Cove
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MINDSHARE THEATREWORLD EDITORIAL
Issue # 72 November-Decembe 2015
It’s time for celebration with TheatreWorld’s 17th Anniversary. Yes, the magazine was launched in 1999 to cater to Indian readers and today we have an international presence, with TheatreWorld reaching different corners of the world. We thank all our advertisers, exhibitors, subscribers and content providers who made this possible. My recent visit to Muscat, Oman was truly an amazing one as I completely enjoyed being in the thick of hot-n-happening cinema events in the Sultanate city. One feels elated to be among the firsts to experience MediaMation’s 4D system at City Cinema Panaroma. City Cinema’s latest launch at the iconic Panorama Mall, Muscat Oasis is the first in the country to install the 4D system. The Cinema is also home to the finest VIP lounge with boothless projection system. Just back after moderating two sessions at Indywood Film Market in Kochi: One on “Increasing Footfalls in Theatres” and the other on “Engaging Cinema Audience through Personalization & Future Proof Technology”. Both the sessions were meant for cinema owners. I woke up one seemingly usual morning in Bengaluru only to find horrifying images of terrorist attacks in Paris, flashing TV news channels! “Attackers killed 130 people and 368 people were injured in a series of coordinated attacks,” read the headlines. Even as this man-made catastrophe shook the nations of the world, another disaster caused by nature’s fury made headlines simultaneously. Heavy rains lashed Chennai and its neighbouring districts in Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh, throwing normal life and business out of gear. Although it was raining cash at multiplexes in Tamil Nadu with Ajith Kumar’s Vedalam and Kamal Haasan’s Thoongavanam, small cinema owners were not as fortunate. Since the rains showed no signs of relenting, several localities were inundated and the cinema owners in these areas had to return the tickets that people booked well in advance. Last quarter, India saw a big-time release of Salman Khan-starrer Prem Ratan Dhan Payo crossing INR 350 cr collections and now the wait is on for Shah Rukh Khan’s Dilwale to create the magic at the box office. The last quarter of the year is really a busy season with cinema exhibitions buzzing across the globe. The line-up includes the recently-concluded ShowEast in Florida, Australian International Movie Convention, ExpoCine in Brazil and Indywood Film Market in India; and the yet to come CineAsia in Hong Kong and ISB Expo in Dubai. Middle East is one region that traditionally lacked the presence of tradeshows for cinema exhibition. And ISB Expo should be able to make a great deal of difference in this regard. Talking of CineAsia, TheatreWorld has been a regular participant at the event since 1999. We, once again, are very pleased to showcase TheatreWorld at Asia’s premiere tradeshow and convention. We express our gratitude to the organisers for making us a part of the ‘CineAsia landscape’. Raghavendra T Editor-Publisher
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Raghavendra T Editor-Publisher +91 9980 208 208 raghav@network208.com
Sandeep Mittal Founder Editor Publisher
Authors & Writers Asra Shaheen Heti Dave Michael Karagosian Savita V Jayaram
Cover Art : K. Anilkumar Using the references which take new form through the use of textures, filters, patterns and sophisticated digital techniques with acrylic paint on canvas in the genre of 'Mixed Media Art“ in exclusive or limited edition canvases. His latest works are displayed at Renaissance Art Gallery Bengaluru and currently working with Master artist Vijit Pillai an internationally recognised artist.
Clancy D’souza Sales & Marketing +91 78753 29282 clancy@network208.com
M Naga Bhanu / Prabakaran R Online & Social Media Printing Ramya Reprographic, Bengaluru Published by Raghavendra T on behalf of NETWORK208 013, Skylark Enclave, 5th Main, Jagadish Nagar, New Thippasandra Post, Bengaluru 560 075, India info@network208.com / www.network208.com
RNI # KARENG02795/10/1/2002-TC TheatreWorld is a bi-monthly publication, on the motion picture exhibition industry, for private circulation. It reaches out to subscribers, mainly theatre owners and trade professionals around the world. Additional copies are being promoted at major international industry tradeshows. TheatreWorld seeks the healthy promotion of the theatre industry through dissemination of useful information. Some of the information is compiled from industry sources, trade journals, company brochures for the benefit of readers, especially, theatre owners. TheatreWorld acknowledges with thanks the authors and publishers of these printed materials. Views expressed in the articles are those of the authors and not necessarily of TheatreWorld. TheatreWorld is a trademark under registration. The contents of TheatreWorld are under copyright registration. All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Unsolicited printed material is welcome but no responsibility is undertaken for the same and will not be returned. TheatreWorld does not take responsibility for the absolute accuracy of information published.
contents
This issue of TW has two sets of page numbers - International pages TW-1 to TW-52 for TW, and India pages TM-1 to TM-40 for TM. TM is inserted between pages TW-46 and TW-47 of TW.
SPECIAL FEATURE TW-18
CinéBistro
The Luxury of Dine-in Cinema!
INSTALLS TW-24
City Cinema
Makes a Grand Opening in the Sultanate TW-28
VOX at Mall of the Emirates
The Entertainment Flagship
S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
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Mukta A2 Cinemas
Expanding its Horizon
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TW-36 CGV Starium Goes Laser
TECHNOLOGY Westgate Cineplex
TRADESHOWS
Another Mega Cineplex by Major!
I N S TA L L S
TW-38 Michael's Green Paper
TW-40 Review TW-42 Review TW-44 Preview -
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TW-46 Preview -
F
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U T U R E
R E L E A S E S
TM-3
TM-8
Ajay Bijli Master of India Plexing
INDIA PLEXING TM-15
Delhi's Heritage
Amba Cinemas Upgraded! TM-22
Miraj Launches
54th Screen TM-24
TM-16 INDIA PLEXING
SPECIAL FEATURE
Srinivasa Theatre
Cinépolis Launches its Second
Multiplex in Hyderabad & Forays into Kochi
New Cinematic Journey with 3D TM-26
E-SQUARE
Wholesome Entertainment with New Xion TM-29
Kolhapur's
First Premium Multiplex TM-30
Citypride Royal Cinemas
The Pride of Pune
BUSINESS TREND TM-33
Christie India's New
State-of-the-Art Facility in Bangalore TM-36 Bringing Best-in-Class Cinema Solutions
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Christie Acquires Allure Global Solutions Christie, a global visual technologies company, announced the acquisition of Allure Global Solutions, Inc. (Allure), an engagement and transaction technologies provider, as well as all of its products and services. The firm is headquartered in Atlanta, and will operate as "Allure, a Christie Company." Allure provides digital signage, point-of-sale and consumer engagement solutions, in the form of products and services, to a variety of entertainment and retail markets including theatres, restaurants, stadiums, arenas, convention centres, theme parks and cultural attractions. "Christie and Allure have shared customers, most notably in the cinema market, and in the course of working together over the past decade, respect for and appreciation of each other's 'customer first' attitude and practices has grown," said Craig Sholder, EVP Business Development and Strategic Planning for Christie. "Given the opportunities to provide a more comprehensive, digital outof-home (DOOH) solution to varied markets, the next step was selfevident. We are pleased to combine the consumer engagement, analytics, and integration solutions from Allure with Christie's own array of products and services - most notably the offerings of the Christie Experiential Networks (CEN)," added Sholder. Craig Chapin, CEO of Allure, echoed Sholder's sentiments, noting that "The synergies and opportunities this union provides are broad and deep, for both our current clients and our two companies. As we continue to grow our core verticals and expand our presence into others, our mutual offerings will provide exciting new engagement and technology solutions not only for cinema, but also for theme parks, cultural
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attractions, stadiums, restaurants, and many other clients." "I'm also excited to have the customer-support resources of Christie's Global Professional Services team to draw on. While Allure's 24/7/ 365 help desk is a top-notch group, having access to Christie's Network Operations Center (NOC) has the potential for improving our proactive services to our customers by an order of magnitude." added Chapin. Some of the benefits to Allure clients include (but are not limited to): Access to a wide range of additional digital media products and solutions from Christie; Increased capabilities, infrastructure, market presence and experience across the global expanse in which Christie operates; Expanded strategic and tactical knowledge base and resources; In-sourced, highly experienced site deployment, and ongoing field support resources and Greater supply-chain capabilities, services and support. Some of the benefits to Christie clients include (but are not limited to): Additional resources skilled and experienced in consumer engagement strategy execution for various market verticals and businesses; Expanded content strategy, creative development and implementation resources; Access to advanced business analytics resources; A wider array of digital media technology solutions for theatres, stadiums, cultural attractions, restaurant/foodservice, and other retail sectors - tightly integrated with Christie Experiential Networks (CEN).
Christie Experiential Networks solutions "From the Street to the Screens" ranges from complex, interactive, user-driven video walls, to projection mapping and multisided immersive environments. They create exciting destinations where consumers can respond to and interact with brands in the theatre lobbies prior to experiencing connected ads and information in theatre auditoriums. Therefore, they constitute a perfect fit with Allure's products and services.
CinemaBarco & Cine Brasil Partner to Bring Lobby Experience to Brazil Barco, the worldwide market share leader in digital cinema projection, is partnering with cinema integrator Cine Brasil to drive customer engagement and revenue opportunities in today's movie theatres with its Barco Lobby Experience. Described as "the show before the show," the customizable solution brings the box office, concessions and lobby area to life with a collection of bold, interactive visualization technologies. Barco and Cine Brasil have enjoyed a long, successful relationship, collaborating on numerous digital cinema conversions and new deployments in South America.
Now, they will jointly market and support the Barco Lobby Experience, demonstrating how this innovative solution can transform theatres into modern, visually spectacular entertainment venues. The Barco Lobby Experience offers scalable solutions ranging from a simple digital concession board, to interactive movie posters with POS capabilities, to animated box office signage, to a networked array of synchronized video walls featuring the latest movie trailers, called "Lobby Domination." Dynamic lighting solutions and high-impact audio can be added to amplify this visceral, enveloping experience. "Once again, Barco is leading the way in digitizing the cinema with innovative solutions that maximize the entertainment value for customers," comments Claudinei Mascaro, owner of Cine Brasil. "We see the lobby as a new frontier, captivating audiences with a unique experience, while building opportunities for new revenue streams." A key component of CinemaBarco, the Lobby Experience is unique in its ability to engage, entertain, inform and most importantly, motivate customers to purchase advance tickets or order movie merchandise. Mobile phones are a key element in the Lobby Experience equation, enabling real-time interaction between customers and the displays to drive engagement and purchases, as well as extend branding opportunities through social media. Another important revenue opportunity of the Barco Lobby Experience is to empower unique and compelling advertising opportunities. The solution not only enables exhibitors to broadcast theatre promotions, but also studio content and third-party advertising of food and beverage, consumer products and for other retailers. "We are delighted that Cine Brasil is joining Barco's global campaign to
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create a new paradigm in cinema entertainment based on engaging with customers the moment they walk through the door," comments Jim Molony, Director of Strategic Partnerships. "Cine Brasil's AV expertise and strong exhibitor relationships will be a tremendous asset to rolling out the Lobby Experience in Brazil, and we look forward to continued growth and mutual success."
Mars Cinema Group Chooses Sony 4K Digital Cinema One of Turkey's most prestigious cinema chains, Mars Cinema Group, has chosen to purchase a total of 82 Sony Digital Cinema 4K projectors to provide state-of-the-art digital 4K to its customers in their upcoming new cinema builds over the next year. Mars Cinema Group will be equipped with an array of Sony's 4K digital projector and 3D systems in the coming months. Mars Cinema Group provides services with Cinemaximum cinemas in Turkey. Its theatres are already 100% digital and the operator combines crystal clear 3D picture quality with all the advantages 3D brings to the movies, ensuring its visitors have a realistic, unrivalled cinematic experience. Mars Cinema Group also holds a box office market share of 50% in the rapidly expanding Turkish cinema industry.
The decision to press forward with Sony Digital Cinema 4K for their new cinema builds ensures Mars customers will continue to experience the very best in picture quality, enjoying crystal clear content. Movies projected in Sony 4K are bursting with life-like detail and rich vivid colours. 4K has come of age and is the choice of audiences and the industry alike with more and more movies being shot in 4K and mastered as a 4K DCP. Sony will supply 45 digital cinema 3D systems as well as providing 41 SRXR510P projectors, giving audiences the immersive thrill of Sony 4K in smaller auditoriums. 29 SRX-R515P projectors will be supplied for the mid-sized auditoriums and 8 of Sony's new DCI certified dual projection system the SRX-R515DS will be for Mars Cinema's large premium screens. Utilising an industry leading 8,000:1 contrast ratio with the performance of the SRX-R515 projector head, the SRXR515DS assures best-possible image quality with the lowest operating costs and easy set up thanks to the unique high pressure mercury lamp arrays in both projectors for premium large format (PLF) screens. It combines two Sony SRX-R515 projectors, delivering reference light levels for 2D presentation on screens up to 19.5m for 14ft-L on white screen with 1.8 gain, or 3D on screens as large as 23m for 4.5ft-L on silver
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screen with 2.4 gain (installation dependent). On smaller screens, the system delivers a lot of headroom in light output for those exhibitors who would like to project 3D images already going beyond today's light level standards. From Ankara to Van, Mardin to Izmir, a total of 10 new cinemas belonging to Mars Cinema Group will be installing Sony Digital Cinema 4K. The systems will be set up by Omega Cinema Systems, Sony's digital cinema distributor and a trusted expert in complete Digital Cinema Solutions around Turkey and neighbouring countries. Mars Cinema Group will also receive maintenance and support from Omega Cinema Systems for the next 5 years. This gives the cinema operator the peace of mind and freedom to focus on their customers, providing a comprehensive and flexible approach allowing operators to build a sustainable business on their own terms. Sony 4K digital cinema projector systems offer movie-goers the highest quality, most immersive and entertaining viewing experience possible. Sony Digital Cinema 4K Business Development Manager Tim Potter welcomed the partnership, stating, "In a time where movie goers are demanding the best visual experience, we are seeing a greater demand for improved image quality in cinema. From large cinema chains to smaller independent theatres, Sony is already offering movie-goers superior viewing experience with Sony 4K Digital Cinema projectors in over 18,000 cinemas. We are very happy that with this partnership with Mars Cinema Group we will be able to offer even more people 4K and Sony Digital Cinema 3D quality in cinemas across Turkey." "We are continuing our efforts to offer the best cinema experience in all corners of Turkey. As we continue to grow, our need for new projectors has also grown." said Kurt Rieder, CEO of Mars Cinema Group.
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"We carefully compared 4K offerings from all manufacturers and Sony's projectors distinguish themselves by being the best image quality available on the market today. Sony Digital Cinema 4K lets us give our guests the picture quality they deserve. This combined with a low total cost of ownership made the deal really attractive to us and our guests".
GDC Technology Brings the Latest Immersive Sound to Florida's EPIC Theatres GDC Technology Limited ("GDC Technology"), a world-leading digital cinema solutions provider, announced plans to install DTS:X, powered by GDC's Immersive Sound Media Server ("SX-2000X"), in four premium large format ("PLF") screens at three new EPIC Theatres locations in the first quarter of 2016. As DTS:X worldwide certification service agent, GDC Technology will be leading the effort to provide EPIC Theatres with a complete DTS:X immersive sound solution. Launched at CinemaCon 2015, DTS:X offers exhibitors an affordable immersive sound technology for auditoriums of any size. GDC's SX-2000X is the only digital cinema server currently available in the market capable of rendering DTS:X in real-time. The agreement with EPIC comprises theatres located in Orlando,
Jacksonville, and Titusville, and marks one of the first wide-ranging DTS:X screen rollouts in the United States. Founded in 2003, EPIC is a privately held motion picture exhibition company based in DeLand, Florida. The four planned PLF screens to be equipped with GDC's SX-2000X to offer DTS:X immersive sound align with the company's mission to provide the very best cinematic experience to all of its guests. The company currently operates 81 screens at seven sites, and has plans to add more than 60 screens at five new sites as part of its future expansion. "We have adopted GDC's SX-2000X in our new premium auditoriums so our audiences can enjoy DTS:X, which provides the most vivid and life-like cinema sound I've ever heard," said Clint DeMarsh, vice president of EPIC Theatres. "The server's built-in ability to render DTS:X in real-time is very impressive. By eliminating the need for an external immersive sound processor, the cost of converting a theatre screen is now manageable. We have collaborated with GDC Technology for over eight years, and we're confident that its new sound solutions will be as reliable as their other digital cinema products." "We are honoured that EPIC Theatres has chosen our immersive sound solution. The company is one of our most forward-thinking customers, and one of the early adopters of GDC's SX-2000X - a wise choice," said Dr ManNang Chong, GDC Technology's founder, chairman and CEO. "DTS:X, powered by GDC's SX-2000X, offers superior sound and is very flexible and easily integrated, something that theatre owners will appreciate as they upgrade or build their theatres. But audiences win too DTS:X's flexible speaker layout and SX-2000X's additional processing power now make immersive cinema sound available to a larger number of theatres than ever before, large and small alike, and make it more widely affordable. We're confident that it will be a great success for EPIC."
B&B Theatres Wentzville Selects Christie Christie, a leader in creating and sharing the world's best visual and audio experiences, announced it is the exclusive provider of digital cinema projection and high performance speaker technology for Missouri's newest B&B Theatres Wentzville Tower 12, located in Wentzville which opened recently. Every B&B auditorium is powered by a Christie Solaria Series DLP projector and has Christie Vive Audio, the cinema industry's only purpose built line array speaker solution, with installation by Sonic Equipment Company, a leading provider of cinema sales and services. The B&B Theatres Wentzville Tower 12 introduces the state of Missouri to the revolutionary performance of Christie Vive, whose unique ribbon driver technology and line array speakers helps unlock the dynamic range of motion picture soundtracks. The Wentzville Tower 12 includes the first B&B Theatres to have two B&B Grand Screen auditoriums, both featuring a massive wall-to-wall curved screens which are among the biggest in the country at over six stories wide and three stories tall. The superior performance of Christie projection technology fills the screens with bright and vibrant images and deep, saturated colour, while Christie Vive Audio ensures movie-goers a real-life audio experience in every seat of the house. Patron comfort is paramount, with all 12 auditoriums featuring electric reclining leather seats. The theatre's B&B Marquee Bar and Grille also offers a full bar and lounge where guests can enjoy food and cocktails before, during or after the movie, and take them into any of the 12 auditoriums. "The Wentzville Tower 12 is one of our most exciting theatres to date and is a great addition to the community," said Bob Bagby, president of B&B Theatres. "Sonic Equipment did an exceptional job of installation. Their ongoing technical service and maintenance
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provide us with the utmost in security. The selection of Christie projection and speaker technology ensures that our guests enjoy a stateof-the-art movie-viewing experience that is unlike any they've ever known before." "Sonic Equipment is committed to helping exhibitors of every size bring the magic of digital cinema to communities across America," said Ron Hageman, executive director at Sonic Equipment Company. "Christie's complete cinema solutions are our top choice for installations because their unmatched quality and reliability are essential to our reputation as a trusted source for exhibitors looking to build an entire theatre or upgrade their current facilities." "Bringing Christie Vive Audio to Missouri is the latest milestone for our cinema sound solutions, which are winning industry praise for their exceptional timbre matching, enhanced voice intelligibility, and low distortion," said Patrick Artiaga, director of business development, Audio Solutions, Christie. "We are proud that B&B Theatres selected the complete Christie cinema solution, from digital projection to sound technology, to help make B&B Theatres a top destination for entertainment." Christie Vive Audio provides a hyperaccurate audio experience and unlocks the full dynamic range of the DCI digital cinema audio and supports leading formats such as Auro 11.1, Dolby Atmos, 7.1 and 5.1 surround sound. The complete solution features screen channels, wall and ceiling surround speakers that use unique ribbon driver technology in a single-
enclosure line array design, purposebuilt for cinema environments. Christie Vive Audio system continues to establish its reputation worldwide as the next standard in immersive sound for cinema.
GDC Technology Awarded Longterm Agreement for Various Cinépolis' Latin American Digital Cinema Rollouts GDC Technology announced the deployment of its flagship product the SX-3000 Standalone Integrated Media Block (SX-3000 IMB) with Enterprise Series Storage - to Cinépolis, the largest cinema chain in Latin America and fourth-largest in the world. Founded in 1971, Mexican movie theatre circuit Cinépolis operates more than 4,388 screens in 13 countries. Its extensive footprint and the large scale of deployment under this long-term agreement which will cover various Latin American countries - called for a service provider that delivers postsales technical support of the highest calibre. Following a six-month-long testing period, Cinépolis awarded part of this agreement to GDC Technology. Dr Man-Nang Chong, founder, chairman and CEO of GDC Technology, said: "We are delighted to have been chosen by Cinépolis, for whom we have the utmost respect as a leader in Latin American exhibition. The award of this contract demonstrates once again how GDC Technology's professional technical support makes it the smart choice for top-tier exhibitors who do not tolerate service downtime. Last year, GDC Technology expanded its footprint in Latin America by setting up offices in Peru and Brazil. These local offices enable the company to provide emergency spare parts and customised support in the region, to the appreciation of local customers."
Cinema Park and Ymagis Install First Barco 4K Laser Projector in Russia Cinema Park, the leading nationwide multiplex chain in Russia, and Ymagis Group, the European specialist in digital technologies for the cinema industry, announced the completion of the installation of a Barco DP4K-60L 4K laser projection system at the Cinema Park Mega Khimki location in Moscow. The most powerful 4K laser projector to be installed in Russia to date now equips the Premium Large Format SUPER D, which boasts a 17.7-meter wide screen and a seating capacity of 376. "As a leading cinema chain in Russia, we are pleased to offer the audience a perfect image both in 2D and 3D formats with the highest light output in the world, as certified by the Guinness World Records book, and this marks the very first installation of the projection system technology in Eastern Europe," said Nadezhda Baimbetova, Head of Marketing for Cinema Park. "Together with global leaders in digital technologies, Ymagis Group/dcinex and Barco, we are introducing an innovative new technology that uses 40 per cent less power than xenon lamp versions. This is a technological breakthrough in our industry and an environmentallyfriendly solution." "Our cooperation with Russia's largest cinema exhibitor is a significant achievement to us and strengthens our business relationships in this market," explains Kirill Kuzmenko, General Director of dcinex/ Ymagis Group's Russian office. "Along with our partner Barco, we are delighted to equip Cinema Park with such technology designed specifically for Premium Large Format auditoriums. The Barco 4K-60L projection system with its 60,000 lumens is an ideal solution for big screen theatres and offers exceptional image quality, unmatched brightness in 3D with vivid contrast, realistic colour reproduction and the same image quality in the centre as at the edges of the screen." The Barco DP4K60L is the first DCI-compliant projector capable of showing 4K 2D content at
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60 fps and 4K 3D at 30 fps. Barco's flagship laser projectors are based on an intelligent projector concept that combines cost effectiveness and the unmatched Barco Alchemy technology.
Ballantyne Strong Announces Management Team Changes Ballantyne Strong, Inc, a holding company with diverse business activities focused on serving the cinema, retail, financial and government markets, announced that the Board of Directors has made a number of changes in the leadership of the company in order to streamline the organisation and expedite its evolution into several key growth segments. The changes announced include: Ray Boegner, a 30-year veteran with the company has been named to the newly-created role of President of the Cinema business. "Ray has knowledge of the cinema industry that is unmatched and has led the cinema sales efforts at Ballantyne Strong for the past 18 years," said Kyle Cerminara, Executive Chairman of Ballantyne Strong. "We're very excited for Ray to take on this expanded role as we continue to build upon our strong position in the cinema industry." Steve Schilling has been named President of the Digital Media business. Mr Schilling has been working with the Management team
and Board of Directors for the past several months to evaluate and recommend new strategies for the company's Digital Media business. Mr Schilling brings 20 years of experience and leadership in strategy development, business performance optimization and driving sales effectiveness. "Today's announcement represents the next step in the evolution of the business we began earlier in the year," said Kyle Cerminara, Executive Chairman, of Ballantyne Strong. "We have organised the business to intensify focus on key markets, streamline reporting lines, and provide flexibility to adjust the business within the key vertical markets on which we are focused." As a result of these changes, Christopher Stark's position as President of the Ballantyne Strong, Inc holding company has been eliminated. "I would like to thank Chris Stark for his many contributions to Ballantyne Strong," said Kyle. "Chris has served the company well despite operating in a very difficult environment in the past several years. We wish him well."
Major Piracy Sites Shut Down Pursuant to court orders in Canada and New Zealand, the "official" Popcorn Time fork and YTS, a BitTorrent site and release group that was the primary source of illegal movie content on Popcorn Time have been shut down, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) said. Together these illegal commercial enterprises enabled acts of copyright infringement worldwide on a massive scale. "Popcorn Time and YTS are illegal platforms that exist for one clear reason: to distribute stolen copies of the latest motion pictures and television shows without compensating the people who worked so hard to make them," said Senator Chris Dodd, Chairman
and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). "By shutting down these illegal commercial enterprises, which operate on a massive global scale, we are protecting not only our members' creative work and the hundreds of innovative, legal digital distribution platforms, but also the millions of people whose jobs depend on a vibrant motion picture and television industry." A lawsuit was filed by the six member companies of the MPAA on October 9 in the Federal Court in Canada against three key Canadian operators of the Popcorntime.io fork, claiming the defendants enabled, authorised and induced copyright infringement of motion pictures and television shows. Popcorntime.io, which its operators have dubbed the "official" Popcorn Time fork, had 1.5 million unique visitors in July 2015 alone, according to comScore - and once those visitors downloaded the app, they were able to illegally watch thousands of stolen motion pictures and television shows.
Christie is Recruiting to Meet Increased Production Demand Christie, a global leader in visual and audio technologies, announced it is hiring highly skilled technologists, engineers and technicians in order to meet a growing worldwide demand for its products and solutions. All positions require a college diploma and are located at Christie's Canadian headquarters for engineering and advanced manufacturing in Kitchener, Ontario. Technologists will be responsible for complex assembly and testing of projection systems in the Operations Manufacturing department while the distribution roles include a range of logistical responsibilities within the Operations team. The company is also hiring mechanical engineers to support laser design and production. "Joining the team at Christie lays the foundation for solid career growth," says Kelly Carnahan, senior manager, talent management, Christie. "We value our partnerships with local
colleges like Conestoga, and many graduates from these programs are now employees. We're excited to be hiring for advanced manufacturing positions and drawing from the skilled talent pool in the region that local colleges have helped create." At the forefront of projection technology development, Christie manufactures laser projectors including 3P and 6P RGB laser systems, for the brightest and best 3D visual experiences, and Christie GS series and Christie Captiva series laser phosphor projectors, which offer long life, minimal maintenance and low cost of operation.
• S P E C I A L F E AT U R E •
CinéBistro
The Luxury of Dine-in Cinema!
CinéBistro, a boutique luxury "dinner-and-amovie" concept created by Cobb Theatres, offers a pampering movie-going experience at Cary's Waverly Place, North Carolina, USA. "Movies with Taste" reads the tagline of the recently-launched luxury movie theatre-cum-restaurant concept CineBistro at Cary's Waverly Place, North Carolina, USA. Now film enthusiasts get to relish a fine dining experience as they enjoy watching their favourite films. Cobb Theatres, led by fourth generation exhibitor Robert Cobb, has created CinéBistro, a boutique dine-in cinema. The "dinner-and-a-movie" concept developed by Cobb Theatres offers a pampering movie-going experience with amenities such as reserved seating in cosy, over-sized leather seats, in-theatre, full-service dining and state-of-the art movie viewing including all-digital projection. Guests get to enjoy chef prepared American Bistro cuisine, fine wines and signature cocktails served in-theatre in an environment like no other. CinéBistro also features a
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contemporary yet comfortable bar and lounge with full menu offerings, perfect for gatherings before and after the show. The bar and lounge are also available to guests not watching a movie.
With a size of 35,000 square feet, CineBistro offers an intimate dinnerand-a-movie experience without the distractions and noise of a typical mall cinema. The theatre is the first one in North Carolina for Cobb
• S P E C I A L F E AT U R E • Theatres of Birmingham, Ala; they own seven more along the East Coast. The boutique luxury dine-in cinema has six screens, half with 3D capabilities. The auditoriums range in size from 45 seats up to 80. The cinema is strictly 21+ establishment for all shows beginning 6pm and later. Guests under 21 are permitted with a parent/guardian for shows beginning before 6pm. The menu caters particularly to adult tastes with an indoor/outdoor bar with a wide selection of wines, liquors and craft beers. The menu at CineBistro is designed using local, seasonal ingredients and will have daily specials from Executive Chef Jason Bianco. Some of the salivating delicacies include a filet mignon over butterscotch-carrot puree and pan-seared salmon, shrimp mac & cheese and the "popcorn trio" of fried chicken, shrimp and calamari. Moviegoers need to make seat reservations and arrive 30 minutes before the film starts so they can order their meals. While the connoisseurs relish their food, only soothing music plays over images of oceans and dolphins; there's no advertising on the screens. The food service stops once the movie starts so you can enjoy your film uninterrupted.
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• S P E C I A L F E AT U R E •
Mukta A2 Cinemas
Expanding its Horizon
Amidst major fanfare, Mukta A2 Cinemas is all set to unveil its six-screen property in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, in March 2016. With this launch, Mukta aims to serve Bahrainis with a superior and personalised cinema-going experience.
Visakhapatnam, Banswara, Sailu, Hyderabad, Sangli, Bhopal and Kundli .
Mukta A2 Cinemas is all set to explore the shores of the Middle East! The cinema chain is scheduled to launch its six-screen property in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, in March 2016 amidst major fanfare with the aim to serve Bahrainis with a superior and personalised cinemagoing experience.
The USP of Mukta A2 Cinema is providing multiplex experience at affordable prices. Through state-ofthe-art technology, modern projection systems, comfortable seating, a soothing ambiance, varied F&B options and multilingual film
One of India's most reputed and esteemed film banners, Mukta Arts Limited have been giving its audiences the best of on-screen entertainment for decades. With an endeavour to provide its patrons an affordable luxury cinematic experience, the company took a step further and created its own brand of multiplex, Mukta A2 Cinemas, which is spread across 33 screens and is one of the fastest growing multiplex chains in India. The cinema boasts of comfortable seating and state-of-theart technology in picture and sound, complimented by soothing ambiance
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and exciting variety of food and beverage (F&B) options. Mukta A2 Cinemas has a pan-India presence, catering to 12 cities currently: Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Baroda, Rajpipla, Gulbarga,
USP of Brand Mukta A2 Cinemas
• SPECIAL FEATURE • screening, Mukta A2 Cinemas upholds high standards of services made possible by its young and vibrant team of professionals, having a strong and dynamic background in the cinema exhibition industry.
New 6-Screen Property in Bahrain The soon-to-be-launched six-screen property by Mukta A2 Cinemas in the heart of the capital of Bahrain, Manama, is located at Juffair Mall in Juffair. Juffair is a neighbourhood that is home to many hotels, restaurants, apartments and villas. The area is the site of frenetic activity, with new apartment buildings and hotels constructed each year. Most of those who live in the area are established foreigners or upwardly mobile young Bahrainis. As of today, Juffair is considered to be the most happening location in Bahrain with a buzzing nightlife. Talking about the launch, Rahul Puri, MD, Mukta Arts says, "Bahrain is a wonderful market for us and we are so excited to launch in the Juffair Mall. Mukta A2 Cinemas is an exhibition company with a global outlook and an international vision. This step into the Middle East is just our first. Also, we are the first Indian cinema operator to build and operate a custom theatre outside of
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Comfortable cinema seating
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Latest digital projection systems
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Advanced 3D technology
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Superior service standards
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Interactive lobby activations
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Variety of concessionaries
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Popular outsourced F&B brands from Bahrain
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Creative marketing & promotional strategies
Other Expansion Plans India and we firmly believe that patrons will flock to a world-class theatre for an international level experience with some traditional Indian hospitality." Juffair Mall is the first organised retail space to service Juffair and the surrounding neighbourhoods with an interconnected 140 bedroom 5-Star Hotel and a host of major anchor brands.
Cutting-edge Cinema Space Mukta A2 Cinemas will combine cutting-edge technology in the cinema space with high service standards in order to create a unique cinematic experience for movie goers. •
6 Screens
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VIP seating
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Cutting-edge sound including Dolby Atmos
The company is targeting 56 domestic screens by the end of next year to expand its horizons. It is planning to open up in cities like Dehradun, Aurangabad, Gurgaon and Raipur to name a few. "Mukta A2 Cinemas is present vertically in the exhibition sector - be it single screen, 2 screens or a multiplex, we have a strong foothold in all spaces. We not only have our presence in metro cities like Mumbai but also are very well rooted in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities like Ahmedabad or Kundli as well. The experience we offer is unmatched and we aim to maintain a high level of service across all our cinemas. We have our future plans in place and would be conquering a few more cities by the end of next year. Surely exciting times ahead," assures COO of Mukta A2 Cinemas, Satwik Lele.
* The images used in this article are not of Bahrain project and is just for graphical representation. Final project images and the detailed story will be published in the upcoming coming TheatreWorld issue.
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City Cinema
Makes a Grand Opening in the Sultanate Redefining the most classic and evergreen form of entertainment, City Cinema recently opened their 9th location in the Sultanate at the iconic Panorama Mall, Muscat Oasis. Raghavendra T, Editor-Publisher, TheatreWorld, visited the property to give you a sneak preview of the cinema. City Cinema recently opened their 9th location in the Sultanate at the iconic Panorama Mall, Muscat Oasis. The 5 screens in this location are all ready to enthrall the viewers, taking them to whole new level of entertainment. With this, a new milestone is reached i.e. of 30 movie screens from City Cinema.
Oman's Very First MX4D Experience On par with technological advancements around the globe, City Cinema makes the virtual world as vivid and close to reality as the real world. Adding more drama, action and fun, it completely revolutionizes the concept of movie-watching. As pioneers, City Cinema has brought to Oman the very first MX4D experience. MX4D technology has built-in motion and effects like - air blast, water blast, seat popper, winds and strobes in the seats. Every seat comes equipped with all these
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• INSTALLS • features and brings the immersive experience to audience. Incorporating the latest developments in the field of theatrical excellence, City Cinema promises to make the usual 'going to the movies' an experience in itself. MX4D Motion EFX Theatre, the newest evolution in the 4D cinema experience, provides a totally immersive environment, where viewers can actually 'feel' the action on the screen from the built-in motion and effects through the seats and theatre around. The MX4D theatre seats move in sync with the movie's action and responding to special EFX generators in the cinema, allowing the audience to 'feel' the movie's motion, jolts, pokes, wind, water and even scents. For those that crave for the adrenalin rush, MX4D theatre experience suits the purpose perfectly with seats that roll and tilt in heart-pounding car chases and sends shivers down the spine in intense sea-faring scenes with fog, wind and even the scent of ocean air. "MX4D is the future of cinema; and we are proud to be the ones to do a maiden introduction for our audience in Oman," Neha Singh, Business Operations Manager "From the time City Cinema established itself in the Oman market, our mission has been to bring entertainment to the masses. Our future plans of opening at other key venues are already underway and we are certain that they will be wellreceived by our audience. Our newest location at Panorama, had been decided after carefully analyzing our customer's preferences, keeping in mind factors like accessibility, parking and even alternate areas of interest in the vicinity."
Aqeel Jawad Sultan Group Chairman
Along with the MX4D theatres, City Cinema in Panorama is also home to the finest VIP Lounge. The VIP lounge serves the elite and those enthusiastic about a more exclusive treatment whilst watching their movies in cozy and comfortable environs. City Cinema's VIP Lounge places a keen eye on the most intricate details of comfort, ambience and service. November-December 2015
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Jawad Sultan Group
Pioneers of Cinema in Oman
Oman Arab Cinema Company LLC belongs to the Jawad Sultan Group of Companies. The promoter of the group was [Late] Jawad A Sultan, whose business history is more than 6 decades in the Sultanate. It all began way back in late 50s, when Jawad Sultan would invite his friends and relatives to watch Hindi movies on 16 mm projectorat his home. When 35 mm projectors came into the market in late 60s, Jawad approached the Indian embassy for films;here he was advised to get in touch with a cinema company in Bahrain. The company in turn convinced him to open a cinema in Muscat. On April 18, 1971, Jawad Sultan set up their first cinema, Ruwi Cinema in Muscat, in a locality that had no electricity let alone other amenities! The first film featured by the open-air theatre was the 1969 Hindi blockbuster Do Raaste, starring superstar Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz. For 50 consecutive days, 50 films were showcased; one film each day!
In 1974, they established their first air-conditioned cinema called Oman Plaza. Today the company's footprint is visible not only in the capital city Muscat but also in fast growing cities such as Salalah and Sohar. Upholding Jawad Sultan's passion for cinema is his son Aqeel Sultan. As he returned to his homeland after completing his higher education in London, it was only but natural that Aqeel would take forward the cinema business. Having travelled the US and Europe, the first thought that came to his mind was to start a multiplex. It took years to materialize this dream into reality. In 2000, he established the first multiplex by the Group in Oman i.e. City Cinema Shatti. Re-branding and creating a new identity for all cinemas under
The operations after a while were established in the interior of Ruwi with the objective of expansion. Thus was born the legendary Al Nasr (single largest cinema Auditorium even as of today), now known as City Cinema Ruwi.
Board of Directors (L-R): Aqeel Jawad Sultan- Group Chairman, Nabeel Jawad Sultan- Group Managing Director, Sabah Jawad Sultan- Director, Muneer Jawad Sultan- Director and Haider Jawad Sultan-Director
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[Late] Jawad Abdul Redha Sultan Founder
the name and style City Cinema, there were four locations viz. CC Shatti, CC Ruwi, CC Sohar and CC Sur. There was no looking back thereafter. Two additional City Cinema locations became operational during 2012 i.e. City Cinema MGM at the Muscat Grand Mall, in Bowshar and City Cinema, Buraimi in the Lulu Hypermarket Premises in Buraimi. At present, the Group operates at nine locations with 30 screens and has some interesting expansion and renovation projects in the offing.
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GM Speaks
Designed by architect Eranna Yekbote the unique state-of-the-art VIP Lounge and MX4D theatres up and running, City Cinema's creative masterminds are ready to conjure an unforgettable experience inculcating in the masses a new love for the cinemas as never before.
Single Largest Cinema Chain City Cinema, operated by Oman Arab Cinema Co LLC, is the single largest motion picture exhibitor chain in Oman. Established in 1971, Oman Arab Cinema Co. LLC was the first to set up the film exhibition business in Oman. The company specialized in operating a traditional format cinema for over 40 years. The company operates its cinemas under the brand name City Cinema from different locations viz. Muscat, Salalah, Sohar, Sur, Buraimi. For the first time, a 4D cinema has been introduced in the country. All the cinema locations are 100 per cent digitized and the latest movies from Hollywood, Bollywood and the Arabic films are screened for the patrons. The complexes of City Cinema have gained stature and popularity over the years and are much sought after by patrons and advertisers for various promotions and events. During 2016, the company hopes to add a prestigious location in Muscat comprising 10 screens where amongst others there will be dual VIP cinemas and a large screen format cinema and regular screens.
Neha Singh Arora Business Operations Manager Oman Arab Cinema Company
P Chandrashekhar Group General Manager Jawad Sultan Group
City Cinema has crossed yet another milestone with the opening of our cinemas in Panorama Mall. Our company has been present in entertainment business for over 40 years in the Sultanate. With this new location, our presence in the Sultanate exists in 9 locations and the total number of screens in all these locations aggregate to 30. All this would not have been possible but for the benevolent regime of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. City Cinema, Panorama was conceived with two novelty offerings for the first time in Sultanate i.e. introduction of 4D cinema, a cutting edge technology, which will transport the cinema
viewer to a real time experience, what is popularly known as Immersive Experience. This technology has been sourced from USA and is the most contemporary. Second important feature is bringing a whole new experience in luxury. That is the introduction of a VIP cinema with an attached lounge akin to the comfort enjoyed in Airline lounges. Not only were the seats picked up with great attention to our requirements but also, the loungehas been created keeping in mind the preferences of our discerning clientele. This, we are sure, will be a brand new experience for our audience. With 5 screens, the total capacity of all the cinemas is over 540 seats.
Chandrashekhar with his cinema team during the inauguration
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VOX at Mall of the Emirates
The Entertainment Flagship The new VOX Cinemas becomes the entertainment centrepiece of the multistage redevelopment project Evolution 2015, a milestone of Majid Al Futtaim's retail destination Mall of the Emirates. As Majid Al Futtaim celebrates a new era of retail and entertainment with the completion of Mall of the Emirates expansion, the new VOX Cinemas becomes the entertainment centrepiece of its multi-stage redevelopment project Evolution 2015. A 100,000 sqft entertainment
destination with a completely revamped 24-screen VOX Cinemas, Evolution 2015 makes the Mall of the Emirates the largest complex in the Middle East featuring advanced technologies such as: the first and only IMAX with Laser screen in the Middle East; the largest VOX 4DX
auditorium; the world's first of its kind luxury cinema experience called THEATRE by Rhodes, combining fine food and film in a collaboration with Michelin Star Chef, Gary Rhodes; and two VOX Kids, colourful cinemas with an adjoining fun-filled party room for birthday parties. New restaurant venues flanking the VOX Cinemas entry include Dean & Deluca, 800 Degrees, Eat Greek Kouzina, and Din Tai Fung, flooded with natural light from an innovative design feature that simulates al fresco dining in air-conditioned comfort.
Gary Rhodes, Michelin Star Chef
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"In 2014, VOX opened our VOX Yas Mall (20 screen) cinema in Abu Dhabi and 17 screens in Oman, with all locations exceeding our expectations, and meaning that we started 2015 with 129 screens across the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Lebanon. 2015 has seen record breaking attendance due to the fantastic slate of movies, and this has
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Evolution 2015 The AED 1 Billion Multi-stage Redevelopment Journey of
Mall of the Emirates been bolstered in the UAE by our recent openings at VOX Burjuman (14 screens) in Dubai and VOX Nation Galleria (11 screens) in Abu Dhabi. These openings helped VOX celebrate our 15 year anniversary in April, when we welcomed our 50 millionth guest," says Cameron Mitchell, CEO - VOX Cinemas, Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas LLC. "After successfully taking over the management of the Mercato Mall (7 screens) in 2013, we were pleased to announce at the end of August, that VOX was taking over the operation of the Hyatt Cineplex (12 screens) in Dubai. The cinema will soon undergo a renovation to add many of our popular branded cinema concepts. During the remainder of 2015 and into 2016, VOX will launch new cinemas at City Centre Shindaga (7 screens) & City Centre Sharjah (12 screens) in the UAE, and complete extensions and upgrades of City Centre's Deira (20 screens), Ajman (11 screens), Mirdif (20 screens), Muscat (13 screens), & Beirut (15 screens) along with the development of our first cinema in Egypt in Majid Al Futtaim's Mall of Egypt (21 screens), whilst also launching in Qatar at Doha Festival City (19 screens). In 2017, we will open a cinema in Nakheel's The Palm Jumeirah Mall (15 screens), as well as open within Palm Mall Oman (14 screens), ending 2017 with over 310 screens in 7 countries, a six fold increase in our screen count in under four years," he informs. In April, VOX announced a deal with IMAX to bring three of their screens to the Middle East, with the first being their IMAX with Laser system, recently installed at Mall Of The
Developed and owned by Majid Al Futtaim Properties, Mall of the Emirates is a shopping mall in Dubai that's a retail celebration of its kind. Design innovation enabled Majid Al Futtaim to create a whole new level as part of its Evolution 2015 AED 1 billion multi-stage redevelopment journey. It creates an entirely new customer experience with zero service interruption within one of the world's most successful retail destinations. The new area - the size of which is the equivalent of about nine acres or eight professional football fields -- offers space for a total of 40 retail outlets including more than 20 fashion retailers, some of which are entering the region for the first time, and 12 dining outlets all on the new third floor of the mall. Of the new retail and dining options, Majid Al Futtaim's fashion business has introduced key brands entering the Middle East's retail landscape via Mall of the Emirates' Evolution 2015. These include premium British fashion house, AllSaints; yoga-inspired athletic apparel brand, lululemon athletica; and later this year, leading US specialty retailer, Abercrombie & Fitch. Other brands also debuting in the region include Seafolly and Omnia Baharat. They will be joined with new flagship stores from Majid Al Futtaim's existing fashion brands, Juicy Couture and Jane Norman. "The delivery of Mall of the Emirates' Evolution 2015 is the latest milestone in Majid Al Futtaim's culture and legacy of innovation in response to changing customer needs. Our focus on premium quality of design, on the retail mix of luxury and dynamic new brands for our customers, on unique dining and entertainment experiences, and on convenience and accessibility, demonstrate Mall of the Emirates' enduring status as the destination of choice for both residents and tourists," said Michael Cesarz, Chief Executive Officer of Shopping Malls at Majid Al Futtaim Properties. Further enhancing accessibility and choice at Mall of the Emirates include the new luxurious valet parking experience, located adjacent to the Fashion Dome and Central Galleria, home to the regional flagships of brands including Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Prada, Salvadore Ferragamo, and Tom Ford. The Evolution 2015 initiative has also added 1,300 shaded parking spaces with a dedicated entrance. A new taxi arrival facility next to Ski Dubai complements the mall's direct link to Dubai Metro, delivering opportunity for growth in Mall of the Emirates' footfall. The completion of Evolution 2015 is the latest milestone in Mall of the Emirate's 10-year anniversary, which celebrates a decade of innovation in retail, entertainment and hospitality as the Middle East's first shopping resort destination.
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Emirates. This was the first Laser system in the Middle East, and only the seventh IMAX with Laser system in the world. "Another exciting partnership we signed this year is with the celebrity and Michelin Star Chef Gary Rhodes OBE to form a new luxury cinema dining concept called 'VOX THEATRE by Rhodes' which combines two of life's great passions - film and fine dining. This great VIP offering rounded off our suite of concepts, on the back of the huge success of our 4DX brand, which VOX is also rolling out across the region. All of the above brands along with a Kid's themed cinema and party room has just been launched under one roof in our new flagship cinema at Mall of the Emirates (24 screens). Majid Al Futtaim's iconic mall celebrated its 10 year anniversary in September, and revealed a new extension along with 1300 new car park spaces. VOX Mall Of The Emirates heralds a new era for VOX in
innovation and unparalleled cinema experiences with large expansive digitally enabled foyer screens and new concepts allowing customers to watch movies in various experiences all under one roof - on the impressive IMAX with Laser screen, in the absolute 4DX experience, or in the superior luxury of THEATRE by Rhodes, and even our littlest customers are catered for in our dedicated VOX Kids cinemas & party room, all complemented by our standard and VIP cinemas," he informs. On the Distribution front, VOX Distribution has generated box office
of over AED 30 million since inception last year. They are in discussions with partners that will see VOX expand the number of releases in 2016 and extend the territory within which we operate. The coming few years will see VOX continue to open new cinemas, renovate existing cinemas, launch new concepts, invest and innovate in our service and training, whilst rolling out enhanced e commerce platforms. "Given our current expansion plans, we expect to reach our 100 millionth guest by 2018 supported by our announcement in May that we will invest 1 billion dirhams ($270 million) over the next four years on cinema expansion across our core market. With this significant investment, comes an even greater focus on ensuring that our company maximizes the return it is generating from the investment that we are all making in this great industry. Our owner has cemented his vision for his businesses to focus on 'creating great moments for everyone, every day', and with your continued support we are confident that together we will meet this vision. I have attached a few of the press articles and photos from our recent Mall Of The Emirates opening. We are incredibly proud to have created a really unique cinema offering, and we will work closely with your teams to ensure that the MENA region continues to develop until it can reach its full potential," says Cameron Mitchell.
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Westgate Cineplex
Another Mega Cineplex by Major! Bringing world-class entertainment to cinema enthusiasts of Thailand and Cambodia, Major Cineplex group now ventures west of Bangkok by opening the state-of-the-art Cineplex at the megastore Westgate Cineplex, near Bang Yai. The largest operator of movie theatres in Thailand, Major Cineplex group has been growing by leaps and bounds under the leadership of its Chairman Vicha Poolvaraluk. The group has been bringing world-class entertainment to cinema enthusiasts in the country with over 500 screens! The theatre chain expanded beyond Thailand with the launch of its first Cineplex in Phnom
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Penh, Cambodia early this year. And now, Major Cineplex group ventures west of Bangkok by opening a worldclass Cineplex at the megastore Westgate Cineplex, near Bang Yai in August 2015. “Major Cineplex has added a new 12-screen cinema at Central Westgate shopping center, bringing our total
to 575 screens, now open in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Major has 89 different cinema complexes and ‘different’ is the keyword. Major is one of the most successful cinema operators in the world as we continually try new designs, concepts and mixes of equipment. We believe innovation is one of the keys to our business and
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Jim Patterson Director of Business Development Major Cineplex
Westgate Cineplex is no exception,” informs Jim Patterson, Director of Business Development, Major Cineplex. The Cineplex is built with a budget of 400 million baht and is located on the 4th and 5th floors of the store. With about 8,920 sqm in size, it is
branded as a Full Format cinema. The Cineplex is designed to suit the needs of families residing in and around Bang Yai as they are the target audience. The Cineplex is fitted with 12 high-end digital cinemas, including digital 3D cinema with the latest 3D system called QLI. With 32 signal transmitter, QLI system
delivers a unique immersive experience. The 4DX and IMAX cinema will give the audiences a taste of state-of-the-art technology in Thailand. The overall capacity of the Cineplex is 2,331. “Westgate Cineplex is located on the edge of Bangkok in a developing, family oriented area. So we are offering some of the best of our products such as another large IMAX theatre and another 4DX theatre, bringing such top-end
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• INSTALLS • entertainment experiences close to families that previously had to travel far to enjoy such world-class cinemas,” says Patterson. The Cineplex comprises two Kid Cinemas, built especially for children. “We have also opened our first cinema catering to children with brightly-colored seats, a playground in front, children-themed restrooms and films that cater to families. We have also introduced for the first time a QLI sound system that provides 32 channels of sound for every film, not just remastered films. This is far more immersive that regular sound and is even referred to as ‘3D Sound’,” informs Patterson. At present, Major Cineplex Group is operating at 86 branches and 575 cinemas. In Thailand, the group operates with 84 branches with 563 cinemas. Thirty branches are located in Bangkok and 54 branches in 37 other cities in Thailand. Two branches with 12 cinemas are situated in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Vientiane, Laos. “Major is targeting to have 1,000 screens open by the end of the decade and will continue to bring the best in cinema experiences while bringing new ideas and cinema systems at the same time. We do not copy others or even ourselves, we try to outdo ourselves,” asserts Patterson.
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CGV Starium Goes Laser CGV, a subsidiary of CJ Group and South Korea's largest multiplex cinema chain, has installed its ground-breaking Christie's 6-Primary (6P) laser projection system in CGV Starium, which houses one of the largest screens in the world. This makes CGV the first cinema chain in South Korea to deploy Christie's pinnacle cinematic projection technology. CGV, a subsidiary of CJ Group and South Korea's largest multiplex cinema chain, has installed its ground-breaking Christie's 6-Primary (6P) laser projection system in CGV Starium, which houses one of the largest screens in the world. Located in the sprawling Times Square shopping mall in Seoul's Yeongdeungpo district, CGV Starium is a deluxe 545-seat auditorium equipped with a giant screen that measures 32 meters in width making it an ideal venue for installing the Christie CP42LH high frame rate 3DLP 4K RGB laser projector, which provide an ultrabright and colourful platform for huge screen theatres. This makes CGV the first cinema chain in South Korea to deploy Christie's pinnacle cinematic projection technology.
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"We are very proud and excited to install Christie's top-of-the-range CP42LH laser projection system in CGV Starium, which makes us the first cinema chain in South Korea to offer audiences an unrivalled 3D visual experience which, in my opinion, is the future of cinema presentation," said Nochan Park, senior manager, Cinema Technology Team, CGV. "The moment we saw the amazing 3D visuals projected by the CP42LH, we knew this is what we have been looking for all along - highbrightness and natural 3D that further pushes the capability of high quality visuals to new heights. Over the last two decades, CGV has been fully committed in providing patrons with the best cinematic experience, and the decision to select the latest technologies from Christie reinforces
our pledge to be the cinema chain of choice for movie-goers." The upgrade will replace CGV Starium's existing Christie 4K dual xenon system with a state-of-the-art pair of Christie 4K laser projection heads, a 6P modular laser light farm with fibre-optic delivery, Christie 4K 3D high-bitrate server, and a new premium white screen. This particular system is designed to achieve over 14-foot lamberts onscreen in 3D and an astounding light output of 108,000 lumens, far exceeding any 'ultra-bright' industry standards. The CP42LH has been officially commissioned and commences regular movie screenings from today. Henry Khang, General Manager, Christie Korea, commented, "Our non-flashing 6P architecture is by far the most light-efficient 3D technology
• INSTALLS • on the market, providing incredible brightness, enhanced colour gamut and a remarkable contrast ratio. We are very pleased that CGV has selected Christie for its next-generation cinema projection technology and are confident that this installation at CGV Starium will deliver an unmatched cinematic presentation to moviegoers. The unique system design and configuration of this laser projection system will further distinguish CGV Starium as one of Asia's most premier cinema venues." "We're delighted and honoured that CGV has acknowledged the superiority and brilliance of Christie's revolutionary 6P laser projection system," said Lin Yu, vice president, Christie Asia Pacific. "Compared to conventional 3D systems found in cinemas around the world today, our system is able to exhibit vastly improved 3D light levels, colour fidelity, image uniformity, viewing comfort, and a sense of immersion. This is the future of 3D cinema projection, and is expected to be a key element in boosting 3D box office revenues around the world."
Anchored by the Christie Freedom laser illumination system, the CP42LH produces a colour gamut that exceeds the DCI P3 colour and replicates the Rec. 2020 space, making it the most advanced RGB laser cinema projection system available. It consists of rackmounted laser modules where each module can produce up to 5,000 lumens of white light. Because of the scalability of this platform, up to 12 laser modules can be easily added, removed, activated or disabled depending on the brightness requirements. This provides up to 60,000 lumens per rack. Each laser module is also independently cooled, providing built-in fault protection, improved efficiency and ultimate reliability. Since its rollout last year, a number of cinema chains around the world
have chosen Christie's 6P laser projection system as their preferred choice for a superior 3D cinema experience. Theatre chains equipped with Christie laser projection technology include Seattle Cinerama and Moody Gardens in North America and in Asia, the iconic Shanghai Film Art Center in China are the first ones to be fitted with the CP42LH. Christie's 6P laser technology has also been endorsed by Dolby as a foundation technology for Dolby Cinema, a branded premium cinema offering for exhibitors and moviegoers that delivers the best cinema experience ever. So far, the famous El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood as well as AMC Theatres in Burbank, Atlanta, Houston and Kansas City across the United States are delivering this total premium cinema experience, while JT Bioscopen in Eindhoven and Hilversum in the Netherlands, and Cineplexx Linz in Austria have also commenced screenings using Dolby Vision, the visual aspect of Dolby Cinema, which is anchored by Christie laser projection.
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Michael's Green Paper Michael Karagosian speaks about the motion picture industry's transition to digital cinema, the most significant transition in motion pictures since the introduction of sound. In this issue, he speaks on Deciding Next Gen Cinema Technology and Managing Standards.
Deciding Next Gen Cinema If complacency is not the friend of business, then digital technology must be its bane. Exhibitors are pitched upgrades that deliver higher frame rates, higher luminance, wide color gamut, and immersive sound, little of which provides a clear path to monetization. Rather than shell new capabilities out in bits and pieces, one might think it better to bottle them up and ship all at once. If such an ideal were to be possible, what would this next gen cinema consist of? The surprising answer would be nothing that's available today. With all of the talk of laser illuminators, 4K resolution and high frame rate projectors, what cinematographers want to see requires improvement in other areas, including higher dynamic range, significantly improved contrast, and higher bit rate images. High dynamic range (HDR) in cinemas is only now being explored, and the technology that will drive affordable projectors in this area has yet to emerge. There are two components of HDR to be considered: the peak image brightness useful for telling stories, and the practical image contrast that can be experienced in an auditorium. Dolby Cinema has settled on peak image brightness that is twice that of standard dynamic range cinema, for example. There is some convenience to this number in that it is difficult to go beyond it with even the best of current projection technology.
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From a recent round of papers given this month at the SMPTE conference in Los Angeles by RealD and Barco, the average image brightness of real movies is in the range of 5-7% of standard peak luminance (48 nits or 14 ft-L). If the ratio of average to peak in standard cinema is in the 10 to 20 range, then will a ratio of 20 to 40 provide significant improvement in value to the audience? If not, where is the sweet spot? This is an area where there is more to learn. Image contrast is affected by both environmental and performance factors. DLP Cinema projectors are touted to deliver 2000:1 sequential contrast ratio, but actual measurements of sequential contrast in a cinema will deliver lower numbers. In his SMPTE paper, Miller Schuck, Chief Scientist of Optical Systems at RealD, defines system contrast as a function of that of the projector, the room, and veiling contrast introduced by system optics. His research indicates that system contrast in cinemas has a ceiling of 10,000:1 to 20,000:1, after which further improvement in contributing factors cease to improve the final result. This is an important step towards determining design goals in next generation projectors. It's also useful in understanding current highend projectors, namely those from Dolby and IMAX. Dolby claims contrast of 1,000,000:1, while IMAX claims contrast up to 8000:1. Perhaps the difference isn't as great as it sounds. Technologies that bring high contrast to market at affordable prices have yet to emerge.
Compression bit rate may well be the least appreciated factor in image quality. Compression bit rate is inversely proportional to the compression rate applied to the image. Present day media blocks are limited to 500-700 Mbps, which is more than the 250 Mbps required of DCI, but not enough for preserving quality in 4K 3D and high frame rate images. A definitive study towards determining a new bit rate ceiling for next gen content has yet to take place. However, interest in this area is stirring, and evaluation testing could take place 1st or 2nd quarter next year. Missing from this discussion is wide color gamut (WCG). WCG is an important topic in home entertainment, where the HD Rec 709 standard defines a smaller color gamut than the DCI P3 minimum required of digital cinema, and an improvement is needed. The new standard for home entertainment, Rec 2020, defines a container color gamut that is larger than DCI P3 minimum, but still smaller than the XYZ container defined for digital cinema. In addition, DCI P3 is quite good, and not expected to be demonstrably insufficient when compared to Rec 2020. While study in this area will be useful, it is expected that the factors outlined above will deliver higher value to audiences. News that next gen cinema has more work to take place before entering the market may not be what
• TECHNOLOGY • cinematographers want to hear. After all, next gen motion picture cameras are now on the market that can deliver all of the above today. The fact that source material can now be delivered with characteristics that go beyond today's cinema is fuel for engaging in studies that determine a new set of performance targets.
It's tricky business, however, to establish a new set of performance targets. Who will be the voice? If it's DCI, then the targets will be associated with Hollywood studios, which have no intention to fund a transition to next gen cinema technology. The purpose of setting new targets is to educate the exhibitor as to what to buy, and to
provide meaningful parameters to filmmakers who like to push limits. If the emergence of next gen features takes place organically and somewhat chaotically, then the burden will be on distribution to fulfill the chaotic requests, an inefficient undertaking. Better to provide some structure to this. May the testing begin.
adoption of the technology was conducted, particularly in light that a parallel version of DCP was already in use that was not compatible. With no adoption plan in place, six years later the industry continues to spend gobs of man-hours trying to bring SMPTE DCP into wide scale use. The real shame is that further developments in DCP-related technology is hinged to the SMPTE version of DCP, continuing the cycle of spending more man-hours of development time on technologies that may never be widely used.
The work of a sister organization should not stop with the generation of a feasibility study. Technology rollout plans are needed if a standard is to be successful, and this takes substantial planning to be successful. The infamous success of Interop DCP, for example, was greatly assisted by the creation of open code libraries that could be employed in actual products. A group was also formed by which developers could exchange actual DCPs to learn if others could read what they produced. The successful adoption of the off-screen caption protocols developed in SMPTE was greatly assisted by the sharing of test tools and test boxes among developers, as well as content support driven by end users. These activities do not "just happen." They require substantial planning, support, and coordination. But without these efforts, we simply end up with more technologies destined to match the success rate of SMPTE DCP.
Managing Standards For over two years, studios have sought a single immersive sound distribution standard. The man-hours spent in standards committees in pursuit of this dream are surely worth more than any box office generated by immersive sound. The fruits of this effort, however, have started to bloom. Or possibly wither. It was determined this month that the best path forward for immersive sound in cinema is to develop an independent bit stream. Independent, that is, from that now in use by Barco, Dolby, and DTS. In other words, a fourth method will be developed that will be available to all companies for use in their products. Of the three companies mentioned, only one has shown willingness to adopt the technology of another developer. This fact could have been learned several years ago, had anyone asked. If there was belief that a standards committee could alter the disposition of public companies, one might hope that this lesson has been learned. No amount of enthusiasm from non-invested participants is sufficient to force competitors into sharing technology that they consider strategic. This is particularly true in cinema, where ROI's tend to be realized in downstream media. But there's certainly no reason to limit this discussion to immersive sound. The classic example of a misguided standards effort is SMPTE DCP. SMPTE DCP was developed with the assumption that adoption would simply follow. No feasibility study for
A better mechanism for approving standards work is needed, particularly in cinema. Some standards organizations have been known to conduct feasibility studies before engaging in standards activity, but this can be difficult to arrange from a legal perspective. It would be better for a sister organization, having a separate charter, to take on such activity. The sister organization would simply conduct a feasibility study to determine if a proposed effort has a reasonable chance of success. Similarly, the sister organization could also investigate appropriate solutions to a problem, and from there produce a study that advises the best path forward in terms of a standard. Such input could not exclusively come from the sister organization, and other feasibility studies could also result. The standards organization would then consider the feasibility studies when determining to take on the new standards project.
The good news is that SMPTE recently "merged" with the Hollywood Post Alliance (HPA), a trade organization based in, you guessed it, Hollywood. I put quotes around "merged" as that's the word used in the press release, but by nature of its trade organization status, HPA will remain separate from SMPTE in everything but management personnel. HPA would make a great home for future feasibility studies of proposed standards activities and technology rollout planning.
(The author Michael Karagosian is President of MKPE Consulting LLC, consultancy for business development of new technologies in cinema, and publisher of mkpe Report) November-December 2015
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REVIEW
12 - 15 October 2015 Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood, Florida, USA
With a host of enthusiastic exhibitors, back to back meetings, several networking opportunities, and a number of exciting fun events, ShowEast 2015 was yet another great show in the bag. Set against a picturesque backdrop, ShowEast 2015 was a special expo and convention that brought people from the industry together to celebrate cinema. With immense networking opportunities, dedicated social areas, fun-filled events, including the opening night reception, lunch and breakfast on the floor, ShowEast has always been more than a tradeshow. It is in fact one of the movie industry's biggest networking events! As box office revenue continues to climb, theatres are seeking
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November-December 2015
ways to keep patrons coming back for more. Major circuits and independent theatres are constantly on the lookout for the next big thing to make their venues must-attend destinations with new trends,
technology, concession products, marketing ideas, and in-theatre experiences. ShowEast 2015 was the perfect place to do business with the growing US and Latin American cinema exhibition and
distribution markets to grow one's bottom line. The attendees' profile included: cinema owners/ operators, cinema managers, cinema marketing executives, cinema operations executives, concessions purchasers, equipment purchasers, film buyers/bookers, film distributors, film producers & filmmakers and marketing/media professionals. EXPO (October 12-14) offered networking events on the EXPO floor and meeting rooms and suites to conduct one-on-one business at your convenience. Exclusive hours on the EXPO floor ensured less overlap, which meant convention attendees can take advantage of more dedicated time to visit the EXPO. One also got the opportunity to craft an EXPO package to meet one's needs, objectives, and budget. Convention (October 12-15) included educational seminars, Hollywood film screenings, product presentations, International Day for the Latin American market, and the Final Night Banquet and Awards ceremony hosted by Coca-Cola.
HIGHLIGHTS International Distribution and Marketing Presentations by the following among others: •
Warner Bros. Pictures International
Social Media and Marketing Engaging Patrons to Come to the Movies Redefining Marketing in Your Digital Lobby International Roundtable - The Americas Opening Night Reception & Screenings Variety The Children's Charity Presentation Spotlight on EXPO 2015
International Awards Luncheon Rentrak's Latin American Box Office Achievement Award Universal Pictures International's FURIOUS 7 International Exhibitor of the Year - Mark Walukevich, National Amusements International Distributor of the Year - Pedro Rodriguez, President & CEO, IDC (International Distribution Company, LLC)
ShowEast Product Showcase
International Star of the Year Martha Higareda
Networking Brunch
Awards Presented
Poolside Italian Dinner Reception
Bingham Ray Spirit Award - Ted Mundorff, Landmark Theatres Al Shapiro Distinguished Service Award - Mark Christiansen, Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures International
Salah M. Hassanein Humanitarian Award - Charley Moss, Bow Tie Cinemas
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Universal Pictures International
Show "E" Award - Marcus Theatres
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20th Century Fox International
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November-December 2015
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REVIEW
11 - 15 October 2015 Jupiters Hotel & Casino, Queensland, Australia The 70th Australian International Movie Convention (AIMC) held at Jupiters' Hotel and Casino on Queensland's Gold Coast hosted almost 1,000 Delegates from all over the globe in mid-October 2015. The Convention showcased seven feature films and a multitude of upcoming trailers and product from the six major and 12 independent distributors. Delegates were treated to screenings of The Dressmaker, Bridge of Spies, The Man Who Knew Infinity and Trumbo just to name a few. AIMC 2015 also welcomed some of Australia's best-known filmmakers and stars: •
•
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Jocelyn Moorhouse (Director) and Sue Maslin (Producer) introduced their latest film The Dressmaker David Wenham shared a first look at the upcoming
November-December 2015
Transmission release Lion based on the true story of Saroo Brierley who also attended the session •
Jeremy Sims (Director) discussed the success of Last Cab To Darwin with Alaric McAusland
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Anthony LaPaglia attended as a special guest of the Australian Independent Distributors Association
The "Inspire" series of panel discussions featured: Putting Bums on Seats - Kirk Edwards - Chief Executive Officer, Village Cinemas Australia led a panel
discussion of eminent industry leaders on the future of marketing trends and mediums, with a robust discussion on how distributors are working within an ever-changing landscape. Trends In Entertainment Centre Design - The Future of Cinema Is Here- David Seargeant - Group Managing Director, Amalgamated Holdings Limited highlighted the direction being taken both in Australia and overseas in creating entertainment precincts. Box Office- Damian Keogh Chief Executive Officer, Hoyts Group discussed global box office trends with international studio executivesand the impact of the booming Chinese box office. Keynote and Guest Presenters included: Jo Bladen - General ManagerStudios, The Walt Disney Company Australia and New
World took top honours as the Coca-Cola Gold Award for the Highest Grossing Film which was announced during the Gala Wrap. The AIDA Dinner and Awards Ceremony was held on 13 October. MC and AIDA President, Robert Slaviero, introduced delegates to the various member companies of AIDA. Besides cinemas,it was the veteran film distributorFrank Cox who bagged the Independent Spirit Award. Gala Convention Wrap Party featured the presentation of three industry awards: Zealand provided insights from important research into what drives Millennials and how we can influence the decisions of these important consumers. Livia McKenzie - Marketing Manager, Coca-Cola Trade Mark provided an insight into how the Coca-Cola icon is creating pop culture through experiences.
by Intencity and Zax Amusements offered light relief as delegates challenged their skills and peers. Industry Achievement Awards: The Rentrak Highest Grossing Box Office Awards for the year September 2014-August 2015 were acknowledged during dinner on 12 October. Universal Pictures' Jurassic
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Murray Forrest Award for Achievement in Film Craft to George Miller AO
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Lifetime Achievement Award to Russell Anderson
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Australian Star of the Year Award to Joel Edgerton
Brandon Choi - Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, CJ 4DPLEX talked about the general platform of the 4DX system and how the business model is being tailored to the Australian market. Denys Lavigne - Senior Director, Christie THREE SIXTY demonstrated how experiential digital signage is creating value for exhibitors. Trade Show: The expanded Trade Show with many new suppliers provided business opportunities as exhibitors met with delegates interested in expanding, refurbishing, converting or upgrading cinemas and equipment. The Trade Show Café, supported by Grinders, provided the perfect place to enjoy some time out from a very busy programme, and the array of games machines supplied
November-December 2015
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PREVIEW
8-10 December 2015 Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
CineAsia is a unique event that brings together Asian cinema industry professionals, from cinema owners and suppliers to film buyers and distributors. This is where Asian cinema exhibition and distribution professionals come to do business. As the sister event to ShowEast and CineEurope, CineAsia maintains the same standards of programming, seminars, special events and suppliers. CineAsia also screens major Asian and Hollywood films and offers educational programmes, specifically geared toward the needs of the Asian cinema exhibition community.
Seminars
A Panel Discussion Presented by the InternationalCinema Technology Association (ICTA)
Why Exhibitors Have Become Key Stakeholders in the Protection of Motion Picture Content
Moderator:Ioan Allen, Film Audio Pioneer & Senior Vice President,Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
SHOW FEATURES
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Presenter:Mike Ellis, President & Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, MPA
November-December 2015
Panellists:Joe Chang, President, Ambassador Theatres;Mark Shaw, Executive Vice President of Operations, Shaw Theatres Maturing Asia Moderator: Sunder Kimatrai, Executive Vice President, Asia
Exhibitors Advanced Specialty Lighting Arts Alliance Media Ballantyne Strong Barco Beijing Jinhaoyuan Purification Beijing Quinette Greatwall Seats C Cretors Caiz Optronics CFG Appotronics Digital Cinema Changzhou China Film Digital Giant Screen Christie Cinvolve Bvba Coca-cola D-Box Technologies Depthq 3D / Lightspeed Design Dolby Easi Ticketing Ferco Seating Systems First Audio Manufacturing Fuyi Acoustics Products GDC Technology Gold Medal Products Golden Link Guangzhou Fangcheng Sign GTC Industries Guangzhou Lijiang Guangzhou Plato New Materials Hangzhou Chamerfood Harkness Screens Harman High Performance Stereo I-aurora Iplateia Jack Roe Companies Jiangsu Burgeree
601 401 101 301 618 614 804 811 507 515 509 201 417 118 407 219 207 813 221 600 619 313 204 120 523 319 615 504 623 214 110 218 316 405 205 603
Pacific, Twentieth Century Fox International Panellists: Irving Chee, General Manager, Golden Screen Cinemas;, Shinzo Kanno, President and CEO, Tokyu Recreation; Mark Viane, CoPresident, Paramount Pictures International
Kencast Klipsch Krix Loudspeakers Look 3D Masterimage 3D Mediamation Mesbur + Smith Architects NCR Corporation Ningbo Soundking Osram Asia Pacific Preferred Popcorn Pulz Electronics QSC Audio Products Real Image Media Technologies Robolabs Schneider Kreuznach Screen Solutions Shenzhen Future 3D Tech Shenzhen Hengchuangbaolai Shenzhen Hony Optical Shenzhen Timewaying Technology Shionpong Furniture Sony Corp (Hong Kong) Spectro Screen Sydeco Acoustics
THEATREWORLD TK Architects Tokiwa Ultra Stereo Labs Ushio Vista Volfoni 3D Weaver Popcorn Wuhu Star Huge Screen Yuyu Lighting
119 406 305 105 413 321 404 806 519 307 121 117 100 419 418 320 104 500 810 625 508 620 213 421 621
Pub Bin 220 217 108 107 115 808 807 501 503
Award Presentations DLP Cinema Marketing Achievement Award - CinĂŠpolis India Rentrak's Asia-Pacific Box Office Achievement Award - Universal Pictures International's Fast and Furious 7
Trade Show & Presentations Find the products and services you need from hundreds of suppliers to the movie theatre industry.
Screenings & Product Reels See Hollywood and major Asian films before they are released and find out what the movie studios and distributors have in store so you can make informed programming decisions.
Motion Picture Association (MPA) Asia-Pacific Copyright Educator (A.C.E.) - Sheila Timothy, Indonesia Director of the Year - Raman Hui Exhibitor of the Year - Seo Jung, CJ CGV Distributor of the Year - Jack Ledwith, Universal Pictures International
November-December 2015
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EVENT CALENDER
2015 8-10 DECEMBER
PREVIEW
CINEASIA HONG KONG www.cineasia.com
14-16 DECEMBER ISB EXPO DUBAI, UAE www.isbexpo.com
14 - 16 December, 2015 Madinat, Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE
2016 MARCH FICCI FRAMES MUMBAI, INDIA www.ficci-frames.com
9-11 MARCH CHINA THEATER & CINEMA GUANGZHOU, CHINA www.gtcff.com
11-14 APRIL CINEMACON LAS VEGAS, USA www.cinemacon.com
20-23 JUNE CINEEUROPE BARCELONA, SPAIN www.cineeurope.net
23-24 AUGUST BIG CINE EXPO CHENNAI, INDIA www.bigcineexpo.com
19-23 SEPTEMBER KINO EXPO ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA www.kinoexpo.ru
OCTOBER AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL MOVIE CONVENTION GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA www.movieconvention.com.au
International Showbiz Expo (ISBE) 2015 will be the world's first 360 degree entertainment industry event, with a focus on developing the industry in a global context by looking outside of the US and Hollywood, towards rapidly growing markets such as the Middle East and Asia. The event aims to make the film industry truly global by hosting exhibitors from studios, distributors, exhibitors, film/ cinema/technology related non-profit organisations and associations.
Profile of Attendees •
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Voracious consumers of and generators of ideas and information
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Cinema industry experts who like to engage in
31 OCT - 3 NOV SHOWEAST FLORIDA, USA www.showeast.com
NOVEMBER EXPOCINE SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL www.expocine.com.br
NOVEMBER INDYWOOD FILM MARKET KOCHI, INDIA www.ifm.co.in
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November-December 2015
Directors/studios/operators/ associations
conversations about their creative pursuits and the concepts behind them •
People excited about their own interests in their specific industry
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Suppliers and buyers engaged in developing and elevating their knowledge and understanding of the industry
There will be plenty of room, time and opportunities for real conversations with amazing people. It's an extension of your business circle - many people you know, and lots of new-to-you folks.
F U T U R E
R E L E A S E S
A glimpse of movies coming soon‌ Krampus
In the Heart of the Sea Production Universal Pictures
Production Warner Bros.
Director Michael Dougherty
Director Ron Howard
Starring Adam Scott, Toni Collette
Starring Brendan Gleeson, Ben Whishaw
Genre Comedy, Horror
Genre Action, Adventure
Youth
Don Verdean Production Fox Searchlight
Production Lionsgate Premiere
Director Paolo Sorrentino
Director Jared Hess
Starring Michael Caine, Harvey Keitel
Starring Sam Rockwell, Danny McBride
Genre Drama
Genre Comedy
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
The Wannabe Production Orion Releasing
Production Walt Disney
Director Nick Sandow
Director J.J. Abrams
Starring Patricia Arquette, Vincent Piazza
Starring Harrison Ford, Andy Serkis
Genre Drama, Thriller
Genre Action, Sci-Fi
November-December 2015
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F U T U R E Sisters
Concussion Production Universal
Production Columbia Pictures
Director Jason Moore
Director Peter Landesman
Starring Tina Fey, Amy Poehler
Starring Will Smith, Alec Baldwin
Genre Comedy
Genre Drama, Sports
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip
Production The Weinstein
Director Walt Becker
Director Quentin Tarantino
Starring Jason Lee, Tony Hale
Starring Tim Roth, Michael Madsen
Genre Comedy, Adventure
Genre Western
The Revenant Production Warner Bros.
Production 20th Century Fox
Director Ericson Core
Director Alejandro
Starring Edgar Ramirez, Luke Bracey
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy
Genre Thriller, Action
Genre Action, Adventure
Daddy’s Home
Joy Production Paramount
Production 20th Century Fox
Director Sean Anders, John Morris
Director David O. Russell
Starring Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg Genre Comedy
November-December 2015
The Hateful Eight
Production 20th Century Fox
Point Break
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R E L E A S E S
Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper Genre Drama, Comedy
F U T U R E Jane Got a Gun
R E L E A S E S Norm of the North
Production Relativity Media
Production Lionsgate
Director Gavin O’Connor
Director Trevor Wall
Starring Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman
Starring Rob Schneider, Heather Graham
Genre Drama, Western
Genre Family, Animation
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon II - The Green Legend
Ride Along 2
Production The Weinstein
Production Universal
Director Yuen Wo-Ping
Director Tim Story
Starring Michelle Yeoh, Donnie Yen
Starring Ice Cube, Kevin Hart
Genre Action, Fantasy
Genre Comedy, Action
13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
Underdogs Production The Weinstein
Production Paramount
Director Juan José
Director Michael Bay
Starring Katie Holmes, John Leguizamo
Starring Pablo Schreiber, John Krasinski
Genre Comedy, Animation
Genre Drama
Dirty Grandpa
The Forest Production Gramercy Pictures
Production Lionsgate
Director Jason Zada
Director Dan Mazer
Starring Natalie Dormer, Taylor Kinney
Starring Robert De Niro, Zac Efron
Genre Thriller, Horror
Genre Comedy
November-December 2015
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F U T U R E The Boy
Dilwale Production STX Entertainment
Production Rohit Shetty
Director William Brent Bell
Director Rohit Shetty
Starring Lauren Cohan, Rupert Evans
Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol
Genre Horror
Genre Drama
Kung Fu Panda 3
Production Eros International
Director Jennifer Yuh Nelson
Director Sanjay L Bhansali
Starring Jack Black, Angelina Jolie
Starring Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone
Genre Animation, Family
Genre Drama
Airlift Production Phantom Prod.
Production T-Series
Director Abhishek Chaubey
Director Raja Krishna Menon
Starring Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt Genre Thriller
Starring Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur Genre Action
Ghayal Once Again
Wazir
November-December 2015
Bajirao Mastani
Production 20th Century Fox
Udta Punjab
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R E L E A S E S
Production Vinod Chopra
Production Sunny Sounds
Director Bejoy Nambiar
Director Sunny Deol
Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar
Starring Sunny Deol, Om Puri
Genre Action, Thriller
Genre Action