Christie

SYDNEY –  Christie®, the leader in inspiring exceptional experiences, is proud to serve as the official projection partner of the Independent Cinemas Australia (ICA) Conference 2024, taking place in Sydney from May 8-10.  

The annual event offers a premier platform for ICA members to engage in dialogue, share ideas, and connect with industry experts to address the latest developments and challenges. This year, the conference will be hosted at the beautiful heritage-listed Ritz Cinemas in Randwick, NSW. With its transformation into a multiplex featuring eight auditoriums, Ritz seamlessly combines nostalgia with contemporary amenities.  

ICA conference event banner

For over a decade, Christie has stood as a trusted partner and supporter of the ICA, bringing cutting-edge projection technology to independent cinemas and providing technical support for seamless operations. Beyond this, Christie played a pivotal role in facilitating the ICA’s virtual print fee (VPF) agreement and spearheaded the establishment of a dedicated network operations center (NOC) in Melbourne, further solidifying its commitment to ICA members. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome Christie as our projection partner for this year’s ICA Conference,” said Scott Seldon, president of ICA. “Christie’s wealth of experience and cinema expertise has been invaluable to our members, and we eagerly anticipate exploring its cutting-edge cinema solutions, including the exciting debut of the latest CineLife+ RBe cinema projector in Australia.” 

Brett Rosengarten, chief executive officer of ICA, added, “The enduring partnership with Christie is truly cherished by our organization. Over the years, our members have witnessed firsthand how Christie’s innovative projection technologies have redefined the cinematic experience. We’re delighted and eagerly anticipate collaborating with Christie once again at this year’s conference.” 

Brian Claypool, executive vice president for Cinema, Christie, commented, “We are honored to serve as the official projection partner of the ICA Conference, highlighting our commitment to delivering unparalleled cinema experiences. This participation underscores our dedication to supporting the ICA and its members in driving industry innovation, ensuring audiences across Australia enjoy the magic of the movies like never before.” 

RBe projector makes Australian debut 

As the official projection partner, Christie will deploy the latest CineLife+™ RBe laser projector with Phazer™ illumination technology for screenings and presentations, marking its debut in Australia. The Christie CP2411-RBe projector, installed and operated by the team from Hoyts Cinema Technology Group, will illuminate the conference and screening theatre with captivating, true-to-life visuals over the course of the three-day event. 

Introduced at CinemaCon 2024, the RBe projectors are tailored for small screens, providing exceptional value with minimal maintenance and long-lasting performance at 2K resolution, offering brightness ranging from 6,000 to 11,000 lumens. Boasting Phazer illumination technology, RBe projection features more than twice the energy efficiency of a comparable Xenon projector, delivering up to 8.8 lumens per watt.  

Australian multiplex operator Hoyts has become the first customer in the world to acquire Christie’s new RBe projector. A CP2406-RBe, featuring 6,000 DCI lumens, will be fitted in the screening theatre located in its Sydney headquarters. 

Christie at the conference and beyond 

Christie’s involvement in the ICA Conference also includes a speaking engagement by Brian Claypool, executive vice president for Cinema, who will present Christie’s latest innovations. This session highlights Christie’s role in driving technological advancements and shaping the future of cinema.  

Additionally, Christie is the sponsor of a lucky draw, with the grand prize of conference attendance and four nights’ accommodation at the Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach. The winner of the draw is Golden Age Cinema and Bar, represented by its head of Programming, Ingrid Dieckmann.