Page 11 - CinemaRecord #11R.pdf

Newsreel by Martin Powell

Waverley Cinema Plans for Two More Screens. The Waverley Cinema has applied for a planning
permit to build two 50 seat theatrettes. The theatrettes will be fully equipped with Dolby Digital sound, luxury
seating and a bar. The Waverley's Moviegoer email is wcinema@waverleycinema.com.au

8x8 Film Festival. A film festival of 8mm proportions. It's Lights! Cameras! Action! for Super 8 and Standard
8 filmmakers! This totally 8 film festival will be held on Saturday 8/8/98 at the Victorian Movie Makers Theatrette,
2 Napier Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne Victoria. All film topics must have something to do with '8', be no shorter
than 8 seconds and no longer than 8 minutes. The deadline for entries is Saturday 1/8/98. All films will be
judged by the audience, with 8 main prizes being awarded. A video copy of the 8 best films will be screened
across 8 locations in Australian and overseas through movie clubs.
For further information and entry forms contact:8x8 Film Festival, PO Box 122, Highet! 3190
Phone/fax: 03 9532 5266. Email: martin@interdomain.net.au
Info and entry forms are also available at www.vicnet.net.au/-caths
Windsor Theatre Now A Nightclub. The former Hoyts Windsor Theatre at 174 Peel Street is now the Empire
nightclub. Opening night was Friday 1st May.

Australia's Cultural Network Now Online. Australia's Cultural Network is now online at http://www.acn.net.au/
mail annoucement from Jenny Millea, Editor, Australia's Cultural Network. Email Jenny at: editor@acn.net.au]

Village To Build Hobart Cinemas. Village Road show will develop a six-screen cinema complex in the Hobart
suburb of Glenorchy. Village is also planning a refurbishment of its Cinema City 7 complex on Collins Street in
Hobart, to be completed this year.

Village Fundraising To Finance Worldwide Expansion. The entertainment group Village Roadshow is to
raise fresh capital from investors for the fourth time in two years, stating that it needed more funds to finance its
rapid worldwide cinema expansion plan. Village is looking to sell up to $US140 million ($A215 million) worth of
convertible debt securities. This would take its fundraising tally to more than $600 million. The money would be
used to fund the growth of its cinema business that stretches throughout Australia, Asia and Europe.
It is understood Village is looking to buy into the United States. Industry sources have indicated that Village has
sounded out several US cinema chains in a bid to get a foothold in the industry. Hoyts is reviewing its position
in the US and has considered selling out or forming a partnership with another big player. Village has stated it
wants to become the largest cinema exhibitor in the world with more than 3000 screens.

Happy Hammond Dies. Happy will be fondly remembered as the cheerful presenter of the children's television
program The Happy Show in the earty years of Melbourne television.
Agora Cinema Re-opens. The Agora Cinema at LaTrobe University in Bundoora has re-opened. The cinema
had closed in mid 1997. The Agora Cinema can be contacted on 94711241 .

CATHS Internet lntro. Workshop was held on Saturday 28 March. Twelve members participated, most having
little or no experience of computers or the internet. By the end of the session everyone had learned some basic
computer skills and surfed the internet. The next session will probably be held in June or July. Contact Martin on
03 9786 9158 if you are interested in coming along.
Major Works at the Astor. The Astor Theatre in St Kilda recently completed major upgrading works. The
works include: • New curved screen which is 40% larger than the previous screen.
• Relocation/new work on the art deco proscenium plaster work.
• New lamps and lenses for the projectors.
• Installation of air conditioning.
This was completed in time for the special three week April season of Ben Hur, presented in 70mm and 6 track
magnetic sound. The Astor continued screening regular programs during the period of renovation works, ex-
cept for two nights when the new screen was installed.

Village Entertainment Property Trust. The $244 million property trust set up by Village Roadshow closed a
week early on 18 March because of strong demand. The Trust's 123.5 million publicly available units launched
at $1 per unit, and rose as high as $1.16 on the first day of trading for the Trust.
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