Through its brand newflagship multiplex GV Vivocity, Singapore's largest exhibitor Golden Village has become the first in South-East Asia toinstall a 3D digital cinema system provided by Kodak.

Using Real D's 3Dstereoscopic technologies, the new system is equipped with a Kodak cine-serverand Barco projector. Upcoming 3D releases include the international re-issue ofTim Burton's The Nightmare BeforeChristmas as well as animations MonsterHouse and Chicken Little. Thesystem can also handle 2D digital films.

As rival Singapore exhibitors Cathay, Eng Wah andShaw have already gone digital, now all Singapore's major cinema circuits are capable of playingdigital formats. The country boasts one of the highest adoption rates fordigital screens in Asia, with approximately 15% of all screens beingdigital.

The $11m (S$16.9m) GVVivocity is the country's biggest multiplex, with 15 screens, and the mostluxurious with three Gold Class halls. It is due to open its doors to thepublic on October 7 while a gala launch is scheduled on November 21 with thepremiere of Happy Feet.

Managing director KennethTan anticipates GV Vivocity to push the circuit's market share in terms of boxoffice from the current 45% to beyond 50%. He also expects admissions for thenew cinema to hit 1.3 million in the first 12 months, of which 500,000 are newadmissions, which translate to an additional $2.5m (S$4m)-plus in box officerevenues.

After a rather flat year inticket sales in 2005, Tan adds that Singapore's box office is on track for a 10% year-on-year risethis year, mainly driven by the increase in screen capacity. Earlier this yearsaw Singapore's first new cinema in seven years with the reopeningof the signature Cathay building.