A number of countries now report that their screens are 100% digital (e.g., Norway and the Netherlands), and in some major markets that percentage is up to near 80% (for example, the U.S., U.K., France and Japan). Nevertheless, in Latin America the numbers for the digital rollout are poor and the speed of the process is slow: Penetration is currently at 33% (23% if we don’t include the three countries with the highest rate of screen digitization —Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador). One year ago, the percentage in Latin America was 22% (20% excluding Mexico and Colombia). Many factors can help explain this situation: small markets (with no commercial venues attractive to the multinational companies, except in the Mexican and Brazilian markets); no significative presence in the region for virtual print fees, and the lack of development policies (except in Brazil).In effect, foreign exhibitors with operations in Latin America are privately negotiating VPFs for their own theatres … [Read more...] about Slow progress: Latin America’s digital rollout varies dramatically by country