Ioan Allen, a creator of the Dolby Stereo film program, receives medal at Cannes

Dolby, a leader in immersive entertainment experiences, announced that at the 77th edition of the prestigious Festival de Cannes, Ioan Allen, Senior Vice President at Dolby, was awarded a Festival de Cannes Medal by Thierry Frémaux, General Delegate of the Festival de Cannes and Managing Director of the Institut Lumière. The recognition illustrates Dolby’s commitment to cinema and its association with the Festival de Cannes, one of the world’s most prestigious and influential events. 

In addition, Dolby announced the famous Louis Lumière room in the Palais des Festivals – which hosts the official Festival de Cannes preview screenings – will be transformed to incorporate Dolby Atmos immersive sound for 2025, for the 78th edition of the Festival. This represents a major investment, born entirely by SEMEC, the operating company of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes.    

During this year’s Festival de Cannes, Allen received the aforementioned award on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at noon, during a private ceremony at the Salon des Ambassadeurs in the Palais des Festivals. During the ceremony, Allen, who joined Dolby in 1969 and worked closely with founder Ray Dolby, accepted the medal in recognition of Dolby’s technical investment and film industry expertise over 50 years.  

Allen is best known for developing the Dolby Stereo film program. He has received five scientific and technical awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, including an Oscar.   

The Festival’s recognition of Allen this year also follows an award and honorary medal the Festival bestowed to Ray Dolby two decades ago, which remains on display at Dolby’s Soho Square office in London. 

After the ceremony, Thierry Frémaux welcomed ten eminent members of Dolby Laboratories for lunch, including: 

• Anais Libolt, Director Broadcast and Content, Europe
• Arkin Kol, Senior Director Commercial Partnerships and Sales, Europe 
• Fritz Deininger, Senior Director of Cinema Sales (EMEA, India, Central Europe)
• Nick Watson, Director, Content Relations, Europe 

Thierry Frémaux said: “We are delighted to have Dolby as one of our technical partners for half a century.  For us, it’s a real guarantee of know-how and excellence.” 

Ioan Allen added: “Receiving this distinction is a great honor and renews our commitment to the Festival de Cannes and the world of cinema in general.” 

Dolby has renewed its technical partnership with the Festival de Cannes for the next three years.