On Saturday 30 August, discussions focused on the challenges arising from new technologies and the related support mechanisms for the distribution of European cinematographic works.
On this occasion ESA (in conjunction with its industrial partner Elsacom, as coordinator, together with Marinastudios and Cinecittà Holding) was invited to demonstrate a project called E-Screen, which is being funded under its telecommunications programme.
The E-Screen project aims to develop an effective, economical and operational model based on the introduction of Digital and Electronic Cinema all over Europe. It has led to the development of a network of digital screens in Europe, equipped with the latest technologies available and served by a satellite link. So far, the project has involved seven cinemas in five European countries and is likely to be extended to others.
The event on Saturday afternoon, structured as a talk show with guests from the industrial companies that are developing the system, was filmed in High-Definition TV from ESA's ESRIN facility in Frascati near Rome. It was then uplinked to a Eutelsat satellite and broadcast to Venice both at Palazzo Labia, where the European Union Ministers met, and in Sala Volpi for the general public of the Biennale.
Claudio Mastracci, ESA's Director of Application Programmes, who introduced this event from Venice, said: "Once again ESA, thanks to its telecommunications programme, is promoting the development of new applications by helping industry and service providers to become competitive in the multimedia satellite market, which is led by the growth in demand for innovative services such as High-Definition TV and Digital and Electronic Cinema, soon to become a reality in Europe."
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