LIGHTYEAR CELEBRATES CHARLES AIDIKOFF’S 75-YEARS IN THE FILM INDUSTRY AT THE GRAND REOPENING EVENT HELD ON JANUARY 13, 2011

Lightyear Digital Entertainment recently completed an extensive retrofit of its “flagship” theater the legendary Charles Aidikoff Screening Room, located at 150 South Rodeo Drive in the very heart of Beverly Hills.  Lightyear acquired the screening room in August 2010 as an initial step in its process of implementing a completely digital media flow that will revolutionize the distribution of content.

In tandem with the screening rooms Grand Reopening Lightyear celebrated Charlie Aidikoff’s amazing 75-year career in the motion picture industry.  At this star-studded, invitation only event the theater was renamed the “Charles Aidikoff Screening Room a Lightyear Digital Entertainment Theater”.  Rodeo Drive took on a film set look as floodlights and a red carpet welcomed several hundred motion picture industry guests including Beverly Hills city officials, Hollywood celebrities, motion picture industry executives and patrons of the screening room.  The official Grand Reopening ribbon cutting was carried out by Charles Aidikoff himself.

Lightyear was proud to name the theatre after Charles Aidikoff, now in his 96th year. Charlie is a Hollywood legend who’s known and loved by everyone in the industry.  From the days of silent film to today’s innovative digital technology, the Aidikoff name has encompassed four generations in big screen entertainment.  Lightyear thought it important to retain the Aidikoff name for the theatre where Charlie’s grandson Josh is employed as General Manager.  Charlie still arrives daily at the theatre and greets patrons old and new.  “This retrofit is what I’ve wanted to do for twenty years” stated Charles Aidikoff, “It’s beautiful, this is the best screening room in Los Angeles”.

Just steps from the exclusive Beverly Wilshire Hotel and the sparkling fountains and fashionable stores of Via Rodeo, Lightyear’s highly technically advanced private theater is certified by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Academy screenings.  The theater shows a good number of Oscar nominated motion pictures for members of the Academy.

The theater offers screenings in traditional film, high-definition digital format and 3D. With its unrivalled and immersive Klipsch sound system, the theatre is recognized internationally for excellence in high quality presentation and technical reliability.

Lightyear continues to be a leader in the digital theatre industry and will shortly be launching its digital theatre and content distribution program.  Lightyear’s program will offer exhibitors and audiences, in small towns and suburban areas across North America, exceptional quality new or retrofitted theatres networked to Lightyear’s existing international content delivery platform.   This broadcast platform enables a vast spectrum of streamed media to be screened on a 24/7 basis.  Apart from alternative content Lightyear’s initial focus will be on education, arts and culture.