Largest gathering of Cinema Industry professionals in the MENA region

WHO WE ARE

Now in its second year, the MENA Cinema Forum is the largest gathering platform of cinema industry experts from across the globe in the MENA region. The forum is designed to support the evolution of the industry through updates on regional projects and plans, technological and technical advancements and best practices in next generation of customer experience and engagement, through a mixture of various content and mediums. The inaugural edition gathered over 600 experts from 45 countries from across the cinema industry supply chain. The 2019 edition will build on the inaugural edition and will include a 3-day conference, dedicated expo hours, film slates, private screening, floor presentations, product demos, workshops, awards and so much more

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

STRATEGIC PARTNER

CINEMA PARTNERS

PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS

FLOOR PLAN

VIDEO GALLERY

VIEW FULL GALLERY

PHOTO GALLERY

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2019 EVENT IN NUMBERS

60+

SPEAKERS

200+

C-LEVEL EXECUTIVES

800+

ATTENDEES

115+

SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS

50+

COUNTRIES REPRESENTED

2019 EVENT IN NUMBERS

60+

SPEAKERS

200+

C-LEVEL EXECUTIVES

800+

ATTENDEES

115+

SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS

50+

COUNTRIES REPRESENTED

EVENT FEATURES

SPEAKERS

Jan Runge

MENA Cinema Chairman & Advisor

Cameron Mitchell

Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas and Majid Al Futtaim Leisure & Entertainment

Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen

Chief Executive Officer, Novo Cinemas

Mohamed Al Hashemi

Country Manager KSA, Majid Al Futtaim Ventures

Toni El Massih

Chief Content Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas

Maria Gedeon

Marketing Director, Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment and Cinemas

Melissa Cogavin

Managing Director, Melissa Cogavin Limited and ex-founder and CEO of the Event Cinema Association

Melissa Jarvinen

Sales & Marketing Director, Novo Cinemas

Rony Mitri

Regional Director – Content Acquisition & Sales, Gulf Film

Asim Altokhais

Co-Founder/ Award-winning screenwriter and script consultant at 3rd action incorporation, the strategic screenwriting partner of CINEMA Forum

Amer Bin Ahmed

Chief Executive Officer, Knauf, Middle East and India

Gianluca Chakra

Managing Partner, Front Row Filmed Entertainment

Abdulaziz Almuzaini

Co-Founder – CEO, Myrkott Animation Studio

Ryan Arbabi

Technical Director, Farrat Isolevel Ltd

Time	Location	Activity
08:30	Expo Floor, Level 2, Conrad	Trade Show and Conference Registration
10:00	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	Welcome Remarks from Event Host Leila Masinaei, Managing Partner, GM Events
10:05	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	Welcome Remarks from Event Advisor and Chairman Jan Runge, MENA Cinema Advisor and Chairman
10:15	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	Opening Keynote from Event Strategic Partner Cameron Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas and Majid Al Futtaim Leisure & Entertainment
10:30	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	Keynote Panel Discussion: Government Strategies and Updates * The economic, cultural and societal value of cinema and a thriving film sector * Main policies across the region and how they may impact the expansion of the industry * Main hurdles, obstacles and opportunities in the region
11:00	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	Keynote Panel Discussion: MENA Cinema Upcoming Project Updates * VOX Saudi Arabia upcoming projects overview and updates Mohamed Al Hashemi, Country Manager KSA, Majid Al Futtaim Ventures * Cinema Exhibitor 2 upcoming projects overview and updates Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen, Chief Executive Officer, Novo Cinemas * Cinema exhibitor 3 upcoming projects overview and updates * Cinema exhibitor 4 upcoming projects overview and updates * Cinema exhibitor 5 upcoming projects overview and updates * Open floor Q&A
12:00	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	Welcome Keynote: Event Platinum Sponsors Amer Bin Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer, Knauf, Middle East and India
12:15	Expo Floor, Level 2, Conrad	Trade Show Inauguration (open door to public and attendees) During the trade show hours, attendees can engage in the following activities: * Closed Door Business Meetings (Room available for pre-booking) * Floor Activities: * Product Presentations from sponsors * Floor Talks * 12:30: Presentation Slot 1: Knauf * 13:00: Presentation Slot 2 * 13:30: Presentation Slot 3 * AR/VR Zone * Movie Themes Photobooth and Interactive Zones * Floor Entertainment
14:00	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	Event Cinema Showcase The attendees will enjoy a special screening of an Event Cinema production
14:30	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	Networking Lunch
15:30	Expo Floor, Level 2, Conrad	Trade Show Hours Continued During the trade show hours, attendees can engage in the following activities: * Closed Door Business Meetings (Room available for pre-booking) * Floor Activities: * Product Presentations from Sponsors * AR/VR Zone * Movie Themes Photobooth and Interactive Zones * Event Partners Appreciation Awards
17:00	VOX Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates	Studio 2020 Slate Presentation
19:00	VOX Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates	Exclusive Movie Premier First Saudi Full Feature Animation Movie by Myrkott Animation Studio
21:30	Poolside, Conrad	Post Premier Themed After Party (Open exclusively to event delegates and partners)

Time	Location	Activity
08:30	Expo Floor, Level 2, Conrad	Trade Show and Conference Registration
10:00	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	Panel Discussion 1: Cinema Technology and Innovation * Cinema design innovation * Cinema projection technology: LED vs. Laser * Cinema acoustics: The future of object-based sound * 4D and 5D * Immersive and 360 * AR/VR * Latest dine-in and bar concepts * Digital signage solutions * Smart Projectors
11:00	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	Mid-Session Break: * A leading filmmaker’s live video talk on their perspective on cinema technology * Regional production house showreel
11:30	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	Panel Discussion 2: Managing Audience Engagement and Growth * Data-driven cinema marketing by film studios and operators * F&B and increased profitability * Cinema experience and unique concepts * Diversification of cinema classes and experiences- case studies * Marketing and advertisement * Industry partnerships with leading brands (2 for 1 offers such as Du 2 for Tuesdays in Dubai) * The future of screen advertising * What’s next for loyalty programs * Dynamic pricing and the cinema experience Panelists: * Maria Gedeon, Marketing Director, Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment and Cinemas * Melissa Jarvinen, Sales & Marketing Director, Novo Cinemas
12:30	Expo Floor, Level 2, Conrad	Trade Show Hours (open door to public and attendees) During the trade show hours, attendees can engage in the following activities: * Closed Door Business Meetings (Room available for pre-booking) * Floor Activities: * Product Presentations from sponsors * Floor Talks * 12:30: Presentation Slot 1 * 13:00: Presentation Slot 2 * 13:30: Presentation Slot 3 * AR/VR Zone * Movie Themes Photobooth and Interactive Zones * Floor Entertainment
14:00	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	A Short Film Screening: Myrkott Animation Studio Short Film Detective Dog #Masameer مسامير تحريات كلب#
14:40	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	Networking Lunch
15:30	Expo Floor, Level 2, Conrad	Trade Show Hours Continued During the trade show hours, attendees can engage in the following activities: * Closed Door Business Meetings (Room available for pre-booking) * Floor Activities: * Product Presentations from Sponsors * AR/VR Zone * Movie Themes Photobooth and Interactive Zones * Floor Entertainment
17:00	VOX Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates	Front Row Filmed Entertainment 2020 Content Slate Presentation
17:00	Leading Cinema Theatre (Venue TBC)	Site Visit Tour The international attendees will be offered a site visit tour of one of Dubai’s newly opened cinema concepts and will be offered an overview of the venue’s USPs and target audience plans amongst Dubai’s competitive cinema sector
19:00	VOX Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates (IMAX Theatre)	Movie Premier (Open to attendees and Public)
21:00	Poolside, Conrad	Post Event Outdoor Dinner Party

Time	Location	Activity
08:30	Expo Floor, Level 2, Conrad	Trade Show and Conference Registration
10:00	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	Production and Distribution Focus Day Panel Discussion 1: Overview of Current and Future Content Needs of the MENA Region * Statistics of current demands and content consumption of movie goers in the region * Arabic versus Hollywood versus Bollywood and beyond: What should the regional cinemas offer based on urbanization trends and projections? * Procuring content for all demographics of the society * Balancing cultural needs and sensitivities with emerging movie ratings or film ratings: How will the region evolve? * Evolution of film procurement and distribution to meet the evolving market needs Panelists: * Rony Mitri, Regional Director – Content Acquisition & Sales, Gulf Film * Asim Altokhais, Co-Founder/ Award-winning screenwriter and script consultant at 3rd action incorporation, the strategic screenwriting partner of Cinema Forum * Gianluca Chakra, Managing Partner, Front Row Filmed Entertainment
11:00	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	Panel Discussion 2: Transforming the Region to Increase International and Regional Film Production * Role of Government and overview of initiatives to attracts international film production * Public-private partnerships in increasing regional film production * Role of academia in improving regional production capacities * Overcoming distribution and marketing gaps for promoting Arab movies * Arab content for an emerging market: Feeding the appetite * Current gaps in film making scene and what is needed to address them * Plans and visions for the future * Opportunities for cross boarder collaborations and JVs between Arab and International studios Panelists: * Toni El Massih, Chief Content Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas * Abdulaziz Almuzaini, Co-Founder – CEO, Myrkott Animation Studio * Asim Altokhais, Co-Founder/ Award-winning screenwriter and script consultant at 3rd action incorporation, the strategic screenwriting partner of Cinema Forum
12:00	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	Mid-Session Break * Entertainment Experience UAE: The first project of its kind in the Arab world films production * Select slate from the production process and resultant Film
13:00	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	Panel Discussion 3: Event Cinema: The next generation of exhibition content * Overview of Event Cinema statistics * Setting up an Event Cinema strategy for your Operations * Procurement, marketing and promotion of live events * eSports in cinemas Moderator: * Melissa Cogavin, Managing Director, Melissa Cogavin Limited and ex-founder and CEO of the Event Cinema Association
13:30	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	Conference Wrap Up Summary Jan Runge, MENA Cinema Advisor and Chairman
13:45	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	Networking Lunch
14:45	Expo Floor, Level 2, Conrad	Trade Show Hours (open door to public and attendees) During the trade show hours, attendees can engage in the following activities: * Closed Door Business Meetings (Room available for pre-booking) * Floor Activities: * Product Presentations from Sponsors * Floor Talks * 15:00 Presentation Slot 1 * 15:30: Presentation Slot 2 * 16:00: Presentation Slot 3 * 16:30: Presentation Slot 4 * AR/VR Zone * Movie Themes Photobooth and Interactive Zones * Floor Entertainment
14:45	Conference Floor, Workshop Rooms, Level 4, Conrad	Master Classes and Workshops * Movie Financing Masterclass * Movie Distribution Workshop * Script writing workshop * Producer Workshop * Directing Workshop * Acting workshop
17:00	VOX Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates	Studio Product Presentation 2 and Screening (For cinema exhibitors only)
17:00	Sharjah Performing Arts Academy	Site Tour of Sharjah Performing Arts Academy This tour will expose attendees to MENA’s first performing arts academy
20:30	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	MENA Cinema Awards Welcome Reception (By invite only)
21:00	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	MENA Cinema Awards Ceremony (By invite only) ComScore Awards: * Highest Grossing Movie of the Year * Highest Grossing Arabic Title of the Year * Highest Grossing Indian Title of the Year * Highest Grossing Exhibitor of the Year * Highest Grossing Distributor of the Year Judges Awards: * Best New Cinema Design of the Year * Best New Cinema Technology of the Year * Best Event Cinema of the Year People’s Choice Awards: * Best Arab Movie of the Year * Best Arab Director of the Year * Best Arab Actor of the Year * Best Arab Actress of the Year * Best Arab Screenplay of the Year Nomination Judging Panel: * Rony Mitri, Independent Advisor * Asim Altokhais, Co-Founder/ Award-winning screenwriter and script consultant at 3rd action incorporation, the strategic screenwriting partner of Cinema Forum * Gianluca Chakra, Managing Partner, Front Row Filmed Entertainment * Toni El Massih, Chief Content Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas
22:00	Conference Floor, Level 4, Conrad	Post Awards Reception