Business & Money | Tuesday 19 March, 2019 10:58 am |

As the world eyes Saudi's efforts to open for social and entertainment activities, in connection with the kingdom Vision 2030 program that aims to pursue economic reforms with efforts to reduce dependence on oil, Saudi Arabia is unlocking the massive potential of their cinema market and aggressively inviting global and local providers to participate in these business opportunities. Hence, the Kingdom is tuned in to witness the launch of an unprecedented event dedicated to cinemas and movie theatres' design & construction, Cinema Build KSA forum will take place on the 14th & 15th of April 2019 at the Four Seasons hotel in Riyadh.     

With a population of more than 32 million, and a majority of whom are under the age of 30, Saudis spend about $30 billion annually on tourism and entertainment outside the Kingdom, which makes the move to allow movie theatres open a domestic market expected to be worth up to $1bn in annual box-office sales by 2030. The Kingdom is set to have nearly 350 cinemas. With more than 2,500 screens which they project will create more than 30,000 jobs. 

Organized by Eyes of Cities in collaboration with Great Minds Event Management Cinema Build KSA forum will represent a specialized event bringing together the key stakeholders across the design, construction & technology sectors to discuss the latest trends & techniques of building world-class cinemas in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The event will also reveal a wide range of new building solutions and equipment used in developing future Cinemas, Multiplexes, and Malls to serve as a key contributor to the industry.     

The KSA's General Commission for Audiovisual Media GCAM’s CEO Mr. Bader Alzahrani said: “The cinema sector in Saudi Arabia will see significant growth, especially with GCAM’s continuous efforts to facilitate and promote national and foreign investment to enter the sector. At the same time, GCAM is working toward achieving Quality of Life Program’s goal by opening 45 cinemas by 2020, with emphasis on providing various different entertainment opportunities for everyone, which will enhance and contribute to diversifying the economy”. Mr. Alzahrani will inaugurate Cinema Build KSA Forum and present the opening speech.

The General Commission for Audiovisual Media (GCAM), is the government organization in charge of developing, licensing and regulating the entire audiovisual market and industry in Saudi Arabia, including cinema operations and content.

Cinema Build KSA forumhosts a remarkable number of prominent speakers at its two days activities, including Mohamed Al Hashemi, Country Manager, KSA, Majid Al Futtaim Ventures LLC, Ashish Shukla, Chief Executive Officer, Cinepolis, Arpan Dutta, Head of Operation, Empire Cinemas & Sunil Puthan Veettil, Managing Director, Carnival Cinemas.  Mohammed Obaidullah, Head of Compliance and Control, General Commission for Audiovisual Media (GCAM), Kamal Al Nuaimi, Head of Registry and Information (GCAM), Paul Schwarz, Partner at Acoustics, and Luke Somerville, the director at Compass Project Consulting.

Partnering with Cinema Build KSA an outstanding number of high-profile leading entities in the field of entertainment, Cinema constructions & technology like Fawaz Alhokair Group, Jeddah Park, Arabian Centers, Compass Project Management, TK Architects, & Design Novel Architecture. 

Cinema Build KSA serves as a platform gathering experts from around the globe to be a part of the Saudi ambitious plans of opening over 2,500 screens in the next five years. With the licenses being issued to the first set of exhibitors, the authorities are setting up a clear road map to achieve their plan in becoming leaders in developing world-class cinemas.      The Forum is a part  of  MENA  Cinema Forum series which has gained a great reputation and brand exposure in the region and internationally and  will offer  an  unparalleled experience  and networking  opportunities.    

Cinema Build KSA   which represents an exclusive opportunity for all KSA potential market- stakeholder and project owners under one roof to meet, and the discussions will focus on cinema industry competitiveness through design and innovative theming, redesigning existing  entertainment hubs  like shopping malls to embed  cinemas, as ways to allocate complimentary attractions for maximum profitability, and material selection for different classes of cinemas.