UNIC ANNOUNCE FRANCE TELECOM-ORANGE SPONSORSHIP OF CINEMA INNOVATION AWARD

Brussels, 25 May 2012: The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC), the grouping of European cinema associations and key operators, has today revealed Orange as the sponsor of the inaugural Cinema: Digital Innovation Award, to be awarded at this year’s CineEurope event in Barcelona.

The aim of the Award is to encourage radical new thinking that helps film theatres reach out to new audiences using the Internet, social media and smartphone
applications, with organisations and individuals having until 31 May 2012 to submit headline proposals.

Three shortlisted candidates will be given the chance to present their ideas at CineEurope, Europe’s largest cinema conference, held between 18-21 June at Barcelona’s International Convention Centre. The winner, chosen by the audience on the day, will receive a cash prize from Orange of € 5,000. More importantly, each shortlisted candidate will get the chance to meet with key decision makers from across the European cinema exhibition industry – an ideal chance to find potential clients and secure further seed capital.

Orange is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators and already established as one of the foremost supporters of the film industry and cinema-going
experience.

Commenting on the company’s support for the Award, Donna Soane, Global Senior Sponsorship and Partnerships Manager, Orange:
“Cinema has long been a key focus for Orange. Year on year our company invests more in cinema than any other brand partner. Supporting the Cinema: Digital Innovation Award illustrates again our commitment to the cinema-going experience and shows that we remain at the forefront of establishing new links between digital technology, communications and the creative content industries”.

Welcoming the announcement, UNIC CEO Jan Runge said: “The Award is a new departure for UNIC and indeed for CineEurope. As we look to learn from this experience, it was natural that we should look to partner with Orange, who have an unparalleled track record in their support of innovation in the cinema
environment.”

Robert H. Sunshine of Prometheus Global Media, owners of the event, added: "We are delighted to have been able to present such an innovative award at our first
show in Barcelona. We hope the thinking stimulated will benefit the entire cinema industry."