Gozo’s only cinema saved by funding scheme

Having faced the risk of closure due to industry-imposed – and pricey – digital projection mechanisms, Gozo’s Citadel Cinema will reopen with a 4K SXRD experience courtesy of Sony Digital Cinema.

19 December 2014, 1:00pm

2 min read

Gozo Minister Anton Refalo said that "there is now another reason to visit Gozo"

Citadel Cinema in Victoria, Gozo opened its doors again to the general public on 12 December, after it faced the prospect of permanent closure due to expensive industry-imposed digital projection mechanisms.

On 31 March of last year, Citadel Cinema – the sister island’s only multiplex – was forced to go on indefinite hiatus. The reason: Hollywood studios have decided to stop releasing films on good-old-fashioned film reels, given that it’s cheaper and easier to ship and distribute films on digital format.

The reopening was made possible through a funding scheme from the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government. Minister for Gozo Anton Refalo, visited the cinema and congratulated the management.

All films are distributed by KRS Releasing Ltd and an arrangement has been made for films to be released at the Citadel Cinema together with the cinemas across Malta.

Minister Refalo said that “there is now another good reason to visit Gozo”. The Citadel Cinemas in Gozo have gone digital with the latest technology. White Light Pictures Ltd in association with Sound Associates Ltd of the UK and Sony Digital Cinema, have supplied and installed two unparalleled cinema projection systems: Sony's SXR-R510P Digital Cinema 4K Projectors.

Directors Angelo Cefai, Grace Attard and Louise Bajada, with the help of Mario Loporto, thanked Refalo for his continuous support.

Loporto said that this will be the first truly native 4K installation in the Maltese Islands and the result is even better than anything else available in cinema today. Colours are much more vibrant, detail is crisp and there is a feeling of depth, giving audiences the best possible viewing entertainment experience. Audiences will experience 7.1 surround sound.

Raymond A. Grech, Director of White Light Pictures Ltd said: “We have left no stone unturned to bring together a unique cinematic experience for the enjoyment of Maltese and Gozitans alike. We have worked endlessly to make this dream a reality.”