The forum brought together filmmakers, media professionals, industry experts, and solution providers from both local and international backgrounds.
The sixth edition of the META Cinema Forum commenced today, November 7, at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai. With the cinema market’s projected growth of $660.48m by 2027, this year’s META Cinema Forum aspires to be a pivotal event for the industry.
Over the years, the META Cinema Forum has evolved into a pivotal gathering for leaders in the cinema industry, expanding its scope to encompass more regions, projects, and partnerships. It stands as the foremost platform for the exchange of ideas, strategies, and innovations that are shaping the cinema sector in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the CIS region. This year’s edition places a special emphasis on Women in Cinema.
One of the highlighted sessions features female panellists in a roundtable discussion titled ‘Beyond the Glitz,’ focusing on the business aspects of the film industry. Distinguished panellists include Nancy Paton, Founder of Desert Rose Films and President of WIFTGCC, Charlotte Louise Sutcliffe, Entertainment Lawyer and Associate at CWB, and Head of Events at WIFTGCC, Ozge Conduroglu, Acquisition & Distribution Lead at The Plot Pictures MENA, and Ashleigh Potts, Marketing Director at Studio Distribution, Majid Al Futtaim LLC.
The Forum’s programme is extensive, including a convention and trade show, conference sessions, product presentations, special screenings, premieres, workshops, masterclasses, a Black-tie awards ceremony, networking receptions, meeting areas, and content and cinema construction breakout sessions.
Speaking about the event, Leila Masinaei, Managing Partner, Great Mind Events Management, said: “The success of the sixth META Cinema Forum reflects our unwavering commitment to advancing the cinematic landscape in emerging markets. This year’s event has reinforced our belief in the power of collaboration, innovation, and shared experiences within the industry. We are excited about the future possibilities and the role META Cinema Forum will continue to play in shaping the cinema sector in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the CIS region.”
Tony El Massih from Vox Cinemas commented: “The META Cinema Forum is a remarkable event that brings together industry visionaries and thought leaders to chart the future of cinema in emerging markets. It’s where ideas come to life, where trends are set, and where the future of cinema is defined. Today’s success is a testament to the Forum’s significance that it continues to evolve and grow, fostering innovation and collaboration across regions. We’re excited to be part of this transformative journey.”
Serge Plasch, Chief Commercial Officer, Cinionic, added: “It is great to be back at the META Cinema Forum and connecting with the industry. As the leading cinema partner Cinionic, founded in the heritage of Barco, offers exhibitors ways to laser that is set to WOW moviegoers time over time, and we are excited to share this with the visitors attending the forum.”
The theme for the 2023 edition is “Growing the region’s cinema share,” reflecting a commitment to foster growth and innovation in the industry. Discussions, presentations, and workshops will revolve around the industry’s challenges, solutions, and the current market situation. Topics covered include Regional Content Production and International Collaboration, Cinemas of the Future, and an in-depth examination of emerging cinema trends and technologies, along with key cinema statistics and case studies on rewarding patrons and effective pricing strategies.
On the second day, there will be a panel discussion on successful movie marketing for the region and another panel discussion on ‘Elevating the Experiential Elements of Cinemas.’ Experts in cinema design, technology, and hospitality will discuss strategies for enhancing the cinema-going experience.
The META Cinema Awards and Gala Reception will celebrate outstanding achievements in the cinema industry. The awards will be presented by Nathan Gilligan, Senior Operations Manager at Comscore, and Nena Loncar, Client Insights Manager at Comscore.
