TheatreWorld ::: September - November 2022

Owning sheer grit through the pandemic, the cinema exhibition industry has marked its comeback in a bigger and better fashion as it has brought an exciting slate of upcoming releases, offers and discounts to its patrons they just cannot refuse! A series of unparalleled entertainment experience with unique and distinctive cinema formats.

The hiatus for West-Londoners has finally ended as Ealing has received a new cinema after 14 long years; the Ealing Project brings to cinema patrons a location that’s not only versatile but also local to its core. Presenting immersive multisensory experiences, Cineum Cannes the official screening location for Cannes Film Festival 2022 introduced its newest Lodge cinema concept. As it takes the visitors on a unique sensory odyssey the auditorium is equipped with FLEXOUND Augmented Audio. As cinemas all over the world are being set - prepped once again for patrons, the New York based Mamaroneck Cinemas has opened its doors again after eight years. With its Dolby Atmos Auditorium, the legacy location is ready to welcome it audience for a modern experience once again. While modern technology and ambience are starting to dominate the industry, the Malaysian cinema chain, MBO Cinemas has launched its newest location at Quayside as it brings leisure and entertainment to its audience. An entertainment wonder fitted with the best of cinema technology; the eight-screen property has become a crowd-pleaser.

The holiday season is soon approaching, and the upcoming slate of releases boasts attractive options for cinemagoers to choose from. The current success at the Box Office has paved the way for the upcoming movie releases, as Brahmâstra: Part One - Shiva released on 5000 screens in India and over 9000 screens worldwide. With a gross box office collection of over INR 600 crores the film continues to attract the attention of the audience. As cinema fans await the long-coming release of Avatar: The Way of Water, the rerelease of the original 2009 Avatar was well received and appreciated.

Amidst the renewed interest of the audience, along with the world, India celebrated the spirit of Cinema on September 23, an initiative by the Multiplex Association of India to celebrate the successful reopening of cinemas after the dreadful pandemic. As it drew over 6.5 million moviegoers, the celebratory offer was successful in rekindling the spirit of cinema.

India’s fastest growing and beloved multiplex chain, PVR Cinemas, celebrates its silver jubilee and to commemorate this success, TheatreWorld presents to you an exclusive interview with Ajay Bijli and Sanjeev Kumar Bijli as they recount their journeys over the last two decades and a half. With a multimedia campaign featuring a film, the brand has celebrated its success alongside the esteemed actor Aamir Khan.

The fifth edition of Big Cine Expo brought together a confluence of great minds to its platform and added value to the already recovering and ever-booming industry. The 2-day event offered everything imaginable to cinema exhibitors and attendees as it created convenient networking opportunities for the cinema exhibition ecosystem. Keeping up with current trends, INOX Leisure showcased an exclusive presentation of their F&B roadmap, as it highlighted channels of revenue through the F&B vertical. With the grand success of Big Cine Expo 2022 we have added another feather to our hat and vow to bring Big Cine Expo 2023 back to Chennai for the next edition on 8-9 August 2023.

As far as expos go, the cinema exhibition industry continues to gear up for ShowEast (17-20 October 2022) , that guarantees its delegates a glance at the latest innovations, technologies and facets of the industry. The film convention features a series of presentations and screenings as it re-discovers the love for cinema industry.

RaghavendraT Editor-Publisher

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TheatreWorld TheatreWorld TheatreWorld TheatreWorld is a quarterly 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.

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INDIA PLEXING

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INDIA PLEXING

AMC’s Take on Cineworld’s Statement

beverage choices; generating greater guest engagement through its loyalty and subscription programs, website and mobile apps; offering premium large format experiences and playing a wide variety of content including the latest Hollywood releases and independent programming.

Curtain Up on New Cinema in Minehead: Equipped by CinemaNext

AMC Chairman and CEO Adam Aron said, "Cineworld, which is the world's second-largest movie theatre circuit, issued a public statement that it anticipates low levels of admissions until November, which are expected to negatively impact its liquidity position in the near-term." Aron continued, "At AMC, as we have publicly disclosed previously, the film slate in the third quarter of 2022 is expected to be relatively weak. However, we continue to be quite optimistic about the increasing demand for our portfolio of movie theatres in the fourth quarter of 2022 and calendar year 2023." Aron added, "As for AMC's liquidity, AMC ended the second quarter of 2022 with more than $1 billion of liquidity, thanks to significant amounts of cash raised in calendar years 2020 and 2021. Our new AMC Preferred Equity security, which began trading on the New York Stock Exchange recently, should also make us a much stronger company." Aron concluded, "Accordingly, we remain confident about AMC's future." AMC is the largest movie exhibition company in the United States, the largest in Europe and the largest throughout the world with approximately 950 theatres and 10,500 screens across the globe. AMC has propelled innovation in the exhibition industry by: deploying its Signature power-recliner seats; delivering enhanced food and

IMAX Names Jennifer Horsley as Senior Vice President, Investor Relations

IMAX has named Jennifer Horsley as Senior Vice President of Investor Relations. In her role, Horsley will oversee the Company's worldwide investor relations strategy and serve as its leader with the investment community, as IMAX seeks to evolve and grow its global entertainment technology platform. She joins IMAX from leading adtech firm Taboola, where she was part of the core executive team that took the company public in June last year. Horsley will report directly to IMAX Chief Financial Officer Natasha Fernandes and be based in the Company's New York office. "Jennifer has excellent experience in helping guide technology companies at critical points in their evolution; she is a strategic thinker and effective communicator with a track record of building strong, lasting investor relationships," said Fernandes. "Her leadership will be invaluable to IMAX as we continue to build on the strength of our unique model, capitalise on a remarkable multi-year blockbuster slate, and expand our global platform through new growth opportunities."

S&B Cinemas opened their third cinema in May this year, after 30 months in planning and construction. It is a stunning venue in an attractive town. The new site is located in the High Street in Minehead (UK), a beautiful seaside town on the edge of Exmoor in West Somerset. The site was a derelict Lifestyle Warehouse discount store and the massive reconstruction involved stripping the building down to the bare walls, removing and replacing the roof, and building three luxury auditoriums from scratch. The town has been without a commercial cinema since 2017. Locals had to travel an hour to the nearest multiscreen cinema and the new cinema has been welcomed by the local population, as well as visitors to the area. The Avenue Cinema Minehead has 2x60seat screens and a larger screen with 112 seats. Typically, pricing is £4.00 with higher pricing for special events. S&B cinemas is owned and operated by the husband-and-wife team of Pat and Beryl Scott, who opened their first cinema, the Ritz Burnhamon-Sea, in 2004. This was followed by the Westway in Frome and their estate now has 3 sites with 9 screens in total. Each cinema has 3 screens, the latest in Minehead being equipped by CinemaNext with NEC laser projectors and Dolby 7.1 sound. In addition to the sound and projection equipment, which is specified, installed and commissioned, CinemaNext has provided hearing assistance/audio description systems throughout and have also secured the service and support contract across the estate.

Michele Golden; The new IMAX Global Chief People Officer

IMAX named longstanding human resources executive Michele Golden as its Global Chief People Officer, a role in which she'll oversee human resources, recruiting, talent management, and diversity, equity, & inclusion for the global entertainment technology company. Golden joins IMAX from WarnerMedia (now Warner Bros. Discovery), where she served most recently as its Chief Human Resources Officer for HBO Max, the culmination of a more than twentyyear career with the media and entertainment giant. Golden will report directly to IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond and Chief Legal Officer Rob Lister and be based in the Company's New York office. "Michele is a world-class human resources executive with deep experience in guiding some of the most recognisable brands in media and entertainment, building successful teams, and navigating sweeping change" said Gelfond. "As IMAX seeks to build its global technology platform and foster a new era of growth for the Company, we are very excited to have Michele's leadership in further strengthening our global teams, workplace, and culture." Golden said, "I am beyond excited to join IMAX, and partner with Rich, Rob and the entire IMAX leadership team as they continue with their successful mission to make the world's leading entertainment technology company even better. With best-in-class technology, visionary leadership, and dedicated employees around the globe, I cannot think of a more exciting place to put my experience and expertise to work." Golden brings more than two decades of deep human resources leadership and expertise to IMAX, launching and scaling some of the industry's most recognisable entertainment brands while developing people strategies that

impact performance, culture, and business results. As a member of its executive leadership team, she was instrumental in executing WarnerMedia's strategy to launch and scale HBO Max on a global platform. Before being tapped to lead the Human Resources function at HBO Max, Golden served as Chief Human Resources Officer for AT&T's former adtech unit Xandr, leading its integration into WarnerMedia. Prior to joining Xandr, and before the Company's acquisition by AT&T, Golden led the Human Resources functions for many well-known Time Warner and Turner Brands including Turner Sports, TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Boomerang, Turner Classic Movies, Bleacher Report and others.

New Partnership for Saudi Arabia, GCC & Egypt

Majid Al Futtaim Distribution is proud to announce a new distribution partnership with Universal Pictures International, the international distribution arm of Universal Pictures. Effective February 1, 2023, Universal movies will now be released in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the GCC and Egypt by Majid Al Futtaim Distribution, one of the largest film distributors in the region and a subsidiary of Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas. This new deal realigns the release of Universal Pictures International movies in the Middle East and will see Majid Al Futtaim release such titles as M. Night Shyamalan's thriller Knock At The Cabin, Super Mario Bros movie, Renfield, Fast & Furious 10 and Trolls 3 to name a few next year. Paul Higginson, Executive Vice President,

EMEA for Universal Pictures International said: "This is a very exciting time for cinema in the Middle East with the investment and audience interest at unprecedented levels. We are thrilled to be partnering with Majid Al Futtaim, one of the most ambitious and forward-thinking Groups in the region." Ignace Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas added, "This strategic partnership reaffirms Majid Al Futtaim's commitment to deliver compelling content and the ultimate cinematic experience to cinemagoers in the region. We are proud to collaborate with Universal Pictures International (UPI), which has a long legacy of producing commercially successful and critically acclaimed movies. We look forward to bringing their impressive slate of blockbuster films and popular movie franchises to the big screen and working together to grow the Middle East's cinema industry with films that attract a large and diverse audience."

Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas operates more than 600 screens across eight markets in the Middle East as well as a portfolio of world-class experiences including Ski Dubai, Magic Planet and Dreamscape. In addition to being the region's largest and most rapidly growing exhibitor, it operates a large regional film distribution business.

Chiswick Chooses

Christie, London

Christie RGB laser projectors have helped impress cinemagoers at The Chiswick Cinema, an independent site in London, UK, owned by Trafalgar Entertainment and managed through the opening by Lyn Goleby. Built on the Chiswick High Road at the site of the former Ballet Rambert building in the heart of the community,

the cinema has made use of the versatile portfolio of Christie RGB and RGBe cinema projectors across its five screens and features a late bar license and a private dining room adjoining serving gourmet food for the ultimate luxury experience. Each cinema screen features Christie RGB laser for outstanding image quality and excellent return on investment. With screens ranging in sizes from 4 metres to 8.5 metres, each projector was specially selected to meet the requirements from three of Christie's ranges: CP2306-RGBe, CP4315-RGB and CP2309-RGB and from two technologies: RGBe and RealLaser RGB. Darren Briggs, head of engineering at Omnex, consultant on the project, explains the choice to opt for the CP2306-RGBe for screens four and five, having originally considered Xenon-based projection systems: "The CP2306RGBe will give DCI brightness for around 30,000 hours. It is also very low maintenance with a sealed light source. The colour gamut is extended, and the contrast is good, so it produces a great image quality for the audience. The RGBe was a new and unknown platform to us and we were really impressed when we saw the images as they were very vibrant.

We didn't expect it to be so bright, in fact it was more than the published specs when running close to minimum power." The other three screens use RGB laser projection with Real|Laser, in 4K and 2K resolutions in the form of the CP4315-RGB and CP2309RGB. Christie sales manager Phil Lord explained the key benefits of RGB laser: "It hinges on how we engineered the Multi Laser Pack Devices (MPDs) to deliver audiences true-to-life detailed imagesbrightness, image uniformity and high contrast - and it is factory calibrated to hold the colour balance for years with almost no maintenance. Crucially, at the same time, it also delivers the best TCO in the industry and 50,000 hours of operational life."

Christie Strengthens Vive Audio Range with Powersoft

Christie has strengthened its Vive Audio line array cinema loudspeakers with the addition of a range of professional high-end amplifiers in an agreement with audio leader Powersoft. The Duecanali and Quattrocanali amplifier platforms offer impressive sound quality and complement Vive Audio's advanced line array cinema loudspeakers to further enhance the Christie Vive Audio immersive sound experience. Both amplifier systems feature the latest advances in switched-mode technology, Class-D design, industry standard speaker processing and high-power capabilities. Christie will continue to manufacture its range of Vive Audio speakers for cinema audio applications, including its LA Series and LS Series loudspeakers as well as its S Series subwoofers. "We are committed to offering our partners the best performance, reliability and value with our Vive Audio range," says Chris Connett, senior business development manager, Christie Vive Audio. "Thanks to this new agreement with Powersoft, we can harness its expertise to boost our Vive Audio portfolio with these high-end amplifiers. Powersoft is a renowned leader in amplification technology and speaker processing with a rich history of innovation, and we are sure that our customers will be delighted with the performance of these amplifier platforms to drive their Vive Audio installations."

The class-leading, energy efficient Duecanali and Quattrocanali amplifier platforms feature numerous developments including Smart Rail Management technology helping lower overall power consumption in a compact design. The amplifiers allow for digital gain-attenuator control, remote on and off switches, and protections to prevent power spikes and short circuits, giving investment

peace of mind. The models provide either 2- or 4-channel platforms, with power sharing, advanced network, third party integration capabilities, user-friendly configuration software, monitoring, control and Digital Signal Processing functionality. "The proven reliability of our Duecanali and Quattrocanali amplifier platforms paired with the amazing sound quality, advanced speaker processing and ample output power, make them wellsuited to drive Vive Audio's advanced line array cinema loudspeakers," says Luca Giorgi, Powersoft's sales director. "We believe that incorporating our amplifiers in Christie's Vive Audio product line further consolidates Powersoft's reputation in the cinema market. Having introduced the world's first ribbon driver-based articulated line array, Christie's innovative Vive Audio product line is purposely built for the cinema environment.

AAM & Timewaying Announce

Opening of New HeyLED Innovation Centre

Arts Alliance Media (AAM), the global leader in digital cinema software and support services, and Shenzhen Timewaying, a leading technology manufacturer specialising in 3D and LED solutions, has announced the opening of the HeyLED Innovation Centre in Los Angeles, United States. After announcing a strategic partnership to deliver HeyLED, a brand of new, DCI certified LED screen technology, to the majority of Asia, Europe, and all of the Americas. The two parties will now formally invite

studios and exhibitors alike to their state-of-the-art 'innovation hub' in Chatsworth, LA for a comprehensive demonstration of HeyLED's functionality. "HeyLED presents a generational technology that will push the boundaries of cinematic viewing further than ever before", said Kenny Chow, Chief Technology Officer at Timewaying. "It's imperative therefore that we establish a central experiential hub, here in the United States, where industry pioneers can appreciate the quality of our solution and the benefits to exhibitors." With the all-new Innovation Centre now open for visitors, film creators can discover why HeyLED presents the next-gen solution for day-and-date movie exhibition, experiencing the unique performance of HeyLED's patented high pixel fill rate optical design and the stunning effects LED has to offer. While, with experts stationed on-site, exhibitors will appreciate the true commercial value to their estate, learning how HeyLED will work to drive revenue and admissions and help their theatres become a multi-purpose entertainment hub. Dale Miller, Chief Commercial Officer at Arts Alliance Media, added, "We're delighted to invite studios, exhibitors, and industry leaders to our LA hub as we prepare to demonstrate the full capabilities of the first HeyLED screen in the United States."

GDC Upgrades Two Regional Offices to Better Growing Demand from Korean and European Cinema Industry

GDC Technology Limited, a leading global provider of digital cinema solutions, announced the relocation and expansion of its Korean and

European offices to new, larger office space in Seoul (South Korea) and Barcelona (Spain) respectively to add more resources to support the current momentum and sales in Korea and EMEA. GDC Korea is celebrating its fourth year while GDC Europe is celebrating its 10th year in operation. Both sales and operation centres leverage its new office space to provide expanded services for its resellers and exhibition customers. In addition, both offices have expanded personnel to provide better customer service, including warranty services, installation, maintenance, and RMA (Return Material Authorisation). The new offices are designed with state-of-the-art workspace to enhance internal collaboration and provide the company with further room for growth. "I am so pleased to play a role in the growth of GDC Korea. Our new and expanded office provides us with significant resource to pursue our sales and service goals," said Jason Kim, general manager of GDC office based in Seoul. "Moving into this new office further validate our great products, people and potential, and it ensures GDC is best positioned to delivering the highest quality services to our customers in Korea and North Asia, which include major exhibitors and resellers. "We're truly happy and excited to relocate to our new office space in Barcelona," said Sachin Shetty, executive director of GDC Digital Cinema Technology Europe, SL.

Qube Grows in Southeast Asia; Ian Riches Joins Digital Distribution

Qube Cinema is proud to announce the appointment of Ian Riches to further develop Qube Wire's digital distribution business in Southeast Asia. Qube Wire currently provides distribution services in Singapore,

Malaysia, and Indonesia. Both distributors and exhibitors are requesting content and KDM delivery via Qube Wire in more countries across the region. Ian Riches has prolific experience in the cinema industry, particularly the Southeast Asian market. This expertise will help Qube Wire successfully expand their electronic delivery network across the region. Ian comes to Qube after a successful career in the UK with AMC/UCI and UCI (now United) Cinemas, Japan. Additionally, he spent several years in Singapore helping expand Village Roadshow's exhibition partnerships in Malaysia (TGV), Thailand (EGV) and India (PVR). Subsequently, with Loews Cineplex he was involved in ventures in Korea and Vietnam. Ian was a founding member of Megastar (now CGV) Vietnam. More recently, he has served as the Managing Director of Golden Duck's Malaysia office and as director of projects for Cinepolis Indonesia. Speaking on the opportunities in the region, Ian Riches says, "I am delighted to be joining the very established and talented team at Qube Cinema. Southeast Asia is a growing and thriving market for content distribution and I am excited to be at the forefront with Qube Wire to expand its digital distribution footprint." Nigel Dennis, Senior Vice President, Sales sees real positives from the appointment, "It's fantastic to have Ian onboard; he knows the needs of distributors and exhibitors in the territory perfectly. We know that providing the best product and service is always our goal, and we believe that once clients see and use Qube Wire for themselves, they'll recognise those qualities immediately. Qube Wire is more than just a distribution tool, and the industry is seeing that too. We are directly servicing over 100 countries across the world now, with growing territories signing up to use our content delivery platform."

Ajay Bijli

Chairman and Managing Director PVR

PVR Cinemas: 25 Glorious Years of Success!

This megabrand pioneered the multiplex revolution in India in 1997 and over the years has continued to enthrall movie lovers in every part of the country by redefining the finest cinema experiences for them. As PVR celebrated 25 glorious years of entertainment this year, TheatreWorld looks back and traces its journey of its founding days and how the brand has managed to stay ahead of the curve and become the leading film exhibitor in the country as it engages in a candid conversation with Ajay Bijli, Chairman and Managing Director, PVR and Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Joint Managing Director, PVR.

PVR was founded in the late 1990's with the sole motive to revolutionise the cinema exhibition industry in India and provide the patrons with a better cinema experience. Over the past 25 years, it has introduced a multitude of formats adhering to the ever-developing cinema technology. As it focuses primarily on its patrons, PVR has ensured an experience that befits a king. Since its inception, PVR has redefined the moviegoing experience in the country as it serves 100 million patrons at a pan India level.

It was Ajay Bijli's passion for cinema that led him to set up PVR Cinemas in 1997, and his vision has made PVR the largest multiplex chain in India. Clearly, as the Chairman and Managing Director of PVR, Ajay Bijli transformed the way Indians consumed entertainment content over the past two and a half decades. Bijli's entrepreneurial spirit is evident in the growth of PVR Cinemas as it branches out to different ventures and facets of the cinema exhibition industry. Contributing to the success and growth of PVR Cinemas, Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Joint Managing Director has been wholly involved with the company since its inception. As he manages the cinema acquisition and distribution business, he has

contributed tremendously to the multiplex chain in the last 25 years.

Over the 25 years PVR has set many milestones, what has been the brand's journey since its inception? If you had to look back and recall the journey, tell us a few defining moments?

Liberalisation started in 1990's but till late 1990's nothing much had changed in the Indian film exhibition industry. Ticket prices were low, occupancy was below 20 per cent when B-grade films was the norm. Infrastructure was poor, zero governance and piracy was at its

zenith which kept families away. Poor returns served as a disincentive for producers as exhibitors lost business. The multiplex culture was unheard of in India 25 years back. The real revolution that PVR brought about led to the huge betterment in every single link of the cinema production, distribution exhibition and ancillary chain. PVR promised India a rich movie watching experience with world class infrastructure, technology which made for an audio-visual treat, in-class ambience that took care of their minutest needs. And this was just the beginning. PVR gave a platform to the common man where he can bring the entire family together. This saw other players emboldened by PVR's pioneering experience, joined the multiplex industry to grow the sector seeing the huge potential in an under penetrated market in terms of screen density.

Over the past 25 years, PVR has introduced the latest global cinematic formats to the Indian audience. The brand has evolved to changing times with extra-large screens, laser

projection systems, immersive sound and comfortable seating to deliver the ultimate sensorial cinema experience. It has reimagined the cinema F&B through curated food by world renowned chefs like Yutaka Saito, Mayank Tiwari and Sarah Todd. Instead of a 'one size fits all' approach, it has introduced PVR Privilege, India's leading entertainment loyalty programme towards delivering a personalised experience to the customer. In our journey, it's been a matter of pride on reaching the one billion USD milestone, funding from ICICI Ventures, reaching above 500 screens in less than four years' time, acquiring major cinema chains like Cinemax and DT cinemas and becoming the most trusted and the most attractive brand.

PVR as a brand has been an inspiration to many upcoming ventures, what would you say has been the inspiration that drives your success?

We take pride in our ability to foresee the change in consumer tastes and needs and continue to reinvent the wheel so that PVR as a brand remains at the 'Top of the Mind' for our consumers. As a brand PVR continues challenging every aspect of cinema experience. Over the years, PVR has stayed relevant. We have always led the change and managed to transcend movie viewing to a holistic out-of-home entertainment experience. We have always benchmarked ourselves among the very best in the Out of Home entertainment industry and will continue to create new standards.

On reaching a leadership position, businesses tend to become proud of their achievements, however, PVR never loses sight of its 'Humility', the ability to imbibe the learning's from leaders in other categories with a view to break set benchmarks of none other than its own. At PVR we remind ourselves every day that 'Success is not a Sprint but a Marathon' and the constant hunger for excellence is the driving force that keeps us on our toes every day.

PVR properties are known for their distinctive design and architectural feats, could you tell us a little bit on the development of these aesthetics through these wonderful 25 years? How has the architecture and design changed or adapted to the brand's ideologies through the Silver Jubilee Journey?

When PVR started its journey 25 years of back, single-screens were marked by rumbling infrastructure, old technology and poor-quality movie experience which was driving away audiences. PVR saw this big problem as an opportunity by setting up India's first multiplex Anupam Cinema at Saket, Delhi. With the choice of movies at varied show times, a world class ambience, cutting edge technologies, opulent comfort, indulgent refreshments, first rate hospitality, a hygienic and safe environment, the capital city discovered an insatiable appetite for cinema almost overnight.

PVR positions itself as the best out-of-home entertainment destination in the country, where the audience feels joy through a three-hour movie-cation and rejuvenating experience. Design is an integral part of this warm and welcoming ambience that distinguishes PVR from others. Our architectural intervention has a clean, emblematic

and powerful sense of arrival. Our design symbolises a new turning point in the concept of experiential design, combining movie entertainment, world-class F&B services and attention with immersive technologies. Adding opulence to our theatres are magnificent lobby spaces, chandeliers, classic wall arts, seating with extra leg room, a complete digital cinema environment with interactive kiosks & large video walls. No two properties in PVR look the same.

Coming to cinemagoing experiences, how has PVR defined these experiences for its patrons? What are the different concepts that have been crafted to boost the cinematic experience?

We introduced the Gold Standard of cinema experience - 'Gold Class' for an audience who desired a great and exclusive experience with freshly prepared food and beverage for total indulgence with service at their seats. Going that extra length for the full-length luxury movie experience for the discerning audience with Director's Cut. Our research and development led to the launch of our home grown enigmatic large screen cinema format, PVR P[XL]. We designed an auditorium, Playhouse, a dream world created by kids for kids with colourful interiors, characters on walls, in-audi slide, playful seating and a special kids menu serving as a perfect venue for birthday parties. 4DX changed the cinematic paradigm

Sanjeev Kumar Bijli Joint Managing Director, PVR

from just Watching to Experiencing, an absolute cinema experience with revolutionary realistic effects stimulating all five senses with high-tech motion seats and special effects including wind, fog, lightning, bubbles, water, rain and scents, in both 2D and 3D formats. Superplex was created as a complete out-ofhome entertainment destination with multiple concepts (4DX, IMAX, Gold Class, Playhouse) under one roof. We opened our first drive-in theatre in collaboration with Reliance and a unique 6-screen boutique concept multiplex, Maison PVR in Mumbai that redefines the paradigm of luxury.

How do you ensure that PVR stays on top with the technological advancements and innovations within the cinema exhibition industry?

PVR has always endeavoured to bring the latest & the best international movie viewing experiences to Indian patrons. In fact, new technologies and formats always have contributed to PVR's edge over competition with a view to offer something extra for the patrons by delivering the highest quality movie experience to our patrons. Technology is deeply integrated in all our processes and we have made significant investments

towards digital transformation of the business and innovative customer engagement program. It expanded the premium formats such as IMAX, 4DX, Onyx, PXL, Playhouse through cutting-edge audio and visual technology to meet the ever-growing consumer expectations. We regularly participate in international cine expos and visit international cinema chains to identify the latest trends in the global scene which we can bring to India. Our senior management provides vital market insights to the product development team, which ushers in new ideas to innovate better brands for our customers.

The brand PVR Cinemas in India has been associated with premium, luxury and expensive experiences. How do you justify this association or image?

This image has been built due to the underlying philosophy and strategy that our theatres should look the best. Ambience is the first thing a customer notices as he enters the cinema and that makes him at ease and relaxed. India is a disparate, heterogeneous market and we want to be a pan India player. Our endeavour is to serve consumers across all price points and geographies. 25 per cent of our properties are located in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, however we invite the most discerning audience to our theatres even in these cities.

What are the challenges that you faced while establishing the brand? How did you overcome them?

We entered the industry at a time when consumers were not ready to shell out more for a movie experience considering the state and conditions that theatres were in. The transition from single screens to multiplexes is still happening and operational and capital expenditure has a huge difference. Of course, it needed a lot

of education that quality came at a price. However, we understand the market, consumers well and kept on innovating and providing value for every pie that he spent. Then came the reaction from consumers against the high prices of food products in our cinemas and allowing outside food in cinemas in Maharashtra.

We need to spend huge capital on squeezing multiple screens into a single location, paying rent and upgrading or installing the infrastructure. When consumers got more than they had expected, they didn't mind to pay more for a differentiated experience.

As you've successfully completed 25 years and served the Indian market with exceptional results, what do you believe has set PVR apart from its contemporaries? What drives the uniqueness of the brand?

What differentiates PVR is its vision and relentless effort to understand its audience and overwhelm them with more than what they expect. As in any market, the customer is king and perpetual engagement and delight is the key to spinning the entire industry wheel of returns and growth. Agility to move the business in tandem with

audience aspirations and adjusting to changing consumer preferences of the cash rich time poor audience made PVR a thought leader in this space.

As a leader in the cinematic exhibition market in India we have a relentless

focus on innovation, value creation, meticulous planning and operational excellence. We always look at the bigger picture beyond short-term challenges, as our patrons continue to repose their faith in our brand.

The pandemic has not deterred the spirit of PVR, how has the cinema chain successfully managed to keep its doors open while continuing to make pivotal expansions?

Due to huge fixed cost base, we recognised early on that the business would require greater liquidity to get through the crisis. We, thus paid the matter adequate attention and successfully raised a total of INR 1,800 Crores through a combination of debt and equity during the pandemic. We used the force majeure clause with the majority of developers or landlords, and we were able to secure significant rent and CAM discounts in the form of whole or partial waivers or discounts from our landlords or developers. We reduced fixed operating expenses and deferred all new project handovers since the start of the pandemic and all capex for new properties were put on hold. During the year 2020-21, we unveiled only 13 additional screens and 29 screens in 2021-22. These screens required very little capex outlay as they were in advanced stages of construction before the pandemic hit us.

We responded by adopting newer ways of working, creating a delightful experience, optimising costs, and ensuring that our employees are

protected from the virus through 100 per cent vaccination.

As a category leader, PVR went ahead to ensure that cinemas are safe in every possible way for both guests and staff; and going beyond what was mandated by the government.

The safety and hygiene parameter across every touch point in the customer journey right from Box Office, Security, Lobby, Audi,

Concession, Rest Room and Exit was addressed in its PVR Care programme.

Could you shed some light on the other entities with PVR Ltd. and your plans for their growth and expansion?

We conduct the movie distribution business through PVR Pictures Ltd. 'PVR Pictures', our wholly owned subsidiary. PVR Pictures aims to be the preferred distributor for Hollywood production houses that do not have a base in India for distributing movies. Further, we have started increasing our foray into distribution of Hindi and Regional language movies. The Distribution business helps us in maintaining a good and healthy relationship with producers, film stars and other key stakeholders of the entertainment industry.

Continued on Page TW-31...

The Ealing Project: 14-year Hiatus Ends!

Preston Benson Founder, Really Local Group

West-Londoners were in luck this summer as Ealing is getting its very own cinema. The Ealing Project is west London's brand-new cinema, live music venue and workspace. It opened recently at the site of the former Karma Club at Ealing Broadway. The Ealing Project is the first cinema the area has had in 14 years.

The year Ealing last had a cinema was 2008, and hence, the Ealing Project has moved back in time and frozen the tickets at the 2008 price of £6 / 6 pounds throughout July.

The property is more than your usual high-street cinema, with a huge space for live music, events and exhibitions providing a hub for the community. As TheatreWorld converses with Preston Benson the founder of Really Local Group, we dissect the concept of boutique cinemas and their latest project…

From Jurassic World: Dominion to Elvis to Minions: The Rise of Gru, The Ealing Project has been showcasing all of the year's hottest blockbusters alongside a range of carefully selected independent films, as well as hosting comedy clubs, quiz evenings and lots of live music.

Like their other venues, the Ealing Project is more than a usual high-street cinema. It boasts a huge space for live music, events and exhibitions. It doubles as a co-working space during the day allowing locals to network or grab a coffee or drink at the fully stocked bar and cafe as they catch up with friends and colleagues. The Ealing Project has proved to be a space that adds value as much as it provides entertainment.

Really Local Group, staying true to its name and patrons, works closely with the local community to ensure the space and programming of the Ealing

Project is a reflection of the location. The Ealing Project collaborates with local musicians and artists as it continues to build on Ealing's rich musical heritage through a program of events that cannot be missed, from live music to art installations.

The Ealing Project has also introduced a membership scheme for its audiences. The annual adult membership includes five tickets and allows the members to procure 20 per cent discount on all future tickets, food and drinks at the venue, a free drink on their first purchase, invites to quarterly and free member events.

Really Local Group emphasises on 'Accessibility,' 'Localism' and, 'Creativity'; could you elaborate on the three and help our readers understand what each of these attributes entail?

Preston BensonPreston BensonPreston BensonPreston Benson Benson: Looking at accessibility, the venues are all easy to get to being located on the town's high street. We always try to occupy a well-located centre location in the local community. We have also thought about mobility challenges as all our venues are accessible to people with disabilities. We also try to be financially accessible by having an average ticket price of £7 for our cinemas. We have days with discounted ticket prices, for example, we run a Tuesday Treat program where we have £5.95 tickets and 10 per cent off food and drink. Basically, we want to appeal to the broadest range of audiences.

Localism is pretty similar, so for us, our target audience is 15 minutes away from our venue. We also only employ people from the local area, so that's another way we are giving back to people in the community and this adds to the unique feel of each venue.

All of our spaces are designed in a way to inspire and instil creativity. We don't come in with a top-down approach. We don't come into a community and tell them what is creative? We create interesting spaces with lots of room and places for people to perform, grow, learn and explore. The creativity in our venues comes from within, by providing state of art facilities for

communities.

Versatility is at the centre of your projects, what inspired you to come up with this setup?

Benson Benson Benson Benson Benson: We're a very much a bottom-up organisation, getting in with the community, consulting with them and creating something that's fully flexible in spaces that people normally wouldn't associate with arts and culture. Versatility is important, as well as creating spaces that aren't hard coded as trends, taste and ideas change. Again, it goes back to this idea that the spaces themselves are adapting with what's happening at the moment. Each venue is very different because each community is different.

I think to say that one thing works in one place and so it works in another is quite arrogant. The versatility comes down to the idea of localism in the community and that every community we operate will have different needs, wants and aspirations.

In India, we are more familiar with megaplexes, multiplexes and single screens. Could you enlighten our readers about 'boutique cinemas?'

Benson Benson: The boutique cinema is a cinema that shows exactly the same film as a multiplex, but in a more intimate setting. The future of cinema is not to be in a 300 feet room as it's quite impersonal. A boutique cinema is a cinema with less seats offering a more relaxed, intimate environment with food, drink and comfortable seats. The viewer gets a better experience because they're closer to the screen and they can hear what's happening. They are also developing a connection with the other audience goers that are there with them. That's what a boutique cinema is to me.

Why do you think these kinds of properties seem to be coming up more often than other cinematic projects?

Benson Benson: More of these projects are coming up because of the versatility

the spaces offer, but it also extends back to the 2008 recession. It's the idea that between online retail and changing consumer trends, there are more vacant spaces in town centre locations. Therefore, Really Local Group is mixing up the vacant space with venues providing versatility and creativity. We're making a positive out of a negative for the benefit of the community.

What sets your boutique cinemas apart from others? And how is Really Local Group different than other promoters?

Benson Benson Benson: Really Local Group our completely unique in what we do. We speak to the local communities we operate in about what they feel the area needs, which is where the cinemas, live music spaces and cafes have come from. We also have food halls, flexible workspaces, studios, maker spaces, and a crash place for working artists to leave their children whilst they're creating. So, the look and feel of each venue is totally different and unique. We're the only group that does a multitude of different spaces and activities under one roof.

As we are discussing the Ealing Project, could you give me a brief description about the property and what it means to the Really Local Group?

Benson Benson Benson: Ealing Project is a groundbreaking venue in west London. It occupies a very beloved and popular former nightclub, which lost its way over the last 15 years. So many of our current members and audience goers used to go to the nightclub back when it was called Broadway Boulevard, so the space itself already has a connection with the community. The Ealing Project features a threescreen cinema, live music space and a place for people to enjoy good food and drinks. This combination of film and music is really important for Ealing because not only is it the birthplace of British rock and roll, it's also the home of some very popular film studios, including Ealing Studios that goes back many decades.

Ealing has not had a new cinema destination for over a decade, what prompted you to create The Ealing Project apart from the evident lack?

Benson Benson Benson Benson Benson: For me, getting to know the community. Ealing is one of the most creative places in London. Many of the residents there work in film and TV and music, so the area has a natural case of lack of supply and massive demand. It's also an incredibly family friendly area which we want to appeal to. It's got a lovely community to it, with a real sense of togetherness and we wanted to enhance the area by offering a service and experience which it is currently missing.

At length, please describe the architectural style and interiors of 'The Ealing Project.'

Benson Benson Benson: Looking at all Really Local Group venues, in particular Ealing, we looked to enhance the architecture that already exists in the venue. We don't look to come in and recreate. If you look at the Ealing Project venue, it has these beautiful cement ceilings and we've kept that there because it's a really nice design feature. As far as the colours go, because it's a concrete shell, it's got bright colours, like orange and blue, that's meant to bring warmth to the space. All the tables and chairs are in the same colour scheme, again to add warmth.

The bright colours create a nice contrast to the fact we're in a very large concrete box.

What were the challenges encountered when building/ restructuring this property?

Benson Benson Benson: The main challenges for Ealing are that it is in a basement unit that never has any fresh air supply, so we have had to refigure this space so it's in line with modern building regulations. The other challenge right now is the economy - inflations and supply chain issues, it just means we had to make quick changes in finding substitute materials to keep within budget.

Could you discuss the technical features of the property?

Benson Benson Benson: Each of our three auditoriums are equipped with full DCI compliant NEC projectors, with Screen 1 & 2 featuring 7.1 and Screen 3 featuring 5.1 Dolby surround sound. Each screen is as large as possible for the auditoriums they are based in, with an innovative 'floating' screen design. In addition, we're able to showcase alternative content, such as national theatre or royal opera, laptop presentations for corporate hires or even the latest gaming consoles for the occasional e-sports tournament. By keeping our auditoriums as flexible as possible, it means we can offer our

audiences the widest possible choice of entertainment to enjoy!

How have your projects been received by the locals as well as the movie fanatics?

Benson Benson Benson Benson Benson: They've been very well received, the Ealing Project in particular. We've sold over 2,200 memberships so far, which is a huge vote of confidence and interest in what we're trying to do. We had a number of special events in the week we opened, including a birthday party for the local MP where over 300 people celebrated her 50th. Many of the people who have visited like films and are interested in live music, they want to see something new and exciting in Ealing.

However, in most of our venues, I think we need to do a better job at bringing in the movie fanatics. Our venues are used by the communities, such as Catford and Reading offering free flexible workspaces. Many of the people that come to our venues are young mums and dads, looking to

meet up with their friends for a drink. Many of them don't even see a film, so our venues are very, very flexible for both film fanatics and those who are not.

Lastly, how do you uniquely name your projects?

Benson Benson Benson: We tend to work with the community and research the local area. Some of our venues had a pre-existing name, like Catford Mews and we look to reinstate that name because they have a lot of acknowledgement within the community and people remember them.

Others, like Reading Biscuit Factory, we asked the local community and ran a naming competition. Reading also used to be called the biscuit town as it was home to the Huntley and Palmer biscuits factory, so we thought that would be a fun name. The Ealing Project was also a naming competition. We felt the name worked well because it incorporates all the different ways to create in the venue.

Our next venue in Sidcup, which will be called the Sidcup Storyhouse, is being co-created with the new library. That name was very easy for us to decide because it's going to be a place to tell stories with film, music and literature.

Cineum Cannes: Presents Immersive Multisensory Experiences

Designed by the architect Rudy Ricciotti this multiplex boasts 12 auditoriums with a distinctive architectural setting. The theatre property acted as the official screening location for Cannes Film Festival 2022. With its new Lodge cinema concept and personalised technical details, the theatre provides a unique experience to its enthusiasts.

Cineum Cannes' most striking feature is attributed to its architecture that inherently stands out as unique and remarkable. The building was designed by the master of concrete, Rudy Ricciotti who is widely known for his designs that harbour cultural activities. Namely, the Mucem in Marseille, the Jean Cocteau Museum in Menton and the Chanel Fashion Factory in Paris are his most renowned creations.

Constructed entirely with locally sourced white concrete, this monolith structure of 9400 square metres sits at the western entrance of Cannes. The brutality of the material is balanced with a fractal facade that features subtle triangular shapes and is pierced with cracks. The structure has deployed a combination of fibre-reinforced concrete panels and

woven mesh. The structure is covered with multiple facets that symbolise the technical and creative plurality of the cinema industry. The building receives its smooth elegance from the concrete

grid-like cover that also acts as a protection for the terrace.

The building's outdoor design is owed the most attention; however, it

© Architecture Rudy Ricciotti

doesn't take the attention away from the interiors. The inside of the structure has been carefully studied to combine poetry with functionality. The elegance of the designs is attributed to Arik Levy who was brought on board after the completion of his work on the Centre Pompidou in Paris. With his skills and expertise he provided the building with a unique atmosphere that was enhanced with the grandiose bar on the third floor. To cater to the spectators and theatre enthusiasts, Cineum features human sized bubbles that are scattered around the building shaped as futuristic cocoons showcasing additional editorial content.

Cineum Cannes is equipped with 12 auditoriums with a seating capacity of over 2200 seats in a spectacular architectural setting. With personal immersive audio and physical vibration to each seat and a luxury dine-cinema concept, the new Lodge cinema provides a unique experience to its patrons. The Lodge auditorium will take visitors on a unique sensory odyssey. The theatre has partnered with the best audio brands including IMAX, DTS, Dolby and FLEXOUND Augmented Audio. FLEXOUND Augmented Audio has been installed in all the seats of the Lodge auditorium to provide personal immersive audio and natural vibration that complements the DTS:X sound system. The Lodge auditorium is equipped with red coloured velvet

reclining seats that are supplied by Ferco Seating.

"The icing on the cake is the addition of our Finnish partner FLEXOUND Augmented Audio that is integrated into the seats. The technology enables much clearer dialogue, increased dynamic range, and additional natural vibration enabling an emotional intake of sound that cannot be matched through traditional speakers," Director of Cineum Cannes, Laurent Raffaëlli says.

"Once you have enjoyed a movie with FLEXOUND the ordinary audio just feels, well, too ordinary. Our patented technology creates value that you just cannot experience by staying at home," FLEXOUND CEO, Isak Olevic says. Integrated into the seats, the FLEXOUND audio system enables much clearer voices, increased dynamic range, and additional tiny

vibrations enabling an emotional intake of sound that cannot be matched through traditional speakers. Visual artist Noemi Schipfer and musical architect Takami Nakamoto (known as NONOTAK) have completely reimagined the customer experience when entering the high-end theatres of IMAX, Aurore and Screen X. Cineum Cannes is equipped with tailor-made visual and audio installations which are Nonotak's signature.

The Classic Rooms at Cineum Cannes does not restrict itself to classic screening. No matter your seat, Cineum guarantees the best cinema-viewing experience with screen size ranging from 10-15metres and auditorium equipped with DTS:X or Dolby Atmos immersive sound. The seats have been designed especially for Cineum in the Jura region of

"The Cineum is not only a cinema. We wanted this place to be a place of culture and life. We have an art gallery of immersive art, restaurants, a VR space, a lounge bar and a terrace. We opened just a year ago and we want to reinforce our cultural and entertainment DNA. We do our best to organise several events every month around the movie we show as we believe that it gives a better experience to our customers and above all an experience that you can't attend at home, such as a kids club which is a party for kids before the premiere of animated film. Also, we host the Cannes festival and cultural events of the region."

– Yasmine Chader, Marketing and Operational Manager, Cineum Cannes

© Architecture Rudy Ricciotti

France. Few of the Classic rooms are subtly designed with unique qualities. For instance, the Cosy room boasts British inspired interiors, cedar green seating and wooden tables and dim lights.

The custom-made and designed IMAX theatre at Cineum Cannes is built to completely immerse the audience. The screen as Cineum claims is 'bigger than a tennis court' and is equipped with 12-channel IMAX sound. With premium slider seating made in France and immersive DTS:X sound, Aurore wows its patrons with every single viewing. Screen X at Cineum Cannes offers a revolutionary experience where the patrons can partake in the movie. It boasts three screens and five projectors scattered across the room projecting at an angle of 270°.

With 12 auditoriums equipped distinctively and uniquely, it aims to provide state-of-the-art cinema watching experience to its patrons. Cineum Cannes is the first cinema in France to be boosted by FLEXOUND Augmented Audio. Moviegoers in Cannes can now partake in an immersive multisensory cinematic experience. Cineum Cannes Lodge auditorium was grandly opened with the live streaming of Cendrillon from Paris in April this year.

"The Cineum is not only a cinema. We wanted this place to be a place of

culture and life. We have an art gallery of immersive art, restaurants, a VR space, a lounge bar and a terrace. We opened just a year ago and we want to reinforce our cultural and entertainment DNA. We do our best to organise several events every month around the movie we show as we believe that it gives a better experience to our customers and above all an experience that you can't attend at home, such as a kids club which is a party for kids before the premiere of animated film. Also, we host the Cannes festival and cultural events of the region," Marketing and Operational Manager of Cineum Cannes, Yasmine Chader says.

Cineum Cannes tries its best to be environmentally friendly as it locally

sources its materials such as bio popcorn, recycled paper and has invested in antiquing for the decoration of the property. Giving credit to the resident region it features artwork done by a local street art artist.

© Architecture Rudy Ricciotti

MBO Cinemas:

Bringing Leisure to Quayside

Spanning over 40,000 square feet area, this property has a seating capacity of 1300 offering multiple price points for all to enjoy the movie watching experience. The property emphasises on its customer's satisfaction as it ensures the patrons are cheerfully greeted at the entrance. With the launch of this theatre, the Malaysian operator marks its comeback after the pandemic.

Located within a neighbourhood shopping mall with a mix of matured and new townships, MBO Quayside is the latest cinema project by MBO Cinemas featuring eight cinema screens. It provides a leisurely experience and in-house casual dining to its patrons. Post the pandemic this is MBO Cinemas' first property launch. With this newest addition MBO marks a total of 61 screens across Malaysia.

Despite it being a formidable task, the construction of the cinema was completed within three and a half months with the support of the integrators and partners.

As this property is the first cinema out of the pandemic the focus of the design emphasised on two main ideas. Firstly, it focused on the comfort of its patrons by ensuring cleanliness and secondly making sure the property was spacious all through the main entrance to the cinema halls.

The cinema property boasts a clean look with a palette of bright colours. The tiling and the countertops are white in colour to produce a relaxed ambience. The lighting features warm lights for a more eye-appealing look.

When it comes to space, the cinema halls boast decent leg space and the cinema lobby is spacious enough for customers to sit and relax. To make their customers feel welcomed, MBO Quayside has the box office fashioned in the style of a hotel concierge desk. The box office sits at the entrance of the cinema and greets

the patrons as they move onto the lobby. MBO Cinemas emphasise on human interaction, hence, their patrons are always greeted as they enter the property.

MBO Quayside is an eight-screen property out of which the largest hall is 'Big S' or the 'Big Screen.' It is equipped with a wide wall-to-wall 20m screen and is powered with Dolby Atmos surround sound system and RGB Barco 4K projector. At a time, it can accommodate up to 328 people.

In contrast to the Big S, MBO Quayside boasts 'Kecil', where Kecil is a local Malay word used to describe children and kids. Kecil is MBO Cinemas' in-house brand of cinema hall that caters to young families. The hall is designed to cater to kids as it allows them to roam freely around the hall even as the movie is being screened. For moviegoers seeking a premium experience, the cinema property has a Premier Hall that is equipped with fully reclined seats with private enclosure and charging amenity that radiate the luxury of comfort and privacy. The waiting area is carpeted entirely and is extremely spacious and can be easily converted into a space to host corporate events, birthday parties and other social gatherings. Upon arrival, patrons are welcomed with hot towel service and fresh juices for a quick refresher. Additionally, in-hall service call buttons are available at all seats for personalised assistance.

The cinema halls also boast seating sofas outside every hall for patrons to relax and wait before they enter the halls.

Besides the cinema auditoriums, MBO Quayside has introduced an in-house café that serves warm beverages, light bites and dine-in meals as it caters to a wide demographic of patrons. Apart from the usual popcorn and cold drinks, MBO Quayside presents a variety of options to its visitors. The menu has been designed in a manner that the food items are easily consumable inside the cinema halls. This feature has been warmly received by the visitors. To provide its patrons with an exclusive and private experience, MBO Quayside has allocated lounging space for its Premier Hall customers. A background of the luxury cinema foyer setting alongside

luxurious furnishing and a calming environment allows the customers to enjoy their favourite beverages right outside the hall.

The lounge is also equipped with private washrooms that are designed for the convenience of the customers. The cosy ambiance of our Premier Lounge makes this a perfect setting for casual meetings, quick discussions or some catch-up time with friends and family. To cater to its youngest crowd, the cinema theatre is equipped with an indoor playground that allows the kids to come in and play freely while the parents and/or guardians sip away at their coffees and other beverages. Within the Kecil hall, a family room has been built for the ease of parents. It boasts a nappy room for diaper changes and also allows new moms to breastfeed their little ones.

While MBO Quayside today caters to a multitude of crowd with its array of facilities, the construction of the same was not easy. One of the main challenges faced while building the cinema was building it as the mall was operational. It was not an easy task to fit-out an eight-screen cinema during the pandemic as cinemas were not functional and the cinema distribution industry was stagnant. MBO Cinemas kickstarted the process in 2022 as cinemas all over began to reopen slowly. It opened just in time to showcase and screen the blockbusters of 2022.

Mamaroneck Cinemas:

Old is New Again!!!

Been shut for over eight years, this cinema has returned to cater to its locals with a unique cinemagoing experience. While retaining most of its 1920's structural and architectural originality, the theatre has been equipped with modern technology to provide an experience that is modern yet wholesome and ambient.

Formerly known as the Playhouse Theatre, the property was operated by Playhouse Operating Co. since its opening in December 1925. The construction boosted a vaudeville house and most of its originality is still intact with the auditorium walls, lobby and façade.

The theatre was split into four screens by United Artists in 1980, with two balconies placed downstairs and upstairs respectively. The building also featured 12 dressing rooms and a stage, that has been left intact by the current promoters.

Clearview Cinemas briefly bought out the theatre, but with its acquisition by Bow-Tie Cinemas, the property was closed in 2014.

The new Mamaroneck Cinemas is part of a family of independently run theatres that include Cobble Hill Cinemas, Kew Gardens Cinemas and

the Elgart family, this cinema is managed by Harvey Elgart and his sons Noah and Andrew Elgart. The family has been in the movie theatre business for over forty years.

With its new restorations and refurbishments, the theatre has eight auditoriums each of which feature luxury reclining loungers, state-of-the-art laser projection and Dolby Digital 7.1 sound. The pièce de resistance, the Dolby Atmos Auditorium is the core of the building and the largest one too. Formerly used for live performances, it features Christie's 4K laser projection and Dolby Atmos sound for 360 degrees of total immersive sound. The servers at Mamaroneck are equipped with GDC products.

The Elgart family renovated the building not only for maximum climate efficiency and waterproofing, but

Williamsburg Cinemas in the city of New York. Owned and operated by

exposed all the original bones of the structure and left it entirely exposed for an industrial look. The original steel beams and the underside of the original auditorium platforms are exposed in common walkways and bathrooms. The family has retained the 1925 original staircase with brass railings and the original clay block ceilings in the lobby and while merely painted the ceiling black. The architectural firm that conceptualised and designed Mamaroneck is Philadelphia based JKR architects.

The asbestos fire curtain from the theatrical days was removed from the original stage, but the steel tracks over 60 feet high were left exposed for aesthetic purposes. The backstage area, original wood stage and orchestra pit was never functional, hence, the promoters at Mamaroneck built an interior structure to capture this space for two additional auditoriums that haven't seen life since vaudeville.

The biggest challenge was to open the cinema theatre during Covid. The outbreak in Westchester stalled the construction for over a year. This

left the promoters with a vacant building to keep intact with demolition

"Theatres in this area have mainly gone out of business except for a few multiplexes that were built in the 90's. We are bringing back main street moviegoing for the town of Mamaroneck and surrounding towns nearby.

nearly completed in the interior. The stalling delayed the opening and halted the construction of two extended auditoriums added above the lobby entrance.

– Harvey Elgart, Proprietor and Operator, Mamaroneck Cinemas.

For the concession stand, Mamaroneck has been equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and the original grates used as a decorative feature from the original columns have been incorporated. Staying close to its old-school appeal, Mamaroneck has not incorporated a dine-in feature, instead, it continues to sell the traditional movie snacks, namely popcorn, soda, candy, hot dogs, nachos, ice cream and sweet corn for a twist.

"Theatres in this area have mainly gone out of business except for a few multiplexes that were built in the 90's. We are bringing back main street moviegoing for the town of Mamaroneck and surrounding towns nearby. The people coming to the theatre since we opened are just in awe and appreciation of bringing back memories of this location that they grew up in," added the Harvey Elgart, Proprietor and operator of Mamaroneck Cinemas.

The people coming to the theatre since we opened on June 17 are just in awe and appreciation of bringing back memories of this location that they grew up in."

OSRAM XBO Cinema Lamps: Passion Drives the Show

When you go for a movie, it's not just about watching blockbuster movies while eating popcorn, it's also about escaping from the hassles of daily life and diving into another world. For almost 70 years, OSRAM XBO lamps have delighted audiences worldwide by transforming movie viewing experiences into memories that they will always cherish.

In 1954 OSRAM introduced the world's first XBO lamp that replaced the traditional carbon arc and set a new standard in cinema projection. Since the past 70 years, it has remained as the legacy as OSRAM XBO lamps offer the best quality and a never forgetting experience to movie audiences worldwide.

OSRAM has an exclusive XBO plant in Berlin, and the internal electrodes are sourced from a factory in Schwabmünchen. Since the introduction of the first lamp, XBO lamps have remained the star products

in the OSRAM family. In 1983 this light sourced was so successful in enhancing the screen presence of full-colour Hollywood blockbusters that OSRAM was presented with the most coveted Oscar for the XBO lamp at the Academy Awards ceremony of the year.

The cinema industry and its exhibition counterpart, have been experiencing a pivotal development in the Indian market. New technologies have brought in newer and more opportunities for exhibitors, integrators and consumers and has opened avenues for healthy market dynamics.

"So far, there is no technology which can perform exactly the same as the Xenon lamp in this industry; it is still the only standard that all film makers follow. OSRAM XBO is still the best solution to get the ideal light matching DCI-P3. If you ask me the future, providing better products to present films is always our mission. It does not matter what kind of technology you use" Michael Klopp, Global Head of Cinema Lamp Business in ams OSRAM has elaborated.

Michael Klopp, Global Head, Cinema Lamp

New digital cinema projectors and large screens require a higher light output. OSRAM's XBO cinema lamps rise to this challenge with a level of luminance that guarantees brilliant and high-resolution images. XBO cinema lamps are from the genuine OSRAM production that are 'Made in Germany.' The automated processing of high-quality materials in conjunction with the strict OSRAM quality control ensures a consistently high lamp standard.

Watching movie in cinemas is the lifestyle everywhere; the sustainable technical development brings in wonderful experiences to the audiences worldwide. OSRAM keeps shining these screens and creating memorable moments with advanced technology of light. With its dedicated sales, marketing and quality team, OSRAM is committed to offering the

Continued from Page TW-18

best of its services to all cinema customers across India.

It is honoured to be the preferred partner of almost all major multiplexes in India for the light source in their cinema projectors.

To ease the accessibility of its services, in 2018 it launched the ams OSRAM XBO Service Platform that

PVR Cinemas: 25 Glorious YPVR 25 Glorious YPVR Years of Success!ears Success!ears

Zea Maize is engaged in manufacturing, packaging and selling gourmet popcorn under the '4700BC' brand. It has a strong brand recall among consumers, and we were the first to introduce premium popcorn in the Indian market. The brand is built on highly innovative products with unique flavours. It has an omni-channel presence across Retail, E-com, Q-Com, D2C, Institutional and Corporate and is now expanding globally. It is creating a brand category in India for premium snacks and is currently focusing on cornbased snacks. The Company has recently moved beyond gourmet popcorn to expand into Makhana, Chips, Corn Nuts and Sweet Corn.

What are PVR Cinemas' immediate plans as it celebrates 25 years? What are the upcoming plans as it continues to reach new heights?

The celebration started with Aamir launching our new brand film

'Iss Andhere Mein Bahut Roshni Hai (ThereisLightinThisDarkness)' featuring him and unveiling our 25th Anniversary logo. To bring its heritage to life in the metaverse, PVR also launched its first ever NFTs with special edition NFT coins and ticket capturing the story of its brand and it's most iconic moment. The brand film idea comes from the insight of all the emotions and experiences the audience goes through - the magic of movies, the bonding and escaping to a fantasy world, when the lights go down. The concept for the film was derived from a consumer insight and the poem was written by Vineet KKN Panchhi which was further evolved for the film.

From this year, we are determined to carry forward our vision of bringing world-class movie watching experience to every part of the country. We have also recommenced our Capex programme and intend to open approximately 120-125 screens in FY23. We continue to invest in our

allowed access to comprehensive knowledge at the user's fingertips. The application was designed for Android and iOS keeping in mind the cinema technicians. The app allows access to all XBO product details including technical data and warranty time frames for each lamp type according the model of the projector.

loyalty programme 'PVRPrivilege' which has 14.6 million loyal patrons and introduce new initiatives to inculcate loyalty amongst patrons. We are currently piloting a programme which allows subscribers to watch movies on weekdays by paying a monthly subscription fee. As we celebrate 25 years of PVR's inception, we continue to remain confident about our business's prospects and the milestones PVR will achieve over the next 25 years.

Tell us a little about the INOX PVR merger and what are the further plans?

The announced merger with INOX Leisure is progressing well. Both the companies have received 'No Objection Certificates' from the 2 stock exchanges (BSE and NSE) on the proposed scheme of merger. We have filed our application for the approval of scheme of merger before the National Company Law Tribunal ('NCLT').

REVIEW

16 - 17 August 2022 Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai, India

Big Cine Expo rolled out the red-carpet treatment for its exhibitors, delegates, speakers and attendees at the 5th edition of its international trade show and convention at the Chennai Trade Centre in Chennai, India. It offered an extremely competitive, unique and exclusive platform to single-screen cinemas, multiplexes and B2B stakeholders of cinema and entertainment once again. This value adding interactive platform is the only cinema exhibition convention and tradeshow specially dedicated for the burgeoning cinema exhibition market in Asia and India.

As the world's second largest international tradeshow and convention in terms of footfall, Big Cine Expo 2022 marked its comeback after two years in a much bigger and remarkable way. It acted as a platform that attracted executives from across the country and globe with an aim to better the existing moviegoing experiences for the audiences.

The event boasted two power-packed days of networking opportunities, collaborations and prospects of discovery to all present.

As it allowed its exhibitors and delegates an augmented platform, the tradeshow and convention featured various product displays and demos, presentations by exhibitors, studio presentation by none other than Disney Star Studios as well as a series of special events, screenings, B2B meetings and more.

The panel discussions at Big Cine Expo 2022 witnessed a confluence of great minds as it broached on pressing topics impacting and affecting the cinema exhibition industry.

HIGHLIGHTS

Panel Discussion

•Premium Large Screen Formats - Wooing Audience

Back to Theatres

Panelists: Panelists: Panelists: Panelists: Panelists: Preetham Daniel - Vice President - Theatre Development

(India, SE Asia, Aus & NZ), IMAX; Senthil Kumar - Co-founder, Qube Cinema; Manoj ParamahamsaCinematographer, (Radhe Shyam, Beast, etc); Eranna YekboteChief Architect, Era Architects

Moderator: Moderator: Moderator: Moderator: Akshaye RathiDirector, Aashirwad Theatres

•The Blockbuster Returns!

Panelists: Panelists: Amit Praveen SharmaManaging Director, Miraj Entertainment; Aashish SinghChief Executive Officer, Lyca Productions; Kunal SawhneyChief Operating Officer, Cineline

• • • •

Laser Projection - WhereLaser - WhereLaser Projection - WhereLaser - Where Economics MeetsEconomics MeetsEconomics MeetsEconomics Meets T T Tec ec ec echnological Excellencehnological

Presented by Marc AartsDirector, Commercial Strategy EMEA & APAC, Cinionic

• From Now Showing to NowFrom Now toFrom Now Showing to NowFrom Now toFrom Now Showing to Now Showing & ServingShowing ServingShowing

Presented by Dinesh HariharanVice President, F&B Operations, INOX Leisure

India; G R Dorairaj - Managing Director, GRK Theatres, Puducherry; Rohan SableRegional Director (South), PVR Cinemas

Moderator: Sreedhar Pillai - Trade and Entertainment Industry Analyst

•OTT vs. THEATRICALS??

Bridging the Gap Together & Building a Sustainable Ecosystem

Panelists: Panelists: Panelists: Panelists: Devang Sampat - Chief Executive Officer, Cinépolis India; Rajesh Mishra - Executive Director and Group CEO, UFO Moviez; Shobha Sant - Head - Content Alliances, JIO Studios; Aashish Singh - Chief Executive Officer, Lyca Productions; Amit Praveen Sharma - Managing Director, Miraj Entertainment; P V SunilFounder, The BIG Pictures

Moderator: Moderator: Sandeep MittalFounder, TheatreWorld

•Building the Future Multiplex for Cinegoers

Panelists: Panelists: Panelists: Panelists: Andrew Emmott - Vice President Sales, Harkness Screens; Vaishali HanumantheManaging Partner, DRC Cinemas, Mysore; Satwik Lele - Chief Operating Officer, Mukta A2 Cinemas; Vikas Lokhande - Chief General Manager, Marketing & Strategy, Khushi Advertising; Sanjay Dalia - Multiplex Leasing & Project Consultant, Thrive Consulting

Moderator: Moderator: Akshaye RathiDirector, Aashirwad Theatres

Presentations

• Studio Presentation by DisneyStudio Presentation by DisneyStudio Star Star Star Star

Presented by Deepak UpretiDirector-Theatrical Distribution, India

• 10 Y10 Y10 Y10 Y Years of Atmos & Future ofears Atmos & Future ofears of Atmos & Future ofears Atmos & Future ofears Cinema Cinema

Presented by Friedrich DeiningerSr. Director Cinema, EMEAI, Dolby Laboratories

• •

Experience Lifelike 3DExperience Lifelike 3D

Presented by Akash ParmarDirector, Redi Unipolar

IMAX Big Cine Awards

2022 India's TIndia's Top Multiplex Chain of theop Multiplex theop Multiplex Chain of theop Multiplex the Y Y Year -ear -ear -ear -ear - PVR Cinemas & INOX Leisure

Best Multiplex TBest Multiplex T Theatre of the Yheatre theheatre Year ear ear

--- Miraj Cinemas, Entertainment Paradise, Jaipur

Best Single-Screen Theatre of theBest Single-Screen Theatre the Y Y Y Y Year -ear -ear Alangar Cinemas, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu

Best Adapted Single-Screen toBest Adapted Single-Screen toBest Adapted Single-Screen toBest Adapted Single-Screen to Multiplex Cinema -Multiplex -Multiplex Cinema -Multiplex - Shenoy's, Kochi, Kerala & Mukta A2 Cinemas (Vaishnavi Vaibhavi), Bengaluru

Best TBest Best TBest Best Tec ec ec echnology Adopter of thehnology Adopter ofhnology Adopter of theAdopter of Y Y Year -ear ear -ear ear Cinépolis Nexus Seawoods, Navi Mumbai

Emerging Cinema Chain of theEmerging Cinema Chain theCinema Y Y Y Y Year -ear ear -ear ear MovieMax

Innovative TInnovative T Tec ec ec echnology of the Yhnology of the Yhnology of the Yof the Yof Year ear ear ear

--- QSC Q-SYS

Most TMost T Trusted Brand of the Yrusted Brand of YBrand Year -ear -ear -earCoca-Cola

Special Achievement Award -Special Achievement -Special Achievement Award -Special Achievement - Kapil Agarwal

A more detailed coverage on the Product Presentations and the Panel Discussions in the upcoming issues.

ShowEast with its two-day Expo offers guarantees to offer its delegates a glance at the latest and best technologies, entertainment, services, comforts and conveniences to create remarkable cinema theatres. As it referred to as 'the film convention,' ShowEast features a wide range of presentations and screenings that will enable its attendees to make important programming decisions.

ShowEast 2022 is on a mission to re-discover the love for the cinema industry as it welcomes its attendees in October. It has proposed to provide a platform to theatre owners and operators, theatre managers, concessions and equipment buyers, film buyers, film distributors, film producers and marketing and media professionals not only to expand their network but also to create future prospects of collaborations.

With its international content, ShowEast draws a large contingency of Latin and South Amercian delegates in comparison to any other convention. Its inclusive programming has the latest content and concerns within the Americas.

Studio Presentations

Paramount Pictures International Sony Pictures Releasing International Warner Bros. Pictures International

17-20 October 2022 Miami, Florida

Award Presentations

International Exhibitor of the YInternational Exhibitor the Y Year -ear ear -ear Miguel Mier, Cinépolis

International Distributors of theInternational the Y Y Y Y Year -ear -ear -ear -ear - TBC

Career Achievement Award -Career AchievementMauricio Duran, Formerly Universal Pictures

Comscore International Box OfficeComscore International Box OfficeComscore International Box OfficeComscore International Box OfficeInternational Box Office Ac Achievement Ahievement Award -ward -ward TBC

Visitor Profile

•Theatre Owners

•Theatre Operators

•Theatre Managers

•Concessions Buyers

•Equipment Buyers

•Film Buyers

•Film Distributors

•Film Producers

•Marketing and Media Professionals

Exhibitor Profile

•3D and 4D

•Alternative Content

•Amusements/Gaming

•Assistive Listening Devices

•Beer/Wine/Spirits/ Alternative Drinks

•Booth/Projection Equipment

•Concessions and Equipment

•Construction/Architecture Interior Design

•Digital Cinema Equipment

•Financial Services

•Green/Energy/Environmental

•HVAC/Air Filtration

•Immersive Seating

•Immersive Sound Systems

•In-theatre Dining

•Kiosks

•Lasers

•Lighting

•Lobby Displays

•Mobile Payment Systems

•Movie Merchandise

•Projection

•Promotions

•PPE Products

•Real Estate

•Sanitation Supplies & Services

•Screens

•Seating

•Security

•Signage

•Social Networking

•Sound/Speakers/Amplifiers

•Theatre Owners

•Ticketing/POS Solutions

•Uniforms

•Walls/Acoustic Panels

F U T U R E R E L E S E SA

A glimpse of movies coming soon…

Production 20th Century Director David O. Russell Starring Christian Bale, Margot Robbie Genre Drama, Historical

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

Amsterdam Production Sony Pictures Director Will Speck Starring Javier Bardem, Winslow Fegley Genre Adventure, Family

Halloween Ends

Production Universal Pictures Director David Gordon Green Starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer Genre Horror, Sequel

Production Lionsgate Director Marc Forster Starring Gillian Anderson, Helen Mirren Genre Drama, Family

Production Warner Bros. Director Frances O'Connor Starring Emma Mackey, Joe Alwyn Genre Biography, Drama

Black Adam Production

Warner Bros. Director Jaume Collet-Serra Starring Dwayne Johnson, Noah Centineo Genre Action, Adventure

White Bird: A Wonder Story

Emily

Ticket to Paradise

Production Universal Pictures Director Ol Parker Starring George Clooney, Julia Roberts Genre Comedy, Romantic

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Production Ryan Coogler Director Marvel Studios Starring Michael B. Jordan, Dominique Thorne Genre Action, Adventure

Slash/Back

Production RLJ Entertainment Director Nyla Innuksuk Starring Melissa Hood, Nalajoss Ellsworth Genre Adventure, Sci-Fi

Prey for the Devil

Production Lionsgate Director James Hawes

Starring Jacqueline Byers, Virginia Madsen Genre Horror, Thriller

Armageddon Time

Production Focus Features Director James Gray Starring Cate Blanchett, Robert De Niro Genre Drama

Till

Production Orion Pictures Director Chinonye Chukwu Starring Whoopi Goldberg, Danielle Deadwyler Genre Biography, Drama

She Said

Strange World

Production Universal Pictures Director Maria Schrader Starring Carey Mulligan, Zoe Kazan Genre Drama, Adaptation

Production Walt Disney Studios Director Don Hall Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid Genre Adventure, Family

Devotion

Production

Sony Pictures

Director JD Dillard Starring Christina Jackson, Jonathan Majors

Genre Action, Drama

The Fabelmans

Production

Universal Pictures

Director Steven Spielberg Starring Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen Genre Drama

Nanny

Production Amazon Studios

Director Nikyatu Jusu Starring Michelle Monaghan, Sinqua Walls Genre Drama, Horror

Avatar: The Way of Water

Production 20th Century Director James Cameron Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana

Genre Action, Fantasy

Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies

Production Focus Features

Director Michael Showalter Starring Jim Parsons, Ben Aldridge Genre Drama, Adaptation

I Wanna Dance With Somebody

Production TriStar Pictures

Director Stella Meghie Starring Moses Ingram, Naomi Ackie Genre Biography, Drama

Bones and All

Production Metro-GoldwynMayer Director Luca Guadagnino Starring Timothee Chalamet, Taylor Russell Genre Adventure, Drama

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

Production

Universal Pictures Director Joel Crawford Starring Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek Genre Adventure, Comedy

EVENT CALENDER

17-20 OCTOBER

SHOWEAST FLORIDA, USA www.showeast.com

25-26 OCTOBER

MENA CINEMA FORUM DUBAI, UAE www.menacinema.com

5-8 DECEMBER

CINEASIA

BANGKOK, THAILAND www.cineasia.com

2023

24-27 APRIL

CINEMACON LAS VEGAS, USA www.cinemacon.com

MAY

AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL MOVIE CONVENTION SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA www.movieconvention.com.au

19-22 JUNE

CINEEUROPE BARCELONA, SPAIN www.cineeurope.net

8-9 AUGUST

BIG CINE EXPO CHENNAI, INDIA www.bigcineexpo.com

SEPTEMBER

KINO EXPO ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA www.kinoexpo.ru

SEPTEMBER EXPOCINE SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL www.expocine.com.br

Goodbye

Production Balaji Telefilms Ltd Director

Vikas Bahl

Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Rashmika Mandanna

Genre Drama, Family

Code Name: Tiranga

Production T-Series Director Ribhu Dasgupta Starring Parineeti Chopra, Harrdy Sandhu Genre Action, Patriotic

Production Cape of Good Films Director Abhishek Sharma

Starring Akshay Kumar, Jacqueline Fernandez Genre Adventure, Drama

Production Dil Raju Productions Director Gunashekhar

Starring Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Dev Mohan Genre Drama

Ram Setu

Shaakuntalam