WHO ARE WE
Now in its 5th edition, META Cinema Forum is the largest cinema convention, covering the Middle East, Central Asia, and African markets. The event has grown over the years to include more regions, more projects, more partners and has become the single most important regional gathering for the cinema sector. The 5th edition is back bigger and better than ever, with more sessions covering various markets in detail, an expanded convention floor, award categories, and of course a stronger line-up of slates, product presentations, and the film features part of the film festival and film market, making the event the most holistic cinema event in the world. The convention will also host several post-event receptions and parties that will allow for fun-filled casual networking for all stakeholders.
CONFERENCE CHAIRMAN

Jan Runge
META Cinema Forum
Chairman & Advisor
Speakers

Leila Masinaei
Managing Partner,
Great Mind Events Management


Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante
Chief Executive Officer,
National Film Authority of Ghana


Mohamed Al Hashemi
Country Head,
Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment, Cinemas and Lifestyle, KSA

Andrew Such
Chief Executive Officer, AMC Cinemas

Alejandro Aguilera Garibay
Chief Executive Officer, Cinepolis Gulf

Cenk Sezgin
Chief Executive Officer, Cinemarine Cinemas, Chairman, CineBodrum Summit and Bodrum Turkish Film Week

Sari Khumaiyes
Commercial Director, AMC Cinemas


Aadil Mandviwalla
Director,
Mandviwalla Entertainment Pvt Ltd

Zaur Darabzadeh
Chairman Of The Board,
CinemaPlus

Murray Rea
Director,
Roxy Cinemas

Nigel Wright
Co-Founder
CEO - Grand Delusions Media

Chioma Ude
Managing Partner,
LaVida Studios

Paul Schwarz
Partner & Principal,
Design Confidence – Acoustics

Francis Y. Brown,
Founder and Creative Director, AnimaxFYB Studios


Moses Babatope
Co-founder, Group Executive Director/Managing Director FilmOne, The Filmhouse Group - Filmhouse Cinemas
FilmOne Entertainment

Dr. Sabir Haque
Assistant Professor, School of Arts and Science,
American University of Ras Al Khaimah

Funmi Onuma
Country Manager, Silverbird Cinemas


Serge Plasch
Chief Commercial Officer,
Cinionic

Mike Thomson
Director,
The Big Picture
CONFERENCE AGENDA
Time | Sessions/Activity | Location |
---|---|---|
08:00 | Registration Opens Morning Refreshments Tradeshow Doors Open |
Atlantis Ballroom Foyer Atlantis Ballrooms 1-2 |
09:15 | Opening Ceremony Welcome Note Leila Masinaei, Managing Partner, Great Mind Events Management |
Atlantis Ballrooms 3-5 |
09:20 | Welcome Note Jan Runge, MENA Cinema Chairman and Advisor |
Atlantis Ballrooms 3-5 |
09:30 | Keynote Speech Ignace Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim - Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas |
Atlantis Ballrooms 3-5 |
09:45 | Presentation: Key Cinema Statistics from META Markets and Beyond
|
Atlantis Ballrooms 3-5 |
10:00 | Spotlight session: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – What Next? Mike Thomson, Director, The Big Picture |
Atlantis Ballrooms 3-5 |
10:15 | Middle East Region Briefing: An overview of recent and upcoming projects, market shifts, untapped potentials, and outlook in the Middle East
|
Atlantis Ballrooms 3-5 |
11:15 | Presentation from Platinum Sponsor *Session Reserved for Event Platinum Sponsor |
Atlantis Ballrooms 3-5 |
11:30 | Official Opening of Tradeshow Networking Break and Refreshments Dedicated Tradeshow Hour |
Atlantis Ballrooms 1-2 |
12:30 | Industry Insight Session: The recent success stories
|
Atlantis Ballrooms 3-5 |
13:30 | African Region Briefing: An overview of recent and upcoming projects, market shifts, untapped potentials, and outlook in Africa
|
Atlantis Ballrooms 3-5 |
14:30 | Day 1 Summary by Conference Chairman | Atlantis Ballrooms 3-5 |
14:40 | Networking Lunch in the Tradeshow Hall | Atlantis Ballrooms 1-2 |
15:30 | Dedicated Tradeshow Hour | Atlantis Ballrooms 3-5 |
16:45 | Bus Departure to Cinema | Atlantis Ballroom Parking |
17:00 | Studio Product Presentation 1 | VOX Cinemas, Nakheel Mall |
17:45 | Studio Product Presentation 2 | VOX Cinemas, Nakheel Mall |
18:30 | Studio Product Presentation 3 | VOX Cinemas, Nakheel Mall |
19:30 | Bus Departure to Hotel | Nakheel Mall Parking |
20:00 | Day 1 Afterparty | Atlantis Poolside |
Time | Sessions/Activity | Location |
---|---|---|
08:00 | Registration Opens Morning Refreshments Tradeshow Doors Open |
Atlantis Ballroom Foyer Atlantis Ballrooms 1-2 |
09:25 | Welcome Note Jan Runge, MENA Cinema Chairman and Advisor |
Atlantis Ballrooms 3-5 |
09:30 | Turkey spotlight: Overview, updates, market shifts and forecast
|
Atlantis Ballrooms 3-5 |
10:10 | CIS Region Briefing: An overview of recent and upcoming projects, market shifts, untapped potentials, and outlook in Turkey, Levant and CIS Region
|
Atlantis Ballrooms 3-5 |
11:00 | Presentation from Gold Sponsor *Session Reserved for Event Gold Sponsor |
Atlantis Ballrooms 3-5 |
11:10 | Cinema is back! What is next to continue to build the draw for the audience to come back? This session will include 5, 10-minute presentations from the latest solution providers in the cinema sector and a joint Q&A session to answer audience questions.
|
Atlantis Ballrooms 3-5 |
12:10 | Networking Break and Refreshments Dedicated Tradeshow Hour |
Atlantis Ballrooms 1-2 |
13:10 | Panel Discussion: The pandemic drove content diversification and local content production strategies in the region to high gear. How can this be nurtured to maturity? What is the perfect mix of content for regional exhibitors? Panelists:
|
Atlantis Ballrooms 3-5 |
14:10 | Asian Region Briefing: An overview of recent and upcoming projects, market shifts, untapped potentials, and outlook in Asia
|
Atlantis Ballrooms 3-5 |
14:50 | Conference wrap up by Chairman Jan Runge, MENA Cinema Chairman and Advisor |
Atlantis Ballrooms 3-5 |
14:55 | Networking Lunch in the Tradeshow Hall | Atlantis Ballrooms 1-2 |
15:30 | Dedicated Tradeshow Hour | Atlantis Ballrooms 3-5 |
16:30 | Bus Departure to Cinema | Atlantis Ballroom Parking |
17:00 | Product Presentation by FilmOne |
VOX Cinemas, Nakheel Mall |
17:30 | Studio Product Presentation 5 | VOX Cinemas, Nakheel Mall |
18:00 | Studio Product Presentation 6 | VOX Cinemas, Nakheel Mall |
18:30 | Bus Departure to Hotel | Nakheel Mall Parking |
19:00 | META Cinema Awards Ceremony | Atlantis Ballrooms 1-2 |
20:00 | META Cinema Forum Closing Party | Atlantis Ballroom Terrace |
Time | Wednesday, 26 October 2021 | Location |
---|---|---|
12:00 | What is next after the fine cut? Effective ways of promoting and marketing your independent film Long after the production wraps and copies of your film are about to get disseminated worldwide, a process that the director might not be interested in begins film promotion and marketing. As a filmmaker, you need to see the project through to completion. In this workshop, Dr Sabir Haque walks you through the process of promoting and marketing your short film. The workshop will cover the following:
|
Silk Ballroom B |
13:15 | Workshop 2 TBC |
Silk Ballroom B |
14:30 | Break | Atlantis Ballrooms 1-2 |
15:30 | Workshop 3 TBC |
Silk Ballroom B |
FILM FESTIVAL AGENDA
Day | Activity Set 1 | Activity Set 2 | Activity Set 3 |
---|---|---|---|
Day 1: 27 October | Film Festival Selection Screenings in Multiple Theatres (10-15) VOX Cinemas, Nakheel Mall |
Big Blockbuster Screening with Red Carpet, Stars and Cast
VOX Cinemas, Nakheel Mall |
VVIP Afterparty Location TBC |
Day 2: 28 October | Film Festival Selection Screenings in Multiple Theatres (10-15)
VOX Cinemas, Nakheel Mall |
Big Blockbuster Screening with Red Carpet, Stars and Cast VOX Cinemas, Nakheel Mall |
VVIP Afterparty Location TBC |
Day 3: 29 October | Film Festival Selection Screenings in Multiple Theatres (10-15) VOX Cinemas, Nakheel Mall |
Big Blockbuster Screening with Red Carpet, Stars and Cast VOX Cinemas, Nakheel Mall |
Closing Ceremony and Awards Show Location TBC |
PHOTO GALLERY
SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Associate Partner
Strategic Cinema Screens Partner
Strategic Acoustics Partner
Official Digital Signage Partner
Official Cinema Sound Partner
Official Data Partner
Associate Sponsor
Associate Sponsor
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Supporting Partner
Bronze Sponsor
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
We have a diverse range of sponsorship opportunities available, a member of the sponsorship team will work with you to create a bespoke package to suit your businesses objectives, please contact partnerships@gmevents.ae
INTELLIGENCE, KNOWLEDGE & MEDIA PARTNERS
For media partnership inquires, please contact arni@gmevents.ae
VENUE
Atlantis The Palm
Atlantis Dubai, Crescent Road,
The Palm, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
+971 4 426 2000
dxb-info@atlantisdubai.com
