MENA Cinema Forum – the first-ever business conference of its kind in the region, organised by GM Events was held in Dubai on 28th – 29th October 2018.
The 2-day conference covered a range of industry specific topics – with focus on the growth in the cinema industry in the Middle East, and was attended by more than 45 speakers, 450 delegates and 90 sponsors.
Cinema is the fastest growth market in the MENA region witnessing tremendous progress as a result of rapid population growth, urbanization, focus on development across leisure sectors, and the emergence of Saudi Arabia as a new market. Additionally, cinemagoers in the region demand the best movie experiences, stimulating upgrades and innovation across existing and upcoming facilities.
The MENA Cinema Forum brought together a spectrum of stakeholders within the cinema sector, including but not limited to local and international governments, investment companies, mall owners, cinema operators and exhibitors, suppliers and industry leaders.
The forum addressed areas required for successful establishment and operations of cinemas to meet growing regional requirements:
*Another key topic for discussion was global recognition of Arab Cinema, and how strong strategies and supply chains can further improve its acceptance.
As part of the Speakers’ panel, Avinash Udeshi, Chief Operating Officer – Motivate Val Morgan together with Deena Al Mansoori, Founder and CEO – Aljoori for Cinema Production and Advertisement and Anil Pattani, Director – Awan Media was invited on Day 2 to discuss the development of models that guarantee profitability of movie theatres.
Day 1 focused on:
Day 2 focused on:
Key Information from MENA Cinema Forum 2018
Other event features included: technical presentations, product showcases, roundtable discussions, workshop and break-out meetings, networking, awards ceremony, major announcements of upcoming movies in 20198 by 21st century and a special screening of First Man at Reel Cinemas – The Dubai Mall (Dolby Screen).
MENA Cinema Forum 2019
The next forum will be held in November 2019, with a focus on the exhibition industry & cinema infrastructure, and on MENA production.
For more information on the MENA Cinema Forum visit www.menacinema.com
Sources: Emirates 24|7, Forbes Middle East, Zawya, The Arab Weekly and MENA Cinema Forum
On June 8th 2018, VOX Cinemas – City Centre Mirdif launched 10 new screens – bringing its screen count to 20 screens and seating capacity to 2573 seats.
The cinema now includes 10 regular screens, 2 VOX MAX screens, 4 THEATRE by Rhodes screens, an IMAX Sapphire screen, a 4DX screen and 2 VOX Kids screens.
The expansion of VOX Cinemas – City Centre Mirdif is part of Majid Al Futtaim’s AED 335 million enhancement project at the mall which also includes:
Mohamed Al Jasmi, Senior Mall Manager of City Centre Mirdif – Majid Al Futtaim said, “We are pleased to release phase one of City Centre Mirdif’s AED335 million enhancement project which will add value to the mall’s existing world-class facilities. We are committed to delivering an unparalleled shopping experience as the needs and expectations of our customers evolve and look forward to introducing the new VOX Cinemas complex and mall prayer rooms next year.”
The redevelopment of existing assets such as City Centre Mirdif is a key element of Majid Al Futtaim’s overall UAE strategy announced in June 2016: to open 10 new City Centre destinations, 28 cinemas, 40 Carrefour supermarkets and a 740,000 sqm community, by the end of 2020.
Sources: City Centre Mirdif (Press Release) and VOX Cinemas
Saudi Arabia saw the opening of its second cinema – a four screen VOX Cinemas multiplex with a total seating capacity of 330. The cinema opened to the public on Friday 4th May 2018.
The new cinema – located at Riyadh Park Mall– comes two weeks after the kingdom’s first public cinema screening in Saudi Arabia.
“Tonight’s cinema opening represents another historic moment in the transformation of the Saudi economy under the Vision 2030 plan,” Saudi Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Awwad S. Alawwad was quoted as saying at the opening. “It is great to have the second cinema open in the kingdom within a span of less than two weeks.”
“This is just one example that shows the fast pace of development in the kingdom,” he added.
The opening of the new cinema is part of a broader effort by VOX Cinemas to expand in Saudi Arabia, where the company has said it will invest an additional $533.2 million to open 600 screens over the course of the next five years.
VOX’s parent company, Majid Al Futtaim, has already announced project investments valued at $3.73 billion across its mall asset, fashion, leisure and retail offerings, a commitment that is expected to create over 114,000 direct and indirect job opportunities.
Additionally, through a partnership with 20th Century Fox, the distribution arm of Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas will exclusively distribute Fox content to cinemas in the kingdom. In 2018 alone, the company is planning to release a number of hotly anticipated films including The Darkest Minds, The Predator and the James Cameron produced Alita: Battle Angel.
Other cinemas currently under design include Majid Al Futtaim’s Mall of Saudi and City Centre Ishbiliyah – both expected to open in Riyadh in the coming years.
As the exclusive cinema advertising partner of VOX Cinemas, Motivate Val Morgan congratulates VOX Cinemas on the launch of their new multiplex in Saudi Arabia and proudly welcomes VOX Cinemas – Riyadh Park Mall to our circuit.
Contact your respective Account Manager for a detailed presentation on on-screen cinema advertising opportunities at VOX Cinemas – Riyadh Park Mall.
For more information on locations and movie timings, visit https://ksa.voxcinemas.com/
Sources: Arabian Business and Gulf News
VOX Cinemas, a unit of leading retail and leisure pioneer Majid Al Futtaim, opened its second location in Egypt at City Centre Alexandria on 1 February 2018 – less than a year after launching its first cinema in the country at Mall of Egypt.
This expansion comes as part of Majid Al Futtaim’s previously announced plans to investment to EGP 23 billion in Egypt by 2020, creating 144,000 additional direct and indirect jobs.
VOX Cinemas at City Centre Alexandria features seven cinema screens (6 regular screens and a VOX MAX screen) with a seating capacity of over 1600.
VOX Cinemas offers movie enthusiasts an unmatched cinematic experience, which has made it the preferred destination for all movie premieres in the region. This includes unprecedented sound quality equipped with the latest technology, and regular and VIP seats for a more comfortable viewing experience. Additionally, the cinema complex offers an unprecedented selection of deliciously prepared food and beverage to moviegoers, for a one-of-a-kind experience. The cinema facility also offers all the amenities for people with special needs.
In just a few months since its opening at Mall of Egypt in March 2017, VOX Cinemas became among the top three leading cinemas in Egypt, and a favored destination for movie premieres.
Omar El Banna, Country Head for Majid Al Futtaim – Ventures Egypt, stated, “In addition to our exceptional cinematic concepts; which are unsurpassed across the Middle East, VOX Cinemas always strives to offer an innovative and enjoyable cinematic experience, by paying close attention to details, such as the design and setting of each theater to suit the environment.”
VOX Cinemas at City Centre Alexandria is part of a range of diverse and innovative attractions and destinations, Majid Al Futtaim currently operates and aims to introduce in the Egyptian market. These include shopping malls, Carrefour stores, fashion stores, international restaurants, and unique family entertainment experiences such as Ski Egypt, Little Explorers, Magic Planet, that are in line with the company’s vision to create great moments by redefining the concept of shopping and entertainment for Egyptian citizens
VOX Cinemas operates 31 cinema complexes across the Middle East and North Africa, including the 14 sites in the UAE, 1 site in Bahrain, 11 sites in Oman, 1 site in Lebanon, 1 site in Qatar, 2 sites in Egypt and 1 site opening soon in Kuwait. Majid Al Futtaim has announced further investment plans to expand the footprint of VOX Cinemas across the region from 300 screens to 600 screens by 2020.
Motivate Val Morgan is the official cinema advertising partner of VOX Cinemas – except for the cinema at City Centre Bahrain.
Contact us for cinema advertising opportunities at VOX locations across the region.
Sources: Arab Finance and Scoop Empire
