Lightyear has launched a program to exhibit new films, in its tastefully renovated screening room, that will enable emerging filmmakers to break into the rarified air of the film industry which for decades has been elusive to all but Hollywood insiders.

Lightyear is spearheading the change that will facilitate the best emerging talent to be seen in the very screening room that film legends have used to show their productions.  The Lightyear program is designed to connect new filmmakers with industry professionals and enable creative mentoring. 

To effect the program Lightyear donated a 2-hour weekly slot in the screening room and the initiative commenced on February 12th when the Lightyear Emerging Filmmakers Forum (LEFF) met for the first time.  The attendance included representatives from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Harvard University, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia (SFU), Yale University and the American Film Institute (AFI).   Promising films reviewed by LEFF will ultimately be shown to an invited audience of agents, promoters and producers to seek contracts, funding and distribution.  

Innovation in digital film equipment and production techniques has lowered the cost of high quality filmmaking into the range of students and amateurs who are now creating record numbers of good quality films. There are various categories for submission of material that include completed feature films, shorts, 3D and sample clips for production of film or television.

The initial board of the Lightyear Emerging Filmmakers Forum comprises of:

Michael Filimowicz – SFU Lecturer, School of Interactive Arts & Technology and Faculty Director of the Interdisciplinary Program, Lifelong Learning

Allyson Nadia Field – UCLA Assistant Professor Cinema and Media Studies

Ketelyn Lieber – New Films International Marketing Manager

“The Aidikoff Screening Room, with its world class facilities and clientele, will be a new locus for discovering and launching the careers of some of the best new talent in filmmaking,” stated Filimowicz “We’re really excited about collaborating with Lightyear to create new access points to funding and distribution for student filmmakers and independent producers. This is a ground-breaking move for new filmmakers who would not normally be afforded the opportunity to reach the Hollywood industry.  Lightyear’s donation will allow new talent to exhibit their productions in the very place that every filmmaker aspires to be screened some day”.

 Lightyear’s screening room serves the major studios, agents and promoters.  Screen icons such as Al Pacino, Mel Gibson, Sean Penn, Jodie Foster, James Cameron and virtually everyone from the “who’s who” of Hollywood has patronized the legendary theatre.  Charles Aidikoff has hosted the very best in film history for over 75-years and has known every star from Orson Wells to Robert De Niro.  Aidikoff was the first person to screen the original Star Wars for George Lucas.

 Lightyear believes in encouraging emerging talent within the realm of digital media, arts and technology and continues to donate generously to those spheres.

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.

Just steps from the exclusive Beverly Wilshire Hotel and the sparkling fountains and fashionable stores of Via Rodeo, this highly technically advanced private theatre is certified by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Academy screenings and is used extensively by the “who’s who” of the motion picture industry.  Hollywood icons such as Elizabeth Taylor and Al Pacino along with music legends like Paul McCartney and Gene Simmons have relaxed in the theatre’s comfortable reclining seating.

The theatre offers screenings in traditional film, high-definition digital format and 3D.  It is recognized internationally for excellence in high quality presentation and technical reliability.  With its large reception area, the theatre also holds regular champagne receptions and other exclusive catered events for major Hollywood celebrities, producers, film studio executives and personalities from the global production community.  Lightyear will be giving the theatre a fresh new look in time for the 2011 Academy Awards season and the “Oscar” bookings are already pouring in.

In a media interview Bob Dominick, Lightyear’s President and Chief Executive Officer indicated that he’s pleased to be extending Lightyear into the heart of Beverly Hills, “The name of this theatre has a long history attached to it as the Aidikoff family has been in the business of motion picture exhibition since the days of silent film.  The former owner Charlie Aidikoff, at the age of 95, is a Hollywood legend himself, he’s known by everyone in the industry and will remain welcome at the theatre for as long as he wishes. We want to keep the Aidikoff name alive in the Hollywood community”.

Lightyear and Charlie Aidikoff entertained Surrey, British Columbia Mayor Dianne Watts, Surrey Councillors Linda Hepner and Barbara Steele and Simon Fraser University Surrey Campus Executive Director Joanne Curry when they visited the Beverly Hills theatre last year.

Following their visit Lightyear installed a world-class “showcase” high-definition digital and 3D research and development theatre system in Simon Fraser University Surrey. This $500,000 donation took the form of a complete retrofit to SFU’s existing 200-seat Westminster Savings Credit Union theatre located on the university campus.  It is now one of the finest audio visual theatres in Canada and enables students to “experience” their work in exceptional quality.

“SFU students will benefit from being able to create exciting new content, whether movies or digital effects, pushing them and their works to new limits as they learn to overcome the challenges of working in high-definition and 3D,” stated SFU President Michael Stevenson. “SFU faculty will also use this platform for their research.”

Bob Dominick added, “To further aid SFU’s School of Interactive Arts and Technology and the School of Contemporary Arts, we will be using our digital broadcasting capabilities to connect the SFU Surrey theatre and the SFU Contemporary Arts facility to our Beverly Hills theatre.  This interactive broadcast connection will permit students to communicate directly with motion picture and entertainment industry executives and celebrities, something I don’t imagine that’s possible in any other North American university”.

A recent Lightyear demonstration at SFU revealed how digitalization of the motion picture industry permits theatres to step away from the entertainment arena and carry out other functions such as enhanced and interactive educational programming.

“We’re very pleased Lightyear Digital Theatre chose SFU Surrey as the location to showcase this innovative education tool,” says Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts.  “We are living in the digital age.  And, here in Surrey, we want to be at the forefront of the technological advancements that are taking place.  From high-definition multi-media lectures to interactive distance learning, it’s the ultimate classroom environment, and it also provides the community with a great new arts facility.”

Lightyear is affiliated with some of the world’s most recognised names in the digital theatre industry and will shortly be launching its roll-out of unique high-definition and 3D digital theatres from Surrey.  These state-of-the-industry 50 to 2,000 seat theatres, in tandem with Lightyear’s dedicated digital broadcast platform, will open up North America to a whole new world of exceptional quality entertainment, education, information, arts and culture.

Lightyear Digital Theatre (Canada) Ltd. has donated a world-class “showcase” high-definition digital and 3D demonstration research and development theatre to Simon Fraser University (“SFU”) in Surrey, British Columbia. This $500,000 donation is in the form of a complete retrofit to SFU’s existing 200-seat Westminster Savings Credit Union theatre located on the university campus.

The theatre will be opened at 7.30 pm on Friday March 5, 2010 by Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts, SFU President Michael Stevenson, Lightyear’s President & CEO Robert Dominick and Lightyear’s Founder David Hosler.  There is a “Hollywood” theme evening being held in SFU’s Dale B. Regehr Grand Hall commencing at 7.00 pm, with some 200 invited guests from all levels of government, educators and executives from the motion picture industry throughout North America attending.  An ensemble from the Surrey Orchestra will play during the reception and RCMP will attend in red serge dress uniform.  From 7.30 to 8.45 guests will be treated to a display of exceptional high-definition and 3D material.  There is a special media preview from 5.30 to 6.30.

Lightyear is proud to be launching its roll-out of unique high-definition and 3D digital theatres from Surrey, British Columbia.  These theatres, in tandem with Lightyear’s dedicated digital broadcast platform, will open up North America to a whole new world of exceptional quality entertainment, education, information, arts and culture.

Lightyear’s business model, Compact Interactive Theatre (“CIT”), is a blend of live events, theatre, screened media and digital technology.  With stunning high-definition audio visual and 3D presentation these streamlined, economical and versatile theatres, through connectivity to digital broadcasting, are immediately responsive to changes in programming. The total audio visual effect is spectacular to experience and audience perception is changed forever as a “Window to Reality” environment is created.

One function of a CIT is to create the ultimate classroom environment.  From interactive distance learning to sharing thousands of the world’s finest lectures, tuition will be brilliantly enhanced by the dynamic images and immersive virtual sound.  The benefit of a CIT is its adaptability to any environment, whether a 50-seat theatre in a remote community or the most elaborate 1,800 seat concert hall, everyone will experience the same amazing consistent quality.

Another function of CIT’s is to take high-definition audio visual content, with studio quality, to small communities and suburban areas.  Lightyear will apply special emphasis to community theatres and create in them an environment that can seldom be found even in large urban centres.  A CIT will become an integral part of any community, enabling state-of-the-industry entertainment, cultural and educational programming to be enjoyed in the thousands of small towns and remote communities throughout North America.  An extremely affordable community theatre digital retrofit can bring new life to each town, dramatically increasing revenue streams for the exhibitor and significantly lowering their operating costs.

Lightyear’s “showcase” at SFU is a prototypical CIT and will be used by SFU, the School of Interactive Arts and Technology and the School of Contemporary Arts.  The Lightyear “team” comprises of some of the most respected and well known names in the manufacturing and installation of motion picture and digital theatres. Lightyear’s “showcase” theatre in SFU will rank amongst the finest in North America and the CIT launch will ensure that the spotlight of the industry remains firmly on the City of Surrey for a considerable time.

Lightyear Digital Theatre (Canada) Ltd. is proud to be launching its roll-out of unique high-definition and 3D digital theatres from Surrey, British Columbia.  These theatres, in tandem with Lightyear’s digital broadcast platform, will open up North America to a whole new world of exceptional quality entertainment, education, information, arts and culture.

Lightyear’s business model, Compact Interactive Theatre (CIT), is a blend of live events, theatre, screened media and digital technology.  With stunning high-definition audio visual and 3D presentation these streamlined, economical and versatile theatres, through connectivity to digital broadcasting, are immediately responsive to changes in programming. The total audio visual effect is spectacular to experience and audience perception is changed forever as Window to Reality environment is created.

One function of a CIT is to create the ultimate classroom environment. From interactive distance learning to sharing thousands of the world’s finest lectures, tuition will be brilliantly enhanced by the dynamic images and immersive virtual sound.  The benefit of a CIT is its adaptability to any environment, whether a 50-seat theatre in a remote community or the most elaborate 1,500 seat concert hall, everyone will experience the same amazing consistent quality.

Another function of CITs is to take high-definition audio visual content, with studio quality, to small communities and suburban areas.  Lightyear will apply special emphasis to community theatres and create in them an environment that can seldom be found even in large urban centres.  A CIT will become an integral part of any community, enabling state-of-the-industry entertainment, cultural and educational programming to be enjoyed in the thousands of small towns and remote communities throughout North America.  An extremely affordable community theatre digital retrofit will bring new life to each town, dramatically increasing revenue streams for the exhibitor and significantly lowering the operating costs.

Lightyear has donated a world-class showcase high-definition digital demonstration research and development theatre to Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Surrey, British Columbia. This $500,000 donation took the form of a complete retrofit to SFU’s existing 200-seat Westminster Saving Credit Union theatre located on the university campus.  Lightyear’s showcase is a prototypical CIT and will be used by both SFU and the School of Interactive Arts and Technology.  Lightyear will also utilize this showcase as a proof of concept high-definition and 3D demonstration venue for potential exhibitors from all corners of North America.   The Lightyear team comprises of some of the most respected and well known names in the manufacturing and installation of motion picture and digital theatres. Lightyear’s showcase theatre in SFU will rank amongst the finest in North America and the CIT launch will ensure that the spotlight of the industry remains firmly on the City of Surrey for a considerable time.

In 2010 Lightyear donated to Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Surrey, British Columbia (www.surrey.sfu.ca) a world-class showcase high-definition digital demonstration research and development theatre. This took the form of a retrofit to their existing 200-seat theatre located on the university campus. This showcase is a prototypical Lightyear CIT and will be used for demonstration purposes.

Having a CIT demonstration venue in the heart of one of Canada’s most venerated learning institutions is a huge benefit for Lightyear as SFU is home to the School of Interactive of Arts and Technology (SIAT), an institution that plays a leading role in the creation of new media and new technologies. Lightyear and SIAT are excited at the prospect of being able to work together for the advancement of talent in the graduate and under-graduate degree programs.

The SFU campus is exceptionally well connected. There is immediate access to SkyTrain and its rapid 35 minute transit service to downtown Vancouver and Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The Canada/US border crossing into Washington State and Interstate 5 is a 25 minute drive.

Lightyear has committed to distance learning being one of the primary functions of its CIT program and distribution network. This is enhanced by the opportunity for Lightyear to work with the students of the cutting-edge SIAT, where they have programs such as Media Arts. This program involves the creation, analysis and understanding of digital media. The SIAT digital film studios, close to the theatre, are used to explore new forms of digital videography, video games, immersive virtual reality and sound synthesis. The SIAT design studios work with new media and interactive applications. The students from these programs now have the opportunity to work with a world-class digital theatre. The main focus of SIAT is concentrated on how people use technology in their lives to create better interactions exactly the philosophy of a CIT.

“A Lightyear Compact Interactive Theatre takes cinema to the next dimension”. A state of the industry audio/visual experience. The most sophisticated network of programming available. Ultra comfortable seating in an intimate environment. Uniquely designed in modular format for 50 – 2000 seats. Each theatre is a cinema, classroom and forum.