8 CinÉireann / June 2018
STORYBOARD
Vue International, part of Vue Entertainment , has acquired Irish cinema operator Showtime Cinemas to add their two sites in Limerick and Ashbourne, Co. Meath to its existing site in Liffey Valley in Dublin.
Showtime Cinemas first established their 6 screen cinema in Ashbourne in 2009, and remodelled it in 2013. In 2011 they established their 7 screen Limerick cinema. This move by Vue brings their UK and Irish portfolio to 89 sites and 854 screens.
Vue International have also acquired Cinema3D in Poland, adding 14 cinemas there, bringing their total portfolio to 214 sites and 1,917 screens. Vue operates in ten countries – Ireland, Poland, the UK, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania and Taiwan.
We are delighted to have been able to secure the Showtime Cinema sites and with it the opportunity to bring our premium big screen experience to more customers in Ireland. We look forward to welcoming the team to Vue and ensuring that the cinemas continue to be a major part of the out-of-home leisure choices in Ireland.
Kevin Styles, Managing Director – Vue UK and Ireland
Showtime Cinemas have built up a loyal and knowledgeable following among the cinema-going public in Ashbourne and Limerick. I am happy that our customers and staff will have access to Vue Entertainment’s expertise, customer experience and wide range of viewing choices.
Patrick O’Sullivan, Founder – Showtime Cinemas
Both Irish cinemas are currently closed for rebranding and will officially re-open on July 6th.
Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board announces the appointment of Gareth Lee to the role of Manager of Screen Training Ireland. Gareth will be responsible for the roll out of a new plan of action for the development of skills across the whole screen sector being Film, TV Drama, Animation, Television production, VFX, Games and VR / AR. Gareth will also work with the skills sub-committee of the Irish Film Board with regard to the roll out of the recent Crowe Horwath report on the Audiovisual Sector.
Prior to joining Screen Training Ireland, Gareth worked at Ballyfermot College of Further Education where he ran the Animation degree programme and most recently established the inaugural diploma programme in 3D & Visual Effects — the first programme of its kind in Ireland. Gareth also brings a vast wealth of experience in training from his role in Animation Skillnet where he established the network which has delivered industry-focused training solutions for the Animation and related sectors in Ireland.
Gareth has a proven track record of working with key stakeholders to deliver successful work-based training initiatives for the sector that better align education/training to the needs of industry. He is a graduate of TCD, DCU and DIT with a BA in English, an MSc in Multimedia and an MA in Music Technology. He is a member of the Advisory Board for Animation Ireland, specialising in education/training.
In November 2017 Gareth was invited by the EU Commission to speak at the European Vocational Skills Week conference in Brussels on the topic of ‘Career Long Learning’.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Gareth Lee to the role of Manager of Screen Training Ireland. Never has the development of skills within our sector been more pertinent than now and we look forward to working with Gareth on the development of a new skills plan for the sector."
James Hickey, CEO – Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board
"I look forward to taking on the new role of Manager of Screen Training Ireland and working closely with the Irish Film Board, the experienced staff of Screen Training Ireland and key industry stakeholders to support skills development initiatives that will underpin the continued growth of the screen sectors in Ireland."
Gareth Lee