Brussels, 16/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 16 October, the European Commission launched a public consultation on how to best seize the opportunities and address the challenges of the “digital revolution” in the EU film sector. Digital cinema can make distribution of films cheaper and more flexible, enabling more European films to travel. This, however, requires high investments, and one third of European cinemas could be threatened with closure due to the high cost of digital equipment - unless new business models and viable public support schemes are developed now. “This technological development can create new business opportunities, new jobs and new consumer services - if we create the right framework to stimulate this process,” said EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media Viviane Reding. Feedback from cinema and audiovisual professionals in the 2-month consultation period will inform the Commission in its preparation of a communication early next year setting out the Commission's policy on digital cinema. (I.L./transl.rt)