IMAX Chief Commits Format To Carry Arab Films & Highlights How ‘Oppenheimer’ Is Pushing Global Sales: “We Owe A Lot To Christopher Nolan” — Red Sea
02.12.2023 - 12:49
/ deadline.com
“The work that exhibitors have done in this market is nothing short of exceptional,” Luke Vetere, Managing Director of Majid Al Futtaim Distribution, one of the largest theatrical distributors in the MENA region, told a crowd of industry figures this morning at Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival.
Vetere was among a lineup of panelists who headlined the industry-focused talk titled Redefining the Theatrical Experience in the Post-Streaming Era here in Jeddah. The panel also included Giovanni Dolci, Global Chief Sales Officer at IMAX, Eugene Kim, Content Director – Plus M Entertainment (South Korea), and Alex Walton, Co-Head and Partner at WME Independent.
“Saudi Arabia has gone from naught to over a quarter of a billion dollars in just four years. 65 cinemas, 615 screens in four years,” Vetere added.
The veteran distributor continued to say there are “very encouraging” signs of growth in exhibition across the Arab world, including the UAE alongside India.
“If you believe the forecasts for our region, we’re looking at getting back to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2025 with continued and sustained growth from there on,” Vetere said.
So, how is the MENA region managing to buck the trend of declining cinema admissions that continues to plague markets across the Western world?
The answer is complex, according to the panel. Vetere pointed to the “relatively healthy economy in the Gulf,” which he said underpins the market. Uniquely, he also highlighted what he described as the “relatively new” theatrical “infrastructure” in the region. Here, he was referring to modern cinemas in KSA and across the region that hold high-spec tech capabilities and, as such, can provide audiences with a premium experience.
“I think