THE ONLY DEDICATED CINEMA
CONVENTION IN THE META REGION

7 - 8 November 2023

Grand Hyatt, Dubai / VOX Cineplex Grand Hyatt

WHO ARE WE

Now in its 6th edition, the META Cinema Forum is the largest cinema convention, covering the emerging 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 6th edition will bring in a diverse set of cinema stakeholders from across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and CIS region with studios and solution providers from across the globe. The convention will also host several post-event receptions and parties that will allow for fun-filled casual networking for all stakeholders.

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Edition

Strategic Cinema Partner

EVENT FEATURES

Convention/
Tradeshow
Floor

Conference

Product
Presentations
Slates

Special
Screenings
Premieres

Workshops/
Masterclasses

Black
Tie
Awards

Receptions
Networking
Activities

Dedicated
Meeting
Area

Content
Breakout
Session

Cinema
Construction
Breakout Session

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Hear What The Experts Have to Say

CINEMA & INDUSTRY Partners

STUDIO AND DISTRIBUTION Partners

Conference Chairs

Paul Schwarz

Owner & Technical Director of Dubai Acoustic Research Laboratory & Chairman of the Middle East Acoustic Society,
UAE

Expert Panel

AB Moosa

Chief Executive Officer,
Avalon Group (PTY) LTD

Abhishek Jain

Co-founder Oho Gujarati,
Founder CineMan Productions Limited India

Adon Quinn

CEO,
Muvi Cinemas

Alaa Karkouti

Film Analyst,
CEO and Co-founder of MAD Solutions and Co-Founder of the Arab Cinema (ACC)

Alejandro Aguilera Garibay

Chief Executive Officer,
Cinepolis Gulf 

Areej Zarrouq

Film Director, Producer,
and Curator

Bassam A. Hajjawi

President/CEO Near East Productions and Board Member Royal Film Commission Jordan 

Cenk Sezgin

Chairman
Cinemarine

Charlotte Jones

Senior Principal Analyst: Cinema & Movies at OMDIA,
part of Informa Tech

Darine El Khatib

Vice President, Film Productions,
Majid Al Futtaim

David Wallace

Director,
Chapman Taylor 

Dr. Sabir Haque

Assistant Professor
Mass Communication- School of Arts and Sciences, American University of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

Fagr Kassim Ali

Advisor – Media Sector Development Department, Sharjah Media City (SHAMS),
UAE

Friedrich (Fritz) Deininger

Sr. Director Cinema and Partner Management,
EMEAI, Dolby Laboratories

Funmi Onuma

Country Manager,
Silverbird Cinemas

Gianluca Chakra

Managing Partner and Producer,
Front Row Film Entertainment

Hans Fraikin

Independent Global Film and Television Specialist,
UAE 

Joy Odiete

Chief Executive Officer,
Blue Pictures Entertainment

Kunal Duggal

Digital Lead (Bharti Airtel Limited)
EssenceMediacom,
India

Laura Houlgatte

CEO,
International Union of Cinemas (UNIC)

Leila Masinaei

Managing Partner,
Great Mind Events Management

Mary Ephraim Egbas

President,
Homelands Films Ltd.

Moses Babatope

Co-founder,
Group Deputy Managing Director /Managing Director FilmOne, The Filmhouse Group - Filmhouse Cinemas - FilmOne Entertainment

Murray Rea

Director,
Roxy Cinemas 

Naaser Aldeen Sawaf

Managing Director,
Sand Dunes Management Consultancy,
UAE

Neil Wirasinha

CRO,
Gruvi

Paul Schwarz

Owner & Technical Director of Dubai Acoustic Research Laboratory & Chairman of the Middle East Acoustic Society,
UAE

Pooyan Sedghi

Film Producer &
VOD platform owner

Sambhram Pattanayak

Lecturer,
Film & Television Production, Amity University- Dubai 

Sari Khumaiyes

Commercial Director,
AMC Cinemas,
KSA 

Serge Plasch

Chief Commercial Officer,
Cinionic

Serge Zabbal

Business Director,
MENA,
Empire Entertainment

Sohail Dahdal

Head – Department of Media Communication, American University of Sharjah,
UAE

Stefano Fallaha

CEO,
Podeo

Tanya Easterman

Founder,
Daiku UK 

Toni El Massih

Managing Director Cinemas
VOX Cinemas

Toni El Massih

Managing Director Cinemas
VOX Cinemas

AGENDA

2023 Theme: Growing the region’s cinema share

  • Tuesday- 7 November 2023
  • Wednesday- 8 November 2023

Time

Session

Location

08:00

Registration opens  
Breakfast: Light bites, beverages refreshments  

Convention Center Lobby, Grand Hyatt 

Day 1 Focus: Industry Updates and Growth Strategies 
09:00

META Cinema opening ceremony and welcome remarks

Baniyas Ballroom 3

09:05

Welcome remarks

Baniyas Ballroom 3

09:10

Presentation: Tackling the exhibition challenges in the region 

Speaker:

Baniyas Ballroom 3

09:30

Presentation: How local content can beat Major studio titles, especially in markets such as KSA, and the formula to creating a local produced box office hit   

Speaker:

Baniyas Ballroom 3

09:50

Panel discussion: The regional strategy for increased local content production and international content produced locally.

Moderator:

Panellists:

Baniyas Ballroom 3

10:50  

Trade Show Opens 
Dedicated Trade Show Hour 
Networking Brea k
Mid-morning Snack: Finger foods and refreshments  

Baniyas Ballroom
1 & 2 

11:50 

Studio product presentation 1

VOX Cinemas Grand Hyatt

12:50

Quick Fire Chat: All eyes on KSA

Panelists:

Baniyas Ballroom 3

13:20

Regional Briefing: META cinema upcoming project and strategy updates

Speaker:

Speaker:

Speaker:

Speaker:

Speaker:

Moderator:

Baniyas Ballroom 3

14:20

Networking lunch break

Show Kitchen  Grand Hyatt

15:20

Panel discussion: Requirements for cinema industry to infiltrate the last untapped frontier: What is actually needed for Africa’s theatrical demands to be met 

Moderator:

Panelists:

Baniyas Ballroom 3

16:00 

Technology briefing: Cinemas of the future: A look at emerging cinema trends and technologies 

Moderator:

Speakers:

Baniyas Ballroom 3

16:55

Chairman summary and end of conference day 1 

Baniyas Ballroom 3

17:00

Studio product presentation 2 by:

VOX Cinemas Grand Hyatt

18:00

Studio product presentation 3

VOX Cinemas Grand Hyatt

19:00

META Cinema Awards and Gala Reception  

The awards reception will include an exciting and entertaining evening and will include:

Grand Hyatt Baniyas Ballroom 3  And Show Kitchen

21:00

End of conference day 1

Time

Session

Location

09:00

Registration opens
Morning refreshments

Convention Center Lobby, Grand Hyatt

09:25

Welcome remarks

Baniyas Ballroom 3

Day 2 Focus: How to Increase Theatrical Performance
09:30

Presentation:Enhancing methods and Case Studies on Competitiveness and Performance in Cinema Theater Operations in Turkey

In the dynamic landscape of the cinema industry, cinema theater operators continually strive to enhance their competitiveness and performance. To remain successful and attract audiences, it’s essential for cinema chains to implement effective strategies that address customer expectations, technological advancements, and industry trends.

Speaker:

Baniyas Ballroom 3

09:50

Presentation: MENA Cinema in the global theatrical landscape; key trends and opportunities in 2023 and beyond

Speaker:

Baniyas Ballroom 3

10:05

Case study presentation: Rewarding every cinema patron and increasing moviegoer numbers 

Sharing the methods and outcomes of working with global discount rewards voucher company to develop a bespoke program for cinema to entice more audiences back to cinemas post Covid. The program was launched in May in South Africa to a huge success with 75% take up. This tailored made presentation will analyse the offering to cinemas in UAE and KSA, with a live demo of how quickly and smoothly it works as well as the potential positive spin-offs for cinema including through this process building an enhanced customer database.

Speaker:

Baniyas Ballroom 3

10:25

Case Study presentation: Learning from proven pricing and promotional strategies to increase audience numbers through effective pricing and promotional strategies

Sharing the methods and outcomes from ODEON Cinemas Group in respect to commercial pricing, promotional strategies and implementing loyalty and subscription programmes across EMEA 

Speaker:

Baniyas Ballroom 3

10:55

Technology Briefing: Overview of latest successful loyalty and reward programs

Baniyas Ballroom 3

11:20

Dedicated Trade Show Hour 
Networking Break 
Mid-morning Snack: Finger foods and refreshments  

Baniyas Ballroom 3

12:20

Panel Discussion: Successful movie marketing for the region

Moderator:

Panelists:

Baniyas Ballroom 3

13:00

Networking lunch break 

Show Kitchen

14:00

Studio product presentation 4 

VOX Cinemas Grand Hyatt

15:00

Panel discussion: Premiumization: What is new in elevating the experiential elements of cinemas? 

Moderator:

Panelists:

Baniyas Ballroom 3

16:00

Conference wrap-up 

Baniyas Ballroom 3

17:30

Movie screening

TBC

19:30

Closing Party 

TBC

21:30

End of event

Tuesday, 24 October 2023Wednesday, 25 October 2023
Key Cinema Statistics from META and
Emerging Markets
Content Breakout Session
Spotlight SessionsCinema Construction Breakout Session
Middle East Region BriefingDedicated Tradeshow Session
Dedicated Tradeshow SessionIndustry Insight Panel
Industry Insight PanelNetworking Lunch
Emerging Markets BriefingDedicated Tradeshow Hour
Networking LunchStudio Slate Presentations
Dedicated Tradeshow HourClosing Afterparty
Studio Slate Presentations 
META Cinema Awards 

AGENDA

at a glance

Birthday Party

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Corporate Event

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Wedding

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Anniversaries

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Private Party

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Masquerade Party

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WHY CHOOSE US

Very Responsible With Your Event

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Friendly Team

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The Best Venues

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Unique Scenario

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Awesome Event

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Event Done

WHY CHOOSE US

Very Responsible With Your Event

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Friendly Team

Aenean pharetra erat in nisl blandit hendrerit integer.

The Best Venues

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Unique Scenario

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Awesome Event

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SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Bronze Sponsor
Associate Sponsor
Associate Sponsor
Content Partner – Russia
Strategic Cinema Screens Partner
Official Audio Sponsor
Official Lighting Partner
Official Seating Partner
Official Digital Signage Partner
Supporting Partner
Supporting 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
Strategic Partner
Industry 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

MEDIA PARTNERS

Project Intelligence Partner
Knowledge Partner

VENUE

Grand Hyatt Dubai

FLOOR PLAN

ACCOMODATION

As per our clients’ feedback, we have relocated META Cinema Forum to a more accessible venue, the Grand Hyatt. Our team has worked hard to secure the best rates for our clients from the hotel. These rates are inclusive of all taxes and fees, so are more economical than any other booking site. We have secured a limited number of these rooms at these rates, so we encourage you to book your room now to avail from these rates. Kindly note that we have managed to extend these rates for 2 days before and after the event as well for those clients who wish to extend their stay.

REGISTER

META Cinema Forum continues to grow in terms of content, diversification, networking and business opportunities. Attendance at the event can now be secured from 2 tiers of tickets for delegates, or sponsorship opportunities. To book a stand at the trade show or to learn about the sponsorship opportunities, contact partnerships@gmevents.ae

Select complimentary tickets are available for program and event partners. To partner with the event and avail of complimentary tickets, please contact the Program Director leila.masinaei@gmevents.ae

Paid delegate passes can only be secured after the payment is processed via a credit card. Please note that only completing the registration form will not secure a delegate pass for this event. If you do not have access to a credit card and wish to register through other payment methods, or wish for a member of our team to contact you and answer your questions before completing your registration process, please send us an email at  partnerships@gmevents.ae with your details and the name of the event and we will contact you as soon as received. 

Once you have completed the registration and payment process, please do check your spam/junk folder in case our system generated confirmations are not delivered to your inbox.












    CONTACT US

    FOR SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES

    Leila Masinaei

    FOR SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES

    Bencily Thomas

    FOR MARKETING

    James Bury

    Founded in 2018 as a cinema joint venture between Barco, CGS, and ALPD, Cinionic unites global leaders committed to creating a new visual standard and moving the cinema industry forward. Cinionic’s enhanced services and technology solutions provide compelling cinema experiences for today, future-proofed for tomorrow. The company’s world-class technology portfolio includes award-winning laser projectors, HDR, integrated media servers, and premium cinema experiences, among other innovations.

    With more than 85,000 projectors installed globally, Cinionic is trusted by more than 200 exhibitors to help capture audiences at multiple touchpoints in their cinema journey and keep them coming back for more. Today, more than half of the world’s movie theaters are illuminated by Cinionic.

    Cinionic has offices in Belgium, United States, Hong Kong, and Mexico. Visit www.cinionic.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook or YouTube for more information.