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Inaugurated Today by Global Cinema Industry Experts
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Special Screening of The Addams Family at MENA Cinema Forum
Dubai is hosting MENA Cinema Forum the only cinema convention catering to the cinema industry in the region. Supported by Dubai Studio City & global giants of the cinema industry, the convention will celebrate, discuss, & explore everything new in the world of cinema from October 22 to 24, gathering over 60 speakers, and 800 experts in cinema production, distribution, construction, technology and content from more than 50 countries.
Focusing on presenting bigger opportunities, being much larger in scale and richer in content, MCF2019 commenced with the welcome remarks from Leila Masinaei, Managing Partner of Great Minds Events Management, the organizers, & Head of the Organizing Committee of MENA Cinema Forum, followed by the opening keynote from the forum’s Industrial Partner, Dubai Studio City’s Managing Director, Majed Al Suwaidi, followed by the forum’s Strategic Partner, Cameron Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas and Majid Al Futtaim Leisure & Entertainment.
At the welcome remarks, Leila Masinaei, Managing Partner of Great Minds Event Management said: “My team and I have been hard at work, taking on your input, to expand and grow the event, to be a worthy platform for our region’s rapidly expanding entertainment industry.
To achieve this goal, we have gathered some of the world’s most sought after executives to offer talks, built a massive trade show for you to scope the latest technologies and equipment, added several slates, screening and world premieres to the forum’s film content, and rounded it all up with after-parties for you to relax and network. And to celebrate our partners and our success, we will wrap the show up with a glamorous awards ceremony and reception”, Masinaei added.
Followed Masinaei’s welcome remarks, Jan Runge, MENA Cinema Advisor and Chairman shared his welcome remarks followed by Majed Al Suwaidi, Managing Director, Dubai Studio City welcome keynote.
At the opening keynote from Event Strategic Partner: Cameron Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas and Majid Al Futtaim Leisure & Entertainment, he said: “ — “. Then Phil Clapp, Chief Executive, The UK Cinema Association, President, International Union of Cinemas, Board Member of the Global Cinema Federation gave a speech about the state of industry.
Followed by insightful speech about cinema strategies and statistics updates by Rajkumar Akella, Managing Director, Comscore – India (Movies) where he reviewed the economic, cultural and societal value of cinema and a thriving film sector. Moreover, he also highlited the cinema industry statistics globally and regionally, discussed main policies across the region and how they may impact the expansion of the industry, and pointed out the main hurdles, obstacles and opportunities in the region.
The next mind treat from the forum’s organisers was a keynote panel discussion titled: MENA Cinema Upcoming Project Updates where John Iozzi, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, AMC Cinemas-KSA, Mohamed Al Hashemi, Country Manager KSA, Majid Al Futtaim Ventures, VOX Saudi Arabia, Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen, Chief Executive Officer, Novo Cinemas, and, Adon Quinn, General Manager, Muvi Cinemas shared the upcoming projects overview and updates.
Followed by Project updates from Ashish Shukla, Chief Executive Officer, Cinépolis Gulf, the fastest growing international exhibitor in the region, who successfully established operations in 4 countries in 1 year and unveiling a new special and exclusive project and partnership in the UAE.
The Trade Show inauguration took place at noon and during the trade show hours, attendees engaged in closed door business meetings, product presentations from industry experts, seminars about design and construction, movie themed photobooth and interactive zones.
MENA Cinema Forum #MCF2019 hosted technical seminars about design, construction and acoustics moderated by Paul Schwarz, Partner & Principal Design Confidence – Acoustics. Eranna Yekbote, Chief Architect, Era Architects shared a speech about architectural and technical considerations for designing state-of-the-art cinemas.
Nita Odedra, Blue Rhine Industries, Blu Rhine Industries gave a talk titled “Tahia Al Cinema” about futuristic immersive cinema experiences with digital technology in the MENA region. Then Ryan Arbabi, Technical Director, Farrat Isolevel Ltd, shared a speech about the next chapter in thev history of Cinema Sound Insulation. Next, Omar Abu Omar, Managing Partner, Capella Entertainment spoke about total cinema integration solutions from feasibility studies to cinema operation and management
Abdulaziz Almuzaini, Co-Founder – CEO, Myrkott Animation Studio and Malik Nejer, Art Director and Co-Founder, Myrkott Animation Studio presented: Myrkott Journey: From YouTube to a Full Feature.
The next dazzling activity of MENA Cinema Forum took place at VOX Cinemas at Mall of the Emirates, where the delegates watched a product presentation from Warner Bros. Pictures International, presented by Jacques Dubois, Senior Vice president, Warner Bros, and, Tonis Kiis, Senior Vice President, International Distribution, Warner Bros. Followed by another product presentation by Gulf Film.
Finally, movie fans enjoyed the special screening of The Addams Family, just before the first day of the amazing event ends with a star studded opening day after party by the pool at Conrad, Sheikh Zayed Road.
The forum has attracted the biggest cinema operators in the region to be its partners in success. VOX Cinemas is the forum’s strategic partner whilst Novo, AMC KSA, Cinepolis, Carnival, Reel, Muvi, Silverbird, Starzplay, WOW Cinemas, and Zawya are the forum’s Cinema Partners. The long list of Production and Distribution Partners of MENA Cinema Forum includes Warner Bros. Pictures, Sony Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Myrkott, Front Row Filmed Entertainment, Eos Exhibition on Screen, Seventh Art Productions, Empire, Green Screen, Shooting Stars, CMS, AFL, & Gulf Film.
Delegates will be invited to exclusive Slate presentations, from Warner Bros. Picture International Product Presentation, Front Row Filmed Entertainment Product Presentation, Myrkott Animation Studio Product Presentation, and Art Format Lab Product Presentation.
MENA Cinema Forum is offering its participants 2 world premieres, & 4 special movie screenings. Delegates will attend the exclusive Premiere of Terminator: Dark Fate in the Dolby Theatre at Reel Cinemas, the Dubai Mall and a special screening of Zombieland: Double Tap at VOX Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates, special Screening of The Addams Family, and World Premiere, Leonardo: The Works by Seventh Art Productions at VOX Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates and special screening of Son-Mother. The event is also giving away Prize Tickets to exclusive groups to be a part of the movie premieres. MENA Cinema this year is hosting a professional series of Master Classes and Workshops to help develop the film industry in the region through educational opportunities for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
ABOUT MENA CINEMA FORUM:
MENA Cinema Forum the largest gathering platform of cinema industry experts from across the globe in the MENA region is held for the second time presenting many new features across 3-days, from 22nd till the 24th of October 2019, in Dubai. The Forum includes a Conference, an Expo, an Awards Giving Ceremony, Workshops, Corporate Meetings, Film Slates, Screenings, Post Event Reception, and much more.
Organized by Great Minds Event Management, the second edition of the forum is offering bigger opportunities, being much larger in scale and richer in content, and designed to enhance the industry evolution through updates on regional projects and policies, technological and technical advancements and best practices in next generation of customer experience and engagement, through a mixture of various content and mediums.
MENA Cinema Forum is offering a unique platform, where industry decision makers meet international movie creators and technology pioneers to discuss the future of cinema industry, the hidden opportunities and the vast possibilities in a festive atmosphere where movie premieres, screenings, awards & themed poolside after parties are among many glamour packed activities of the 3 days busy agenda of wonders.
Representing a unique celebration of the veterans & gurus of cinema industry like never before, blending business and pleasure in one place, as no one can achieve such an equilibrium like the master minds behind such a distinctive event; Great Minds Events, organizers of this exceptional experience.
The second edition of MENA Cinema Forum will showcase the regional projects and policies, technological and technical advancements in cinemas and best practices in the next generation of customer experience and engagement, through a mixture of various content and mediums.
The inaugural edition that took place in October 2018 gathered over 600 experts from 45 countries from across the cinema industry supply chain. The 2019 edition will build on the inaugural edition gathering over 60 speakers and 800 experts, from 50 countries, requiring building the event on 2 levels at Conrad Dubai, to host the conference sessions in one and 100 exhibitors will showcase their products and technologies, in the other. The exhibition floor will host a series of Cinema industry talks as well, focused in the first day on Building Materials and Design, and on technology in the second day.
MENA Cinema Forum will host an Expo for the second time following the great success of last year’s round. Planning to organize the largest exhibitions of its kind in the region, and amongst one the largest cinema expos globally, as the exhibition floor will include over 100 stands showcasing the latest technologies, material and equipment in the cinema industry and entertainment space.
Moreover, introducing interesting and interactive attractions including but not limited to floor talks, product demos, themed entertainment, mini screenings, an Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality zones, rest and refreshment parlors.
