The 6th Edition of META Cinema Forum, the largest and most influential convention in emerging markets, kicked off on November 7th, 2023, at the prestigious Grand Hyatt in Dubai. The cinema market is projected to grow substantially, with an estimated increase of USD 660.48 million by 2027; this year’s META Cinema Forum holds significant promise for the industry.
Evolving Beyond Boundaries
META Cinema Forum has evolved remarkably, expanding its scope to encompass more regions, projects, and partnerships. It has become the ultimate platform for exchanging ideas, strategies, and innovations shaping the cinema sector across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the CIS region. Notably, this year’s edition places a special focus on Women in Cinema.
Women in Cinema: ‘Beyond the Glitz’
One of the forum’s highlights is a round table discussion on the business side of the film industry titled ‘Beyond the Glitz.’ Distinguished panelists include Nancy Paton, Founder of Desert Rose Films and President of WIFTGCC. Charlotte Louise Sutcliffe, Entertainment Lawyer and Associate at CWB, Head of Events at WIFTGCC; Ozge Conduroglu, Acquisition and distribution Lead at The Plot Pictures MENA; and Ashleigh Potts, Marketing Director at Studio Distribution, Majid Al Futtaim LLC.
A Comprehensive Program
The META Cinema Forum offers an extensive program that caters to the diverse needs of industry professionals. It encompasses a convention and tradeshow, conference sessions, product presentations, special screenings, premieres, workshops, masterclasses, a Black-tie awards ceremony, networking reception, meeting areas, and content and cinema construction breakout sessions.
The Power of Collaboration
Leila Masinaei, Managing Partner at Great Mind Events Management, emphasized, “The success of the 6th META Cinema Forum reflects our unwavering commitment to advancing the cinematic landscape in emerging markets. This year’s event reinforces our belief in the power of collaboration, innovation, and shared experiences within the industry.”
Where Ideas Come to Life
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.”
Cinionic: Setting the Standard
Serge Plasch, Chief Commercial Officer at Cinionic, expressed his excitement about the event, saying, “It is great to be back at the META Cinema Forum and connecting with the industry. As the leading cinema partner, Cinionic offers exhibitors ways to laser that are set to WOW moviegoers over time, and we are excited to share this with the visitors attending the forum.”
Theme: Growing the Region’s Cinema Share
The overarching theme for the 2023 edition is “Growing the region’s cinema share,” which underscores the commitment to fostering growth and innovation in the industry. The discussions, presentations, and workshops revolve around the industry’s challenges, solutions, and the current market situation.
Key Topics Covered
- Regional Content Production and International Collaboration
- Cinemas of the Future
- Emerging Cinema Trends and Technologies
- Rewarding Patrons and Effective Pricing Strategies
Day Two: Elevating the Experience
On the second day of the forum, attendees can look forward to a panel discussion on successful movie marketing for the region and another panel discussion titled ‘Elevating the Experiential Elements of Cinemas.’ Leaders in cinema design, technology, and hospitality will share strategies for enhancing the cinema-going experience.
META Cinema Awards: Celebrating Excellence
The META Cinema Awards and Gala Reception serve as a night of celebration, recognizing outstanding achievements in the cinema industry. Nathan Gilligan, Senior Operations Manager at Comscore, and Nena Loncar, Client Insights Manager at Comscore, will present the awards.
Prestigious Accolades
- Best Cinemas 10 screens & above – VOX Mall of the Emirates
- Best cinema 10 screens & below – AMC Stars Avenue
- Highest grossing distributor of the year – Majid Al Futtaim Distribution
- Best Film – English – Universal Pictures International for Oppenheimer
- Best Film – Indian – Yash Raj Films for Jawan
- Best Film – Arabic – Majid Al Futtaim Distribution for Go Media (Licensor) and Vox (Distributor)
- Best Film – African – Film One for Orisa
- Outstanding Contribution to Emerging Markets – Sattar for Frontrow
Two Days of Immersion
Organized by GM Events, the META Cinema Forum guarantees a two-day immersion in priceless knowledge, networking prospects, and a sneak peek into the future of cinema.
Conclusion
The 6th Edition of the META Cinema Forum promises to be a game-changer for the cinema industry in emerging markets. With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and the celebration of excellence, this event paves the way for the continued growth and development of cinema across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the CIS region. Stay tuned for more insights and highlights from this groundbreaking forum.
