The partnership will see VOX Cinemas roll out ICE Theaters across the Middle East and North Africa on an exclusive basis
Leading French company CGR Cinemas, and Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, parent company of VOX Cinemas, today announced a strategic partnership to add the brand-new premium screen concept, ICE Theater (ICE for Immersive Cinema Experience) across select cinemas in the region.
The ICE Theater combines state-of-the-art design, excellence in sound and image technologies, and the truly revolutionary ICE IMMERSIVE sensorial experience. It meets growing demand from customers for immersive experiences in cinema. With an exceptional film line-up for 2019 that will see more than 20 blockbusters secured in ICE IMMERSIVE technology, VOX Cinemas will operate the very first international rollout of this premium technology in its cinemas.
Speaking on the partnership, Cameron Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer at Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment and Cinemas added: “We were impressed by the outstanding technological excellence of the ICE THEATER concept and welcome this strategic partnership with CGR Cinemas. As part of our vision to deliver outstanding offerings to customers across our markets, we continually seek the best cinema experience that can truly enthrall our audience. The outstanding offerings delivered by ICE Premium theaters is yet another opportunity for us to further enhance the cinema-going experience and bring great moments for our customers”.
Jocelyn Bouyssy, Managing Director of CGR Cinemas, added: “I’m thrilled to announce this ambitious new venture for CGR Cinemas , as we fully share VOX Cinemas’ innovative vision regarding the future of the cinema exhibition business. This partnership which will extend to some of the most dynamic markets in the world pays tribute to our efforts to develop an innovative concept based on a suitable business model for cinemas operators.”
With a record number of blockbusters released in ICE IMMERSIVE technology last year, including Sony’s “Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle,” Paramount’s “Mission Impossible: Fall Out,” Fox’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Warner’s “Aquaman,” and many more, 2019 promises to be even better. Universal’s “How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” and “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw,” Fox’s “Alita Battle Angle,” Sony’s “Men In Black International” and “Spider-Man Far From Home,” Metropolitan’s “Hellboy” and Warner’s “Shazam” and “Annabelle 3,” to name but a few, will all be released in the revolutionary ICE IMMERSIVE technology.
About CGR Cinemas Group
CGR Cinemas Group is the leading cinema circuit in France by the number of sites, with 73 operative theatres. 1st cinema circuit in Europe to become 100 per cent digitally-equipped, CGR Cinemas Group welcomes over 27 million moviegoers a year. CGR is the leading cinema circuit in Europe for immersive theaters with 25 operative ICE premium screens.
More information on cgrcinemas.fr or icebycgr.com.
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About Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas
Owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas, VOX Cinemas is the cinema arm of Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa. VOX Cinemas is the Middle East’s most innovative and customer-focused exhibitor. With 36 locations totaling 355 screens across the region, including almost 200 screens in the UAE, 15 screens in Lebanon, 47 screens in Oman, 30 screens in Bahrain, 28 screens in Egypt, 18 screens in Qatar, 16 screens in Saudi Arabia and 17 screens in Kuwait, VOX Cinemas is the Middle East’s largest and most rapidly growing exhibitor.
Across the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt and Lebanon, the company is undergoing an AED1.2-billion (USD326-million) investment to expand to operate 300 screens by 2020. In addition, Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas will invest AED1.96 billion (USD517 million) to develop 600 screens across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by 2023. Tailoring every cinema location to the surrounding market place and customer preferences, VOX Cinemas offers a mix of experiences including luxury concepts, THEATRE by Rhodes and GOLD by Rhodes both in collaboration with Michelin-starred Chef Gary Rhodes. Another signature VOX Cinemas concept, MAX is the mega-screen designed for the biggest blockbusters and features Dolby Atmos surround sound technology. VOX Cinemas was also the first to introduce IMAX with Laser to the Middle East and the only exhibitor to offer IMAX with Sapphire. The company also offers a multisensory movie-watching concept, 4DX. For young movie fans and families, VOX Cinemas offers the only cinema dedicated to children, KIDS. Complementing its portfolio of world-class experiences, VOX Cinemas offers OUTDOOR, an open-air concept.
About Majid Al Futtaim
Founded in 1992, Majid Al Futtaim is the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
A remarkable business success story, Majid Al Futtaim started from one man’s vision to transform the face of shopping, entertainment and leisure to ‘create great moments for everyone, every day’. It has since grown into one of the United Arab Emirates’ most respected and successful businesses spanning 15 international markets, employing more than 43,000 people, and obtaining the highest credit rating (BBB) among privately-held corporates in the region.
Majid Al Futtaim owns and operates 23 shopping malls, 13 hotels and four mixed-use communities, with further developments underway in the region. The shopping malls portfolio includes Mall of the Emirates, Mall of Egypt, City Centre malls, My City Centre neighborhood centers, and four community malls which are in joint venture with the Government of Sharjah. The Company is the exclusive franchisee for Carrefour in 38 markets across Middle East, Africa and Asia, and operates a portfolio of more than 240 outlets in 14 countries.
Majid Al Futtaim operates over 355 VOX Cinema screens and 35 Magic Planet family entertainment centers across the region, in addition to iconic leisure and entertainment facilities such as Ski Dubai, Orbi Dubai and Ski Egypt, among others. The Company is parent to the consumer finance company ‘Najm’, a fashion retail business representing international brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, AllSaints, lululemon athletica, Crate & Barrel and Maisons du Monde. In addition, Majid Al Futtaim operates Enova, a facility and energy management company, through a joint venture operation with Veolia, a global leader in optimized environment resource management. The Company also owns the rights to The LEGO Store and American Girl in the Middle East and operates in the food and beverage industry through a partnership with Gourmet Gulf.
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