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How an inflatable theatre screened Stree 2 at world’s highest-altitude cinema; took film festivals to remote India

The Mobile Digital Movie Theatre (MDMT), developed by Picturetime, has taken film festivals to the interiors of India in places like Dharamshala.

Published on: Nov 12, 2024 1:56 PM IST

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Nestled in the hills of Dharamshala, right at the onset of winters, the annual Dharamshala International Film Festival plays host to a number of films, filmmakers, and artistes in a rather unique film festival.

Published on Nov 12, 2024 1:56 PM

Nestled in the hills of Dharamshala, right at the onset of winters, the annual Dharamshala International Film Festival plays host to a number of films, filmmakers, and artistes in a rather unique film festival.

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One of the highlights of the film festival is an inflatable theatre called the Mobile Digital Movie Theatre (MDMT) developed by Picturetime, which allows this film festival to take place in these freezing altitudes.

Published on Nov 12, 2024 1:56 PM

One of the highlights of the film festival is an inflatable theatre called the Mobile Digital Movie Theatre (MDMT) developed by Picturetime, which allows this film festival to take place in these freezing altitudes.

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Speaking with HT, Sushil Chaudhary of Picturetime explains that this patented design allows for quick setup, making organising film festivals in such remote places possible. “The reason we chose this design because portability of a movie theatre is what we wanted. Using any other building material needed lots of other things, which were time consuming.”

Published on Nov 12, 2024 1:56 PM

Speaking with HT, Sushil Chaudhary of Picturetime explains that this patented design allows for quick setup, making organising film festivals in such remote places possible. “The reason we chose this design because portability of a movie theatre is what we wanted. Using any other building material needed lots of other things, which were time consuming.”

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Chaudhary says that the design took a  year and a half to create, and while it may look like a children's bouncy castle from the outside, 'it is no less than a multiplex inside'. He adds, "The acoustics can be achieved without putting up an acoustic wall."

Published on Nov 12, 2024 1:56 PM

Chaudhary says that the design took a year and a half to create, and while it may look like a children's bouncy castle from the outside, 'it is no less than a multiplex inside'. He adds, "The acoustics can be achieved without putting up an acoustic wall."

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With the MDMT, Picturetime has been able to take film festivals to smaller towns and interior regions of India, including Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh. "The idea to do this in places like Dharamshala, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh is to give access to entertainment for more of India," says Chaudhary.

Published on Nov 12, 2024 1:56 PM

With the MDMT, Picturetime has been able to take film festivals to smaller towns and interior regions of India, including Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh. "The idea to do this in places like Dharamshala, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh is to give access to entertainment for more of India," says Chaudhary.

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Organisers say that these film festivals in small towns are often more interactive, with greater equity. "No film star in Dharamshala goes around with security, so the film festival doesn't get lost in the glitter of the paparazzi," says one.

Published on Nov 12, 2024 1:56 PM

Organisers say that these film festivals in small towns are often more interactive, with greater equity. "No film star in Dharamshala goes around with security, so the film festival doesn't get lost in the glitter of the paparazzi," says one.

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But it does not come without its fair share of challenges. "The logistics, convincing the authorities is difficult," says Chaudhary, adding, "as is the weather." The sponsors are also wary of investing money in what are seen as niche events. But the organisers say the tide is turning now.

Published on Nov 12, 2024 1:56 PM

But it does not come without its fair share of challenges. "The logistics, convincing the authorities is difficult," says Chaudhary, adding, "as is the weather." The sponsors are also wary of investing money in what are seen as niche events. But the organisers say the tide is turning now.

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Picturetime recently used the inflatable theatre to set up the world’s highest altitude cinema in Ladakh at 11,562 ft, screening Jigra and Stree 2,  which had 28 shows during the first week.

Published on Nov 12, 2024 1:56 PM

Picturetime recently used the inflatable theatre to set up the world’s highest altitude cinema in Ladakh at 11,562 ft, screening Jigra and Stree 2, which had 28 shows during the first week.

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