K-Content News

Theaters and film festivals collaborating with OTT services
  • September 13, 2021 | Broadcasting

Theaters and film festivals collaborating with OTT services

Updated: 2021-09-10 13:47:57 KST
 

 

Over-the-top video services and movie theaters are two contrasting ways to enjoy films. However, theaters and even film festivals are finding ways to collaborate with OTT services by screening content that has already been released online.

"One of the country’s largest cinema chains CGV has decided to showcase Korean films that went straight to Netflix. Seven films including the sci-fi blockbuster "Space Sweepers" are appearing on the big screen."

Around 80 CGV theaters nationwide will show the films until September 12th. Even though these movies have already been released online through streaming platforms, they are proving popular in theaters too.

"In five days, around 3-thousand people came to watch "Space Sweepers". OTT services and theaters are projected to cooperate and coexist with both having their own unique characteristics."

A film festival has broadened its horizons too. This year's Busan International Film Festival has launched a new section called "On Screen", screening Netflix and HBO Asia's to-be-released drama series. The section programmer says the idea has a lot of merits.

"We believe film festivals need to let talented independent movie directors be able to pave their own way to OTT service platforms. In the long term, we believe that this could be possible and with this section of the festival as the starting point."

One business expert says that such a cooperation would be a win-win situation for both parties.

"It will lead them to playing to their own strengths more. South Korean theaters are some of the best in the world with their 4DX technology. OTT platforms cannot provide such an experience. Films would then be split up into those that are to be released in theaters first and those on OTT platforms first."

Thanks to such collaborations audiences will be able to enjoy high quality content in different ways. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang news.