviegoing experiences."

Vivian Lim, regional sales manager for Southeast Asia, Cinema, Christie, adds, "We are delighted that Major Cineplex has embraced our RGBe Series projectors designed for smaller auditoriums as it seeks to rejuvenate older cinemas and further expand its footprint domestically. This is a clear demonstration of Major's confidence in our direct-coupled RGB laser projection system that delivers amazing visual experiences for moviegoers through an affordable platform that performs well into the future." Featuring a highly-efficient laser light source that allows for improved image performance on high gain screens and increased light efficiency for reduced power

VOX Cinemas' Mall of the Emirates location has been awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v4.1 O+M (Operations + Maintenance) Existing Interiors. This comes close on the heels of its City Centre Mirdif location's distinction as the world's first cinema to be awarded the same certification. The only cinema in the MENA region to receive this coveted environmental achievement, VOX Cinemas earned a gold certification for both its Mall of the Emirates and City Centre Mirdif locations from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which aligns with Majid Al Futtaim's company-wide sustainability strategy 'Dare Today, Change Tomorrow'. LEED, developed by USGBC, is the most widely used green-building rating system in the world and is a globally recognised symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership. Deepthy K. B., Regional Director of Market Development at GBCI Middle East, presented the LEED v4.1 O+M Existing Interiors certificate to Francis Anthony Uy, Head of Technical & Sustainability and congratulated Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas for its consistent commitment towards the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, while simultaneously offering a hugely impactful cinema experience for its stakeholders through healthy and high-performing assets.

Peter Stubbs, Director of HSE and Sustainability, Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas, "LEED is an international symbol of excellence, and we are incredibly honoured to become the only cinema in the world to earn this coveted accolade, given our common goal to build a healthy and sustainable future. At Majid Al Futtaim, we are continuously implementing environmentally sustainable practices in line with our 'Dare Today, Change Tomorrow' strategy and as part of our commitment to provide a healthy environment for our customers, employees, business partners and the local community. Achieving this important milestone demonstrates how the innovative work of our teams and continued investment in greener technology across our assets can create local solutions that contribute to making a global impact."

Gopalakrishnan P., Managing Director, GBCI India, MENA and SEA markets, said, "The latest in LEED v4.1 personifies Sustainability, Health and Wellness, Resiliency and Social Equity. Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas has adopted the LEED v4.1 O+M Existing Interiors version for both VOX Cinemas Mall of the Emirates and City Centre Mirdif in deference to the evolving customer, who apart from enjoying the audiovisual content, also wants to be in a space that is focused on sustainability to add to their health and wellbeing."