Dubai, UAE – The 6th Edition of the META Cinema Forum has wrapped up, leaving an enduring impact on the cinema industry in emerging markets. Held from November 7 to 12, 2023, at the esteemed Grand Hyatt in Dubai, this year’s forum stands as a pivotal moment, notably as the cinema market is forecasted to experience a significant uptick of USD 660.48 million by 2027.
Evolution of META Cinema Forum: A Nexus of Cinematic Minds
META Cinema Forum solidified its position as a pivotal gathering for cinema industry leaders, transcending geographical boundaries and fostering collaboration across regions, projects, and partnerships. Serving as the preeminent platform for the exchange of ideas, strategies, and innovations, this year’s forum had a special focus on empowering Women in Cinema.
Tony El Massih from VOX Cinemas said, “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. Today’s success is a testament to the Forum’s significance, evolving and growing, fostering innovation and collaboration across regions. We’re excited to be part of this transformative journey.”
Empowering Women in Cinema: ‘Beyond the Glitz’ Round Table Discussion
In a demonstration of commitment to inclusivity, META Cinema Forum hosted a special session titled ‘Beyond the Glitz.’ Accomplished female panelists, including Nancy Paton, Charlotte Louise Sutcliffe, Ozge Conduroglu, and Ashleigh Potts, engaged in a round table discussion on the business side of the film industry. This initiative recognized and celebrated the invaluable contributions of women in shaping the cinematic landscape.
META Cinema Forum Program: A Cinematic Extravaganza
The forum’s program was a rich tapestry of events, including a convention and tradeshow, conference sessions, product presentations, special screenings, premieres, workshops, masterclasses, a Black-tie awards ceremony, networking reception, meetings areas, and content and cinema construction breakout sessions.
Leila Masinaei, Managing Partner at Great Mind Events Management, expressed satisfaction, stating, “The success of the 6th META Cinema Forum reflects our unwavering commitment to advancing the cinematic landscape in emerging markets. This year’s event has reinforced our belief in the power of collaboration, innovation, and shared experiences within the industry. We are excited about the future possibilities and the role META Cinema Forum will continue to play in shaping the cinema sector in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the CIS region.”
Theme for 2023: “Growing the Region’s Cinema Share”
The theme for the 2023 edition was “Growing the region’s cinema share,” reflecting a commitment to foster growth and innovation in the industry. Discussions, presentations, and workshops revolved around the industry’s challenges, solutions, and the current market situation. Topics covered included Regional Content Production and International Collaboration, Cinemas of the Future, and an in-depth look at emerging cinema trends and technologies with key cinema statistics and case studies on Rewarding Patrons and Effective Pricing Strategies.
On day two, a panel discussion took place on successful movie marketing for the region and another on ‘Elevating the Experiential Elements of Cinemas’ featured leaders in cinema design, technology, and hospitality, discussing strategies for enhancing the cinema-going experience.
Serge Plasch, Chief Commercial Officer at Cinionic, expressed enthusiasm 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 is set to WOW moviegoers time over time, and we are excited to share this with the visitors attending the forum.”
META Cinema Awards and Gala Reception: A Night of Celebration
The pinnacle of the META Cinema Forum was the Awards and Gala Reception, a night dedicated to recognizing outstanding achievements in the cinema industry. Awards were presented by Nathan Gilligan, Senior Operations Manager at Comscore, and Nena Loncar, Client Insights Manager at Comscore.
Recipients of the prestigious accolades included:
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
The resounding success of the META Cinema Forum underscores its significance in the global cinematic landscape, offering a platform for collaboration, innovation, and celebration of achievements. As the forum unfolded over the past days, it has set the stage for the future of cinema in emerging markets, with an unwavering commitment to growth, inclusivity, and excellence.
