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.
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
Event Done
Years Of Experience
Happy Client
Trusted Vendor
Event Done
Years Of Experience
Happy Client
Trusted Vendor
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
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
- Leila Masinaei, Managing Partner, GM Events
Baniyas Ballroom 3
09:05
Welcome remarks
- Paul Schwarz, Owner & Technical Director of Dubai Acoustic Research Laboratory & Chairman of the Middle East Acoustic Society, UAE
Baniyas Ballroom 3
09:10
Presentation: Tackling the exhibition challenges in the region
- Is it time for a regional cinema association?
- The role, benefit and gains form an association
- Role of cinema associations in curbing piracy
Speaker:
- Laura Houlgatte, CEO, International Union of Cinemas
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:
- Gianluca Chakra, Managing Partner and Producer, Front Row Film Entertainment
Baniyas Ballroom 3
09:50
Panel discussion: The regional strategy for increased local content production and international content produced locally.
- How does fit with the overall regional market size?
- What are the potential secondary service offerings being planned to assist/take advantage of this strategy (social media production, logistics, transport, hospitality, equipment, engineering, etc?
- How can regional production transfer internationally?
- Learning from success of Jordan as a regional and global production hub of the Arab world
- International co-production
- Why some films work why some films don’t
- What films are the most profitable on a global market scale?
Moderator:
- Hans Fraikin, Independent Global Film and Television Specialist, UAE
Panellists:
- Bassam A. Hajjawi, President/CEO Near East Productions and Board Member Royal Film Commission Jordan
- Abhishek Jain, Co-founder Oho Gujarati, Founder CineMan Productions Limited India
- Serge Zabbal, Business Director, MENA, Empire Entertainment
- Alaa Karkouti, Film Analyst, CEO and Co-founder of MAD Solutions and Co-Founder of the Arab Cinema (ACC)
- Fagr Kassim Ali, Advisor – Media Sector Development Department, Sharjah Media City (SHAMS), UAE
- Darine El Khatib, Vice President, Film Productions, Majid Al Futtaim
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
- Is KSA theatrical market size realization on track?
- What factors, aside form the pandemic, have affected the country’s cinema sector?
- Will KSA run out of willing audience?
- How many more screens are needed versus what is planned?
- How can industry pull together to gain common benefits?
Panelists:
- Mohammed Obaidullah, General Manager of Arts and Culture, The Royal Commission for the City of Riyadh, KSA
Baniyas Ballroom 3
13:20
Regional Briefing: META cinema upcoming project and strategy updates
- Presentation: From a JV to a franchise model: A look at AMC Cinema’s ambitious plans and projects
Speaker:
- Sari Khumaiyes, Commercial Director, AMC Cinemas, KSA
- Presentation: VOX Cinema
Speaker:
- Toni El Massih, Managing Director Cinemas, Vox Cinemas
- Presentation: Cinepolis Gulf
Speaker:
- Alejandro Aguilera Garibay, Chief Executive Officer, Cinepolis Gulf
- Presentation: Roxy Cinemas
Speaker:
- Murray Rea, Director, Roxy Cinemas
- Presentation: Muvi Cinemas
Speaker:
- Adon Quinn, CEO, Muvi Cinemas
Moderator:
- Paul Schwarz, Owner & Technical Director of Dubai Acoustic Research Laboratory & Chairman of the Middle East Acoustic Society, UAE
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
- Overview of key facts and stats
- Market gaps and needs
- Planned projects
- Project finance
- PPPs for African cinema requirements
Moderator:
- Paul Schwarz, Owner & Technical Director of Dubai Acoustic Research Laboratory & Chairman of the Middle East Acoustic Society, UAE
Panelists:
- Moses Babatope, Co-founder, Group Deputy Managing Director /Managing Director FilmOne, The Filmhouse Group - Filmhouse Cinemas - FilmOne Entertainment
- Funmi Onuma, Country Manager, Silverbird Cinemas
- Areej Zarrouq, Film Director, Producer, and Curator
- Financing Bank 1
- Financing Bank 2
Baniyas Ballroom 3
16:00
Technology briefing: Cinemas of the future: A look at emerging cinema trends and technologies
- Detailed overview of the world’s first metaverse cinema
- Metaverse, augmented reality and VR and their impact on movie production and consumption
- AI and cinema ticket booking: What is new?
- AI and impact on the cinema industry
- Metaverse, AR and VR and the future of cinema going
- Small screen to big screen: Adaptability of content to be suitable for theatrical screening
Moderator:
- Paul Schwarz, Owner & Technical Director of Dubai Acoustic Research Laboratory & Chairman of the Middle East Acoustic Society, UAE
Speakers:
- Sohail Dahdal, Head – Department of Media Communication, American University of Sharjah, UAE
- Dr. Sabir Haque, Assistant Professor – Mass Communication- School of Arts and Sciences, American University of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
- Pooyan Sedghi, Film Producer & VOD platform owner
- Kunal Duggal, Digital Lead (Bharti Airtel Limited), EssenceMediacom, India
- Technology Innovation Partner 1
- Technology Innovation Partner 2
- Technology Innovation Partner 3
Baniyas Ballroom 3
16:55
Chairman summary and end of conference day 1
- Paul Schwarz, Owner & Technical Director of Dubai Acoustic Research Laboratory & Chairman of the Middle East Acoustic Society, UAE
Baniyas Ballroom 3
17:00
Studio product presentation 2 by:
- Central Partnership, Russia
VOX Cinemas Grand Hyatt
18:00
Studio product presentation 3
VOX Cinemas Grand Hyatt
19:00
META Cinema Awards and Gala Reception
- Highest grossing exhibitor of the year Middle East
- Highest grossing distributor of the year Middle East
- Highest grossing Arabic title
- Highest grossing English title
- Highest grossing Indian title
- Highest grossing African title
- Highest grossing exhibitor of the year Africa
- Highest grossing distributor of the year Africa
The awards reception will include an exciting and entertaining evening and will include:
- Cocktails and canapes reception
- Magic show
- Dance show
- Fire show
- Music and dancing
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
- Paul Schwarz, Owner & Technical Director of Dubai Acoustic Research Laboratory & Chairman of the Middle East Acoustic Society, UAE
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
Speaker:
- Cenk Sezgin, Chairman, Cinemarine
Baniyas Ballroom 3
09:50
Presentation: MENA Cinema in the global theatrical landscape; key trends and opportunities in 2023 and beyond
Speaker:
- Charlotte Jones, Senior Principal Analyst: Cinema & Movies, OMDIA, part of Informa Tech
Baniyas Ballroom 3
10:05
Case study presentation: Rewarding every cinema patron and increasing moviegoer numbers
Speaker:
- AB Moosa, Chief Executive Officer, Avalon Group (PTY) LTD
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
Speaker:
- Tanya Easterman, Founder, Daiku UK
Baniyas Ballroom 3
10:55
Technology Briefing: Overview of latest successful loyalty and reward programs
- Presentation: Loyalty partner 1
- Presentation: Loyalty partner 2
- Presentation: Loyalty partner 3
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
- What are the most successful marketing strategies in the MENA region?
- Word of mouth?
- Advertising?
- Social media?
- How to reach and penetrate the various target audience in the region?
- How to increase the number of active movie goers through marketing channels?
- Learning marketing from other leisure, service and entertainment industries
- Study of promotional strategies of Bollywood films in the UAE
Moderator:
- Paul Schwarz, Owner & Technical Director of Dubai Acoustic Research Laboratory & Chairman of the Middle East Acoustic Society, UAE
Panelists:
- Sambhram Pattanayak, Lecturer, Film & Television Production, Amity University- Dubai
- Mary Ephraim Egbas, President, Homelands Films Ltd. - Nigeria
- Stefano Fallaha, CEO, Podeo
- Neil Wirasinha, CRO, Gruvi
- Marketing/Communication Partner 1
- Advertising Agency 1
- Advertising Agency 2
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?
- What are cinemas doing to attract audiences in form of investing in the elevating the experience?
- Premium design
- Premium technology
- Premium F&B
- Premium service
Moderator:
- Paul Schwarz, Owner & Technical Director of Dubai Acoustic Research Laboratory & Chairman of the Middle East Acoustic Society, UAE
Panelists:
- Serge Plasch, Chief Commercial Officer, Cinionic
- David Wallace, Director, Chapman Taylor
- Naaser Aldeen Sawaf, Managing Director, Sand Dunes Management Consultancy, UAE
- Friedrich (Fritz) Deininger, Sr. Director Cinema and Partner Management, EMEAI, Dolby Laboratories
- Murray Rea, Director, Roxy Cinemas
- Solution Provider 1
- Solution Provider 2
Baniyas Ballroom 3
16:00
Conference wrap-up
- Paul Schwarz, Owner & Technical Director of Dubai Acoustic Research Laboratory & Chairman of the Middle East Acoustic Society, UAE
Baniyas Ballroom 3
17:30
Movie screening
TBC
19:30
Closing Party
TBC
21:30
End of event
| Tuesday, 24 October 2023 | Wednesday, 25 October 2023 |
|---|---|
| Key Cinema Statistics from META and Emerging Markets | Content Breakout Session |
| Spotlight Sessions | Cinema Construction Breakout Session |
| Middle East Region Briefing | Dedicated Tradeshow Session |
| Dedicated Tradeshow Session | Industry Insight Panel |
| Industry Insight Panel | Networking Lunch |
| Emerging Markets Briefing | Dedicated Tradeshow Hour |
| Networking Lunch | Studio Slate Presentations |
| Dedicated Tradeshow Hour | Closing 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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Event Done
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
Cras porttitor urna eu metus efficitur, a tempus ligula vehicula. Donec ornare pharetra metus nec vehicula. Etiam mauris dolor, interdum id vestibulum et pharetra ac libero. Etiam vestibulum in mi sit amet.
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
MEDIA PARTNERS
VENUE
Grand Hyatt Dubai
- https://www.hyatt.com/
- +971 4 3171234
- Oud Metha Road, Dubai Healthcare City Riyadh Street - Near Sheikh Rashid Rd - 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
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
- Managing Partner
- +971 4 568 7800
- leila.masinaei@gmevents.ae
