ONLY 5 spots remaining for the ICTA Summer Annual Convention 2026
Click on the image to register | |
Hello
🎆 Independence is in the air! Wishing our friends and members in Canada a Happy Canada Day and those in the United States a Happy Independence Day. Hope everyone gets a moment to celebrate.
June 2026 was one of the most eventful months for cinema technology in years. CineEurope 2026 in Barcelona dominated the trade conversation, while blockbuster box office results, a landmark AI investment, SMPTE's decision to make its technical standards freely accessible worldwide, and significant corporate moves in exhibition all competed for attention.
Across technology, business, and audience behavior, the industry's direction is clear: premium presentation and immersive experiences are the growth engine, Gen Z is the defining audience, and AI is transitioning from a theoretical conversation to an actual investment priority.
Our promise remains the same:
👉 One place for people who love cinema technology.
👉 Only the insights that help you run better, more future‑proof theatres.
| | ICTA at CineEurope 2026: Technology, Innovation, and Momentum
| |
|
CineEurope 2026 delivered an unmistakable sense of momentum for the global exhibition industry. With the EMEA box office in May finishing 24% above pre-pandemic benchmarks, attention shifted to the next phase of exhibition, where technology, innovation, and premium experiences are driving long-term growth. That optimism was reflected throughout the week as exhibitors, manufacturers, and industry partners explored the ideas and solutions shaping tomorrow's moviegoing experience.
Technology took center stage across the trade show floor and exhibition suites, where premium cinema solutions, emerging LED displays, software interoperability, and new concepts like Infinity Vision fueled lively discussions. The focus wasn't simply on what's new, but on solutions that deliver measurable return on investment while elevating the theatrical experience. Conversations also looked ahead to the next generation of cinema design, balancing the modernization of existing multiplexes with fresh approaches to creating more flexible, experience-driven venues.
ICTA remained actively engaged throughout the week, convening its EMEA Mentoring Group, participating in technology discussions on and off stage, and celebrating excellence through the ICTA Global Cinema Awards: EMEA.
Presented during the EMEA Awards Reception overlooking Barcelona's waterfront, the awards recognized outstanding achievement across exhibition:
🏆 Best New Build Cinema: Kinopolis HafenCity, Hamburg, Germany
🏆 Best Cinema Refurbishment: Kino Helios Gdynia, Gdynia, Poland
🏆 Best Classic / Arthouse Cinema: Stella Cinema Rathmines, Dublin, Ireland
Together, the week's conversations, collaborations, and shared commitment to innovation demonstrated an industry focused on delivering exceptional theatrical experiences and building a strong future for cinema.
| | | | | ICTA Annual Business Convention | |
|
In 10 days, we're heading to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for three unforgettable days of learning, networking, and fun! And we want you to be part of it!
This is the perfect blend of business and pleasure, professional development during the day, unforgettable experiences in the evenings, and plenty of opportunities to strengthen relationships with colleagues from across the cinema industry.
A Convention the Whole Family Can Enjoy
Bring your spouse and make it a summer getaway! While you're attending educational seminars and networking with industry leaders, your spouse will enjoy a dedicated agenda featuring:
🍷 Cedarburg Wine Tasting
🚢 Milwaukee River Boat Cruise
Then everyone comes together for memorable evening events, including:
🏍️ A tour of the Harley-Davidson Museum
🌆 A rooftop reception with spectacular city views
🍽️ Group dinners with fellow attendees
🍺 An evening at the Bavarian Bierhaus, featuring entertainment from The Traveling Cinema Thugs
Don't Wait! We're Almost Sold Out! Register Here
| | |
Sources to read more:
ICTA
Summer Convention - Milwaukee
| | | | ICTA FutureScript | In Conversation: Adam Bhala Lough, Director of Deepfaking Sam Altman | |
|
The next FutureScript brings one of documentary filmmaking's sharpest voices to the cinema industry.
Adam Bhala Lough is the Emmy-nominated filmmaker behind HBO's Telemarketers, Lil Wayne's The Carter, and three Sundance selections. His latest, Deepfaking Sam Altman, is a hybrid comedy-documentary about artificial intelligence, produced by Kevin Hart and New York Magazine, currently sitting at 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.
He'll be in conversation with Keerthana Mahadevan, Founder of Segmentide and host of the FutureScript series, exploring what AI means for storytelling, cinema, and the industry's future.
Live on Zoom. Practical, candid, and built for cinema professionals worldwide. Bring your questions.
Date: July 29th | Live on Zoom | Open Q&A + Show & Tell | Breakout Rooms | Registrations Open
| | | | | Press Releases / Member News | | Barco and Kinopolis: Germany's Largest Laser Cinema Rollout | |
|
One of the most significant technology deals of the month was announced at CineEurope: Barco and Kinopolis signed a four-year agreement to complete a 100% laser projection transition across all mainstream auditoriums in the Kinopolis estate. The deal covers the installation of more than 70 Barco Series 4 laser projectors in both 2K and 4K configurations across 11 Kinopolis locations throughout Germany.
Building on a partnership that began in 2022, the deal positions laser projection not as a premium exception but as the standard for every mainstream screen in the Kinopolis portfolio. The announcement was accompanied by two industry honors for Kinopolis: the UNIC/Coca-Cola Retail Award 2026 for its Bad Homburg cinema and the ICTA Best New Build Cinema 2025–2026 award for its Hamburg HafenCity multiplex.
Read more...
| | | | Christie VDR and RGBH: European Debut | |
|
Christie’s CineEurope presence delivered the first European demonstrations of its CP4410m-RGBH and CP4420m-RGBH projectors, as well as the introduction of Christie VDR as a software-based upgrade path for existing CineLife+ RealLaser installations. VDR is positioned as an accessible route to improved contrast, deeper blacks, and better laser lifetime without requiring hardware replacement, making it relevant for exhibitors managing total cost of ownership across larger screen estates.
Read More...
| | | |
SMPTE Makes Its Standards Freely Accessible, Opening Standards Library to the Global Media Technology Community | |
SMPTE®, the home of media professionals, technologists and engineers, has announced that its entire Standards catalog is now freely available to the global media technology community. This includes all published SMPTE Standards, Recommended Practices, Engineering Guidelines and Registered Disclosure Documents (RDDs), as well as all future releases. For more than a century, SMPTE Standards have helped enable the interoperability that underpins the entertainment technology industry. By removing barriers to access, this milestone is expected to accelerate adoption and implementation, strengthen interoperability, and help drive the next generation of innovation.
Read more...
| GDC Technology and Odeon Multicines Partner on Multi-Site Tricorne Premium LED Rollout in Spain | |
BARCELONA, Spain, June 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GDC Technology (GDC), a global leader in digital cinema solutions, today announced its expanded partnership with Odeon Multicines to roll out micro-perforated, acoustically transparent Tricorne Premium LED screens across the Spanish exhibitor's premium circuit.
Read more...
| Barco HDR: Universal and Focus Features Slate Confirmed | |
In early May, Barco announced that five new films from Universal Pictures and Focus Features would release in HDR by Barco, confirming ongoing studio support for the format and giving exhibitors additional content programming around their premium HDR installations. This remained a useful reference point heading into CineEurope as part of a broader industry conversation about the commercial pipeline for HDR presentation beyond flagship locations.
Read more...
| HOYTS Partners with GDC Technology to Attain the Peak of Cinema | |
Australia's first curved, acoustically transparent cinema LED screens set a new benchmark for a premium moviegoing experience
MELBOURNE, Australia, June 25, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- HOYTS hosted an experience showcase debuting its new APEX cinema at HOYTS Melbourne Central, and HOYTS' second APEX screen located at Karrinyup. Tricorne Premium LED screens form the visual centerpiece of APEX, HOYTS' flagship premium cinema format, that integrates Dolby Atmos, premium seating, and purpose-designed lighting to deliver a unique and immersive movie experience.
Read more...
| | | | CineEurope 2026: Barcelona Defines the EMEA Agenda | | CineEurope 2026: Barcelona Defines the EMEA Agenda | |
Join us in Barcelona — 22-25 June 2026 | The 35th edition of CineEurope took place June 22–25 at the Centre de Convencions. Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB), marking a milestone anniversary for Europe's largest cinema exhibition convention. The event brought together studio executives, exhibitors, distributors, and technology providers for four days of studio presentations, trade fair demonstrations, and educational programming. For the first time, Amazon MGM Studios participated as an exhibitor, signaling deepened alignment between major studios and the EMEA exhibition community. | | | | | Seven Talking Points from CineEurope 2026 | |
Adam Newport-Berra / Ben Dalton / ©Régine Mahaux:Canal+ / IMAGO / ABACAPRESS | |
ScreenDaily's post-convention analysis identified the power of fandoms, popular genre strategies, and persistent structural pressures as the defining talking points from the Barcelona show. Audience segmentation around fandom-driven IP franchises, sequels, and gaming adaptations was a central discussion, reflecting the industry's growing understanding that reliable theatrical audiences build around passionate communities rather than casual viewers.
Structural challenges around admissions recovery, operating economics, and studio–exhibitor relationships remained “the elephant in the room,” per ScreenDaily’s framing.
| | | | |
ICTA @ CineHamburg, Germany
ICTA’s international branch will contribute a curated session to the programme of CineHamburg on Tuesday 7 July in the afternoon, focused on cinema technology and investment topics. CineHamburg takes place at the Congress Center Hamburg and brings together the former KINO (Baden‑Baden) and FILMTAGE (Cologne) formats into a single national meeting point for cinema operators, distributors, and technology providers. The trade show floor provides a setting for companies to present products and services and engage with the professional audience attending the exhibition, slate presentations, and conference programme. For more information contact Natalie Blum.
| ICTA @ CJ Cinema Summit #117 | |
Join us on Wednesday, 15 July as the CJ Cinema Summit celebrates the winners of the Fifth Annual North American Cinema Awards, presented by the International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) in partnership with Celluloid Junkie and BoxofficePro.
As a part of ICTA's Global Cinema Awards, NACA annually recognizes exhibitors pushing theatrical exhibition forward through design, renovation, presentation, and technology. We’ll speak with representatives from this year’s winning cinemas about what made their projects stand out and how they are elevating the moviegoing experience.
The 2025 North American Cinema Award winners are:
🏆 Best New Cinema Build: Megaplex South Jordan at Daybreak – South Jordan, Utah
🏆 Best Cinema Refurbishment: Roadhouse Cinemas Roadies Lanes + Games + Gastropub – Tucson, Arizona
🏆 Best Classic Cinema: Southampton Playhouse – Southampton, New York
🏆 Best Use of Technology in a Cinema: Regal Boise – Boise, Idaho
Whether it’s reimagining a beloved venue, building a new destination from the ground up, or deploying technology in ways that elevate the guest experience, these cinemas offer a window into where exhibition is headed next.
Join Celluloid Junkie and ICTA as we celebrate this year’s winners and explore what their projects reveal about the future of cinema.
|
ICTA @ Big Cinema Expo, India
Big Cine Expo is Asia’s largest cinema exhibition trade show and convention for multiplexes, single-screen cinemas, and malls, held at the Chennai Trade Centre on 18–19 August 2026. The two-day event combines a focused convention programme with a vibrant trade show floor, giving theatre owners, distributors, and technology providers a single platform to explore new projection, sound, seating, signage, and in-theatre service solutions while networking around growth and investment opportunities in the region. For ICTA members, Big Cine Expo offers a valuable connection point into one of the world’s fastest‑growing cinema markets, aligning closely with the association’s focus on premium presentation, operational excellence, and global knowledge‑sharing across the exhibition community.
| | Google DeepMind Invests $75M in A24 | |
|
The most significant AI-in-cinema deal of the month was confirmed on June 22 when Google DeepMind and independent studio A24 announced an AI research partnership backed by approximately $75 million in Google investment. The partnership focuses on developing AI-driven tools for filmmakers, beginning with AI-generated storyboards, while explicitly excluding access to A24's content library or training data. The collaboration connects Google's
most advanced AI research division with one of Hollywood's most creatively influential studios.
Why it matters: The deal accelerates practical AI adoption in production workflows, which will eventually generate downstream effects on distribution, localization, marketing, and how content is formatted for premium presentation. ICTA members in software, systems integration, and digital cinema infrastructure should monitor this closely.
| | | | | Sony Pictures Invests $100M in Cosm | |
|
Sony Pictures Entertainment confirmed a $100 million minority investment in Cosm, the immersive venue company operating dome-based “Shared Reality” installations that present live events and films on 87-foot curved LED screens. Sony's investment, which includes a board seat, signals a strategic interest in immersive theatrical formats beyond traditional rectangular screen cinema. Cosm venues have begun programming immersive versions of films including The Matrix and Harry Potter, and Sony's IP portfolio offers a natural pipeline for the format going forward.
Why it matters: Dome and curved LED immersive installations represent a distinct category of premium experience that sits alongside PLF, Dolby, and HDR projection. As Sony's backing brings scale and IP to Cosm, exhibitors will face new questions about whether shared reality formats belong in their strategic mix.
| | | | | |
The Global Battle Over Cinema Standards: China vs. DCI
| |
TShanghai International Film Festival | |
A significant standards and geopolitics story emerged at the Shanghai International Film Festival in June, where Huawei and Chinese exhibitors and technology firms made a coordinated
push for the HDR Vivid standard as an alternative to the DCI certification that has governed film projection worldwide for two decades. Advocates argued that HDR Vivid offers superior frame
rates, brightness, contrast, and black levels compared to DCI, and that the majority of LED screen technology used globally is already manufactured in China. The standard is being positioned as free of charge to cinemas and distributors, in contrast to DCI's licensing and compliance costs.
Why it matters: If HDR Vivid gains traction outside China, it could create a fragmented global projection standards landscape, complicating content distribution, interoperability, and technology certification for ICTA members.
| | | | | Theatrical Promotional Piece | |
Where Art Meets Technology: Celebrating the Sound of Cinema
The moviegoing experience begins long before the first line of dialogue. As the lights dim and anticipation builds, sound becomes the invisible force that immerses audiences in the story. Recognizing the power of theatrical audio, the Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE) has created a new 60-second promotional piece celebrating the artistry and impact of cinema sound.
"Sound is 50% of the moviegoing experience."
— George Lucas
Narrated by acclaimed actor Chris Pine and featuring sound design by Academy Award, Emmy Award, and Golden Reel Award-winning and nominated members of MPSE, the presentation is designed to remind audiences that the cinematic sound experience can only be fully appreciated in a movie theater. Customized with each exhibitor's logo, the piece is intended to play after the lights go down, setting the stage for the cinematic journey ahead while celebrating the unique emotional power of theatrical sound.
ICTA is honored to debut this inspiring presentation during the 2026 Summer Convention in Milwaukee. More than a pre-show feature, it represents a shared commitment between the creative artists who craft the sound of cinema and the technology professionals who faithfully deliver it to audiences around the world. Together, MPSE and ICTA are celebrating the essential partnership between art and technology, reminding us that every unforgettable movie experience begins with both.
| | Box Office: A Record-Breaking June | | Toy Story 5 Opens to $312M Worldwide | |
|
Jessie, Buzz Lightyear and Woody in 'Toy Story 5'
Disney
| The biggest cinema story of June was the release of Disney/Pixar's Toy Story 5, which opened to $160 million domestically over its June 19–22 opening weekend and a global total of $312 million, the largest opening weekend of 2026 to date and the biggest in franchise history. The film played across 4,425 North American theaters, with PLF ticket prices averaging $19.03 versus $15.25 for standard tickets, reinforcing the direct revenue premium commanded by premium large-format screens. The Monday following opening weekend, Toy Story 5 added $17.3 million for the biggest Monday box office haul of 2026. | | | | | 2026 YTD Box Office Up 14% | |
Jack Black, Jason Momoa and Sebastian Hansen in Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment’s “A Minecraft Movie". Warner Bros | North American box office grosses for the first 21 weeks of 2026 reached approximately $4.46 billion, up 14% from the same period in 2025. The recovery continued to be driven by a combination of franchise IP, genre diversity, and increased premium format uptake. | | |
Sources to read more:
The Hollywood Reporter
Can Gen Z Save Hollywood?
| | | | Gen Z Powers the Audience Comeback | |
Illustrated by Zohar Lazar | CNBC and multiple industry sources confirmed that Gen Z accounted for nearly 40% of all North American moviegoers in 2025, with the demographic averaging approximately seven theater visits per year. Gen Z's engagement with gaming adaptations, anime, and horror is shaping studio programming and exhibition marketing in ways that ICTA members focused on next generation audience strategy will need to follow closely. | | | | | Everyman Cinema Eyes Exit from London Stock Exchange | |
Everyman has seen its share price fall by 80 per cent in recent years | |
UK luxury cinema chain Everyman announced in mid-June that its senior shareholders—holding a combined 45%+ of shares—are advocating for a delisting from AIM, the London junior market, after 13 years as a public company, ahead of a possible takeover bid. Despite the corporate turbulence, Everyman's trading data was strong: for the 21 weeks to May 29, 2026, admissions were up 23.1% to 2.2 million, with revenue of £58.5 million, up 26.5% year-on-year. The proposed delisting reflects investor pressure and a desire for private ownership flexibility rather than weak operational performance.
Why it matters: Everyman's story is a useful data point for how a premium exhibition model can deliver strong attendance and revenue growth while still facing governance and
ownership pressures.
| | | | | Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery Merger Nears EU Approval | |
Warner Brothers Studios ©LiAnG | The $110–111 billion proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance formally entered EU regulatory review in June, with the European Commission setting a July 7, 2026 deadline for a Phase 1 decision. Reports indicated the EU is preparing to approve the deal, subject to remedies potentially including the divestiture of joint ventures and selected assets. If completed, the combined entity would represent one of the largest studio–media combinations in history, with significant implications for content supply, distribution windows, and studio exhibitor negotiations that affect the entire cinema technology ecosystem. | | | | |
Premium Cinema: Strategic Direction Confirmed | | Hollywood Reporter: PLF Is the Highest-Yield Business in the Building | |
A major Hollywood Reporter feature published in late June examined how movie theaters can improve profitability, with the central finding that premium large format screens, including IMAX and Dolby Cinema, represent the highest yield assets in any exhibition estate. The analysis reinforced that premium presentation combines the best picture quality, best sound, and highest ticket prices, making PLF investment the clearest lever available to exhibitors seeking to improve per-screen revenue. | | | | | Disney Infinity Vision: Expanding the PLF Race | |
Disney’s Infinity Vision premium certification, announced at CinemaCon in April, continues to generate industry conversation as a direct challenge to IMAX and Dolby Cinema for the premium screen audience. With plans for approximately 75 U.S. screens and up to 300 globally, Infinity Vision sets standards around screen scale, laser projection, and immersive audio, starting with the September rerelease of Avengers: Endgame. But as Andrew Cripps explained at ICTA’s Cinema Technology Experience in Barcelona, the programme is better understood—at least for now—as a marketing umbrella for high-quality exhibitor-owned premium auditoriums than as a rigid third-party certification scheme, with exhibitors submitting qualifying screens for Disney review as the model continues to evolve. That makes Infinity Vision especially relevant for ICTA members, because it adds competitive pressure not only through premium branding, but also through Disney’s plan to support select screens with differentiated DCPs, exclusive theatrical content elements, and clearer consumer-facing shorthand for premium presentation. | | | | | Trend Summary: June 2026 in Context for ICTA Members | | | Trend | Key Development | ICTA Relevance | | Premium formats
growth | PLF at 15.6% of North American box office;
IMAX at $1.28B record | Validates investment in PLF and HDR tech | | CineEurope hardware
launches | Christie RGBH & VDR; Barco/Kinopolis 70+
laser screens | Technology roadmaps for EMEA integrators | | AI investment | Google DeepMind $75M in A24 | Downstream effects on workflow, software, DCP tools | | Immersive exhibition | Sony $100M in Cosm | Dome/LED immersive as new format category | | Standards challenge | China’s HDR Vivid vs. DCI | Interoperability risk for projection ecosystem | | Exhibition M&A | Everyman delisting; Paramount–WBD
merger | Content supply, studio relationships, ownership models | | Audience behavior | Gen Z = ~40% of North American
moviegoers; 7 visits/year | Drives programming, seating, format, and experience design | | Box office momentum | Toy Story 5 at $312M; 2026 YTD up 14% | Justifies continued technology investment cycles | |
|
|
| | | You're reading the ICTA Monthly Newsletter | |
Thank you for supporting us!
With 4,100+ engaged readers, this newsletter has become something bigger than we imagined; a growing community of cinema professionals staying curious, connected, and ahead of what’s next.
And we’re just getting started.
If something in this edition sparked an idea or added value, share it with someone who should be part of this journey. Every share helps bring more voices into the future of cinema.
If you received this email as a forward, you can join the list directly!
Subscribe now to receive future issues straight to your inbox.
| |
If you want to be featured in our future editions, please get in touch!
Thank you for being part of the ICTA community, and for helping shape the future of cinema technology.
Carrie Dietrich
President, ICTA
| | | | |
