AUSTRALIA: Christie is continuing its long-standing partnership with Independent Cinemas Australia (ICA) as the exclusive projection partner for the upcoming ICA Conference: Projected by Christie, where the company will also officially introduce its new RGBH hybrid illumination cinema projection technology to the Australian market for the first time.

Taking place from May 13–15 at Palace Pentridge Cinemas in Melbourne, the annual conference will see Christie deploy its new CP4420m-RGBH cinema projector across the event’s main presentation theatre, running all conference content on a 12-metre-wide silver screen throughout the three-day program. Hosted within the uniquely redeveloped Palace Pentridge Cinemas — a 15-screen multiplex transformed from the historic Coburg prison in northern Melbourne — the conference continues to serve as one of Australia’s key gatherings for the independent cinema sector.

The event marks the second year of Christie’s three-year sponsorship commitment with ICA and represents the official Australian debut of Christie’s RGBH hybrid illumination platform, designed to extend the company’s CineLife+ Series portfolio with a projection solution focused on image quality, operational flexibility, energy efficiency, and long-term sustainability for small- and medium-format cinema screens.

Christie’s long-term partner, Hoyts Cinema Technology Group, will once again oversee installation and operational support for the CP4420m-RGBH projector before and during the conference, ensuring seamless delivery throughout the event.

“The ICA Conference is about equipping independent cinema operators with knowledge, perspective, and practical solutions,” said Nick Hayes, Chief Executive Officer of ICA. “Christie’s continued support as projection sponsor, and the opportunity for our members to experience its new RGBH cinema projector firsthand, adds real value to the conference and to the broader independent cinema community.”

Han Kim, Vice President of Sales, APAC, Christie, emphasised the importance of engaging directly with the independent cinema market through the conference platform. “As a long-standing supporter of the ICA, we’re proud to continue our partnership and to bring new cinema technology directly to the independent cinema community. ICA Conference provides an important platform to connect with exhibitors, listen to their needs, and demonstrate solutions designed specifically for their screens.”

Beyond the projector deployment itself, Christie will also play an active role within the conference programme. Don Shaw, executive director of Cinema Sales, Americas, Christie, is scheduled to present a dedicated session on May 13 focused on the company’s RGBH projection technology, including its technical capabilities and its positioning as a flexible illumination platform for exhibitors and post-production environments. Shaw will additionally participate in a panel discussion titled “Digital Mark II. What’s different this time: Digital Projection Replacement and Infrastructure,” moderated by Lewis Thorne, former ICA Board Member and Circuit Operations Manager at Sun Theatre.

At the heart of the new projector platform is Christie’s latest 0.98-inch 4K SST DMD technology combined with CineLife+ electronics and Phazer illumination. The RGBH projectors are designed to deliver bright, high-contrast visuals on screens up to 19 metres wide, while maintaining a compact form factor and cost-efficient upgrade pathway for exhibitors transitioning from lamp-based systems to laser projection. Available in brightness configurations up to 20,000 lumens, the projectors also maintain compatibility with existing legacy lenses and accessories from lamp-based Christie systems, helping reduce upgrade complexity and infrastructure costs for cinema operators.

As part of its sponsorship initiative, Christie will also provide two full conference passes to ICA members from Wangaratta Cinema Centre, a four-screen cinema complex located in northeastern Victoria, further supporting engagement within Australia’s independent exhibition community.