February 12, 2008
European archives release vintage films online
In April, a Europe-wide video-on-demand platform called European Film Treasures will bring together content from 37 film archives and cinematheques across the continent. And the good news for film buffs is that it's free. Reuters reports.
Each partner archive will propose films, and a jury of historic film specialists will decide which to include on the VoD site based on criteria such as historical interest and artistic quality. Footage will be accessible for streaming only, not download, but the site may in the future extend to associated DVD sales.
European Film Treasures is hoping to tap into a chunk of the huge audience for free on-line video sites like YouTube and Bebo.
Films will be available in their original language with translation where needed into English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
The site is expected to launch with about 100 titles, but the aim is to include as many as 500 films once fully loaded. Lobster is coming up with original music to accompany silent films.
The only major national archive that decided not to be represented was from Belgium. "
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