Digitizing Cinemas – Comprehensive Intended and Unintended Consequences for Diversity

Abstract

This article concerns digitization of film distribution and exhibition in the entire cinema sector in Norway, its comprehensive consequences for diversity - seen from the perspective of cultural policy. The results of analyzing complete cinema statistics for three years (2008, 2013 and 2017) indicate that the digitization process “from film reels to film files” contributes to strengthened diversity in terms of repertoire, distribution and new audiences. For policy makers, cinema operators and researchers, the study presents positive intended and unintended consequences of digitizing the cinema sector. These positive consequences offer cinema operators new opportunities when it comes to repertoire diversity.