YouTube is starting to embrace video content that lasts longer than the site's normal 10-minute running time. This comes in the form of The Screening Room, a service "that will host indie film, and offer tools to help producers build an audience and generate revenue. YouTube will add four new indie films every two weeks - including some that have appeared in film festivals and others that have never been seen before." (according to Silicon Alley Insider, which also has the complete press release).

It appears a major press release has been overlooked from February of 2008.

(June 19, 2008 – Hollywood, CA) Metropolis Pictures Entertainment, Inc. announces the first and only online global movie theatre, previously known as the Metropolis Global Theatre, has moved to Cinepix.com as the Cinepix Theatre.

The first and only international online movie theatre, Cinepix Theatre, was originally conceived by Francis Xavier, Chief Executive Officer, and Michael R. Kureth, Chief Operating Officer, of Metropolis Pictures Entertainment, Inc. in June of 2007 to offer independent filmmakers and major studios a new and free method of global exposure where they would be compensated for their films being seen around the world subtitled in the user’s language. The copyright for this creation was approved by the Library of Congress on November 7, 2007, and the patent for the invention was accepted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in January of 2008. The theatre launched on February 18, 2008 featuring three short films and four of the five feature films produced by Metropolis Pictures Entertainment, Inc.

Short and feature film submissions have been open to both independent filmmakers and major studios at both standard definition (864x486) and high definition (1920x1080 or 1080x720) using H.264 compression (Blu-ray Disc quality) for playback in full screen mode. This service is available for free to filmmakers for two weeks where they are compensated for 50% of every view. The site and film shown is dynamically subtitled in the user’s language offering access to a global audience with supported languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Russian, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. All films are given the highest level of protection using Adobe’s Flash Media Rights Management Server.

Starting in the theatre Monday, June 23, 2008, the prequel to the pilot episode of \"The Ear of the Beholder,\" will be shown starring legendary Oscar nominated and Golden Globe Award winning actress Sally Kirkland and directed by Francis Xavier. The twelve minute film showcases one of the year’s best performances in a short film by a lead actress and will follow up with a pilot for cable television based on her character, Marlena Smith, an old fading, nymphomaniac film star who must deal with the competitive life of younger actresses, must pay for sex, and keep it a secret from family and friends.

Next week, June 30, 2008, “The Ear of the Beholder” will be available in the Cinepix Theatre in thirteen languages giving audiences around the world the only true global theatre experience.

Articles and Interviews from the February launch:
http://www.atomicpopcorn.net/2008/02/18/first-run-movies-in-your-home/
http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200802/1203702461.html
http://www.metpix.com/media/audio/2008-02-18-98_rock-original.mp3

Press Contact:
Metropolis Pictures Entertainment, Inc., P.O. Box 623, Hollywood, CA 91603
metpix.com | cinepix.com – info@cinepix.com