The Movie-Going Experience Is Redefined As Majid Al Futtaims Cinestar Cinemas Becomes VOX Cinemas

From today, Middle East movie-goers are set for their most dynamic cinema experience to date as newly rebranded VOX Cinemas sets about delivering exciting new seating, ticketing, dining and big screen cinema options directly based on customer feedback and research.

VOX Cinemas, formally CineStar Cinemas, is now wholly owned by Majid Al Futtaim Ventures, the growth engine division behind Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas, and the incubator responsible for developing new opportunities that complement and reinforce the Group’s leadership across in its core businesses.

The VOX Cinemas brand, derived from the Latin word for ‘voice,’ has been extended to Majid Al Futtaim’s 50 screens in five locations across the UAE, including Deira City Centre, Mall of the Emirates, Mirdif City Centre, Abu Dhabi’s Marina Mall and Ajman City Centre. VOX Cinemas has significant growth plans across the region and will open the first of many planned VOX Cinemas outside the UAE, when Beirut City Centre opens in 2012.

“Majid Al Futtaim Ventures has seen an incredibly keen appetite for cinema-going over the last decade, and by researching the preferences of our customers across all backgrounds and nationalities, we have created the new VOX Cinemas brand to deliver the most engaging viewing experience as well as more choice in ticketing, seating and dining to further establish movie-going as one of the Middle East’s most popular forms of entertainment,” said Ahmed Galal Ismail, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Ventures.

“With VOX Cinemas, we have refined every aspect of the cinema-going experience in the region to make it more engaging, fun and hassle-free, from the ease of ticket purchase to innovative seating alternatives, and more delicious food and beverage options. Our customers have said that they see the cinema as an affordable way to unwind, escape and spend time with family and friends, and VOX Cinemas have anticipated these needs to offer an experience that is more stimulating, rewarding and enjoyable by offering the latest cinema technologies, not available elsewhere across the region,” said VOX Cinemas CEO Cameron Mitchell.

Delivering the United Arab Emirates’ only 4K digital projection systems for superior viewing of this summer’s major 3D blockbusters, VOX Cinemas’ 4K digital projection systems have four times the number of pixels and resolution than any other digital cinema in the region, creating a more immersive and compelling cinema experience. This enhanced resolution, will boost the popularity of the eagerly anticipated summer releases such as The Green Lantern, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Cars 2 and Transformers – Dark of the Moon, all of which will be screened on massive new VOX MAX mega screens.

Majid Al Futtaim were the first company in the region to introduce premium cinemas, which will be further enhanced through the new VOX GOLD brand, offering fully-reclining arm chairs, a comprehensive cafe style menu, and table service within these luxurious cinemas. Another first for the region, VOX Cinemas is also the first cinema company to offer 3D movies in this premium cinema environment, ensuring that VOX Cinema guests can see every film, including explosive new 3D content, in their preferred cinema environment.

Addressing customer feedback, VOX Cinemas is also dramatically improving customer choice by offering additional ticketing options including online ticketing through their website (www.voxcinemas.com), an iPhone ticketing application, a mobile website, and kiosk and onsite sales.

The new loyalty programme, VOX Rewards, will reward loyal cinema goers through providing complimentary tickets, food and beverages as well as a range of special offers and movie updates. The VOX Cafes and candybars, have similarly been upgraded to offer guests a large variety of traditional cinema favourites, coupled with more contemporary food and beverage favourites such as home made gelati, crepes, fresh juices, salads, sandwiches, French fries, coffees, muffins and gourmet popcorns.

“VOX Cinemas has strong aspirations to roll out its innovative and customized cinema experience to key markets and malls across the Middle East & Levant regions, and we’re currently in discussion with numerous entities across new and existing malls throughout the region,” concluded Ismail.

VOX Cinemas intends to further enhance the entertainment experience by offering alternative content options including major sporting events (World Cups, UEFA Champions League matches, Wimbledon & much more), coupled with forthcoming concerts and children’s events, ensuring that UAE residents are given a variety of entertainment alternatives through their local VOX Cinema.
 

Reel Cinemas Launches Loyalty Programme For Movie-Lovers

Reel Cinemas, the premier cinemas managed by Emaar Retail LLC at The Dubai Mall and Dubai Marina Mall, has launched a loyalty programme, called Friends of Reel Privileges, assuring discounts on tickets, food & beverage offers and other attractive benefits for the members of Reel Cinemas’ Facebook group.

The first phase of the programme has been launched via the Reel Cinemas Facebook page (www.facebook.com/reelcinemas), and a loyalty card will soon be introduced in the second phase.

By simply becoming a ‘Friend’ of the Reel Cinemas Facebook group, movie lovers will be entitled to an array of offers including complimentary tickets on birthdays, free pillow & blanket at the Dubai Marina Mall on their birthday month, complimentary welcome drink at Platinum Movie Suites and many other benefits.

Reel Cinemas Facebook members are only required to download an icon on to their mobile phones or print a copy of the icon from the Facebook group page and present it to the cinemas Box Office to avail any of these benefits.

Gordon Kirk, General Manager of Reel Cinemas, said: “The new loyalty programme introduced at Reel Cinemas highlights our commitment to further elevate the entertainment experience offered at our cinemas. We have redefined the standards of cinema going in Dubai within a short span of time, and we are pushing our frontiers to bring added value to our patrons.”

The Reel Cinemas loyalty programme is the first of its kind that spans both the multiplexes with special screenings for loyalty club members. All members can benefit from an array of benefits including a 10 percent discount for every 10 tickets purchased, special monthly combos, exclusive opportunities to take part in special Facebook contests and special invitation to premieres.

Spread over 150,000 sq ft, Reel Cinemas at The Dubai Mall seats more than 2,800 people, and has two lobby lounges, both of which can be accessed directly from the mall car park for the convenience of visitors. Reel Cinemas has four Platinum Suites featuring private lounges, marble-clad service counters, signature designer furniture and ambient lighting. In all, there are 17 commercial halls, the UAE’s first THX-certified cinema and two halls with digital and 3D cinema capability.

The six-screen ‘premier boutique cinemas’ at Dubai Marina Mall brings a convenient and luxury cinema choice for residents in New Dubai, including the communities of Dubai Marina, Emirates Living, Jebel Ali and visitors from Abu Dhabi. All the six screens, which opened last year, are exceptional in terms of ergonomics, offering cushy recliner seats that assure a luxury cinema experience for visitors. They can also enjoy gourmet food & beverages delivered to their seats, marking a new trend in the film circuit in the region.

In addition to Reel Cinemas, Emaar Retail LLC manages a strong portfolio of exclusive leisure and retail concepts including Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo featuring over 33,000 aquatic animals and the world’s largest acrylic viewing panel; the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink; KidZania®, the first of its kind children’s edutainment centre; and the region’s largest SEGA indoor theme park, SEGA Republic – all in The Dubai Mall.
 

Record Audiences Fill Cinemas On First Day Of 4th Gulf Film Festival

The fourth edition of the Gulf Film Festival, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), drew record audiences on its first day of public screenings.

For 10 of the 11 screenings on Friday, members of the public and GFF delegates took all available tickets. Five of the screenings drew capacity houses – the Gulf Competition Student Documentaries, Gulf Competition Student Shorts, Gulf Competition Documentaries, Gulf Competition Shorts, and the out-of-competition Lights segment.

All screenings at Dubai Festival City – 153 films from 31 nations – are free for the public, with two tickets provided per person on a first-come, first-served basis.

Today (April 17, 2011), the Festival includes a Gulf competition, student competition, out-of-competition segments including children’s cinema, and other special events. In all, 153 films from 31 nations are being screened at GFF 2011 until April 20.

The Gulf Film Festival box office is open from 10.30 am to 10 pm daily at the Grand Cinemas Dubai Festival City. The full schedule of films is also available online at www.gulffilmfest.com.

The Gulf Film Festival is supported by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and is held in association with Dubai Studio City.
 

Reel Cinemas ’Ramadan Movie Marathon’

Reel Cinemas introduces the ‘Ramadan Movie Marathon’ this month with plenty of opportunities to win complimentary tickets.

Running throughout the entire month, Reel Cinemas ‘Ramadan Movie Marathon’ will include screenings of two back to back movies of Shrek, Batman, Madagascar, Narnia, Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter, James Bond, Princess & the Frog and Beauty & the Beast.

Every week, two double movies from the list will be screened back to back starting at 4pm and then at 9pm. The first 2 weeks will showcase Pirates of the Caribbean, Madagascar, Shrek and Bond followed by Harry Potter, Princess & the Frog and Beauty & the Beast; and conclude with Batman and Narnia.

A great deal of Reel Cinemas tickets are up for grabs! Win a pair of tickets from the movies being screened by participating in the competition on the Reel Cinemas Facebook Group. A different question for each movie will be loaded and the first 10 customers to respond with the correct answer can win. Visit http://www.facebook.com/reelcinemas to participate.

Reel Cinemas is also offering a special promotion for customers who purchase two movie marathon tickets. Two tickets at Reel Cinemas at The Dubai Mall are priced at AED 50 and two tickets from Reel Cinemas at Dubai Marina Mall priced at AED 80. This is only applicable for tickets purchased for two different movies of the marathon.

Date: Ramadan (first to last day of Ramadan)
Time: Reel Cinemas operational hours
Location: Reel Cinemas at The Dubai Mall and Dubai Marina Mall
For further details call 04 4485222.
 

Listings: Reel Cinemas ’Ramadan Movie Marathon’

Reel Cinemas introduces the ‘Ramadan Movie Marathon’ this month with plenty of opportunities to win complimentary tickets.

Running throughout the entire month, Reel Cinemas ‘Ramadan Movie Marathon’ will include screenings of two back to back movies of Shrek, Batman, Madagascar, Narnia, Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter, James Bond, Princess & the Frog and Beauty & the Beast.

Every week, two double movies from the list will be screened back to back starting at 4pm and then at 9pm. The first 2 weeks will showcase Pirates of the Caribbean, Madagascar, Shrek and Bond followed by Harry Potter, Princess & the Frog and Beauty & the Beast; and conclude with Batman and Narnia.

A great deal of Reel Cinemas tickets are up for grabs! Win a pair of tickets from the movies being screened by participating in the competition on the Reel Cinemas Facebook Group. A different question for each movie will be loaded and the first 10 customers to respond with the correct answer can win. Visit http://www.facebook.com/reelcinemas to participate.

Reel Cinemas is also offering a special promotion for customers who purchase two movie marathon tickets. Two tickets at Reel Cinemas at The Dubai Mall are priced at AED 50 and two tickets from Reel Cinemas at Dubai Marina Mall priced at AED 80. This is only applicable for tickets purchased for two different movies of the marathon.

Date: Ramadan (first to last day of Ramadan)
Time: Reel Cinemas operational hours
Location: Reel Cinemas at The Dubai Mall and Dubai Marina Mall
For further details call 04 4485222.
 

‘Premier’ Reel Cinemas Opens Today At Dubai Marina Mall

The first boutique cinema in the UAE, the premier Reel Cinemas in Dubai Marina Mall, opens doors to film-lovers tomorrow (July 22, 2010).

Emaar Retail LLC, a pioneer in innovative entertainment, leisure and retail concepts, is offering unprecedented levels of luxury and privacy to movie-goers with the six-screen Reel Cinemas cineplex at Dubai Marina Mall.

The cineplex has 544 seats, all recliner and of the highest ergonomic standards. Pushing the scope of service to the next level, visitors can opt for the pampering choice of gourmet food & beverage choices delivered to their seats. They will also be provided blankets and soft pillows for a nominal extra charge.

Addressing the felt-need of residents in New Dubai including the established Dubai Marina, Emirates Living and Jebel Ali Village neighbourhoods, Reel Cinemas in Dubai Marina Mall is priced competitively for the advanced amenities it offers.

Tickets are AED 50 for the ‘Premier’ cinema experience of watching movies in total luxury. An online booking function is operational to pre-purchase movie tickets.

Mr Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Retail LLC, said: “Today, the appeal of malls is not only in offering superior shopping choices but also providing a range of world-class leisure and entertainment options for visitors. With the opening of the boutique Reel Cinemas cineplex at Dubai Marina Mall, Emaar Retail is further strengthening the mall’s retail and leisure mix, making it a complete family destination and a mall of choice for the Dubai Marina and neighbouring communities.”

Reel Cinemas is located on level 2 of Dubai Marina Mall, which can be accessed easily from Sheikh Zayed Road, thus appealing to visitors from Abu Dhabi too.

Dubai Marina Mall has 160 stores with an exciting mix of tenants including a supermarket, fashion wear, accessories, jewellers, boutiques, book and toy shops and music centres.
 

Reel Cinemas To Offer ’Premier’ Experience At New Cineplex In Dubai Marina Mall On July 22

Emaar Retail LLC, a pioneer in innovative entertainment, leisure and retail concepts, is setting new standards in the entertainment industry by introducing the concept of ‘premier boutique cinemas’ to the UAE.

The first ‘premier’ Reel Cinemas cineplex will open in Dubai Marina Mall on July 22, 2010. The six-screen new cineplex can seat 544 people, and marks the regional growth and expansion of Reel Entertainment LLC, a premier provider of high quality cinema experiences and a subsidiary of Emaar Retail LLC.

Reel Cinemas at Dubai Marina Mall will offer a convenient and luxury cinema choice for residents in New Dubai including the communities of Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lake Towers and Jebel Ali, as well as visitors from Abu Dhabi.

With the opening of the new cineplex at Dubai Marina Mall, Reel Entertainment LLC is moving to the next level in the theatre experience, bringing unmatched luxury to cinemas by focusing on offering a premier lifestyle choice for visitors.

This follows the setting of industry standards with the Reel Cinemas megaplex at The Dubai Mall, the largest of its kind in the region.

Mr Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Retail LLC, said: “The entertainment industry of Dubai is fast-gaining global recognition, with initiatives like film festivals and the emergence of a regional film production industry. This is complemented by world-class venues that offer a differential lifestyle experience.”

He added: “Reel Cinemas has already established industry benchmarks with the opening of our flagship 22-screen megaplex in The Dubai Mall. As we expand to Dubai Marina Mall, we have further scaled up the experience offered to visitors with the ‘Premier’ cinemas, which will serve as a referral point for the industry.”

All the six cinemas in the new cineplex at Dubai Marina Mall are exceptional in terms of ergonomics, offering cushy recliner seats that will assure a luxury cinema experience for visitors. They can also enjoy gourmet food and beverages delivered to their seats, marking a new trend in the film circuit in the region. Blankets and pillows are also provided for moviegoers at a nominal charge.

Reel Cinemas at Dubai Marina Mall is located on level 2 of the shopping and leisure destination. It follows the Hollywood Chic design concept that adds to the ambience and appeal of the cinemas. All cinemas have state-of-the-art projection and audio visual systems. An online booking function will be created for guests to pre-purchase movie tickets.

Dubai Marina Mall, a lifestyle shopping destination for residents and visitors of the Dubai Marina community, features 160 stores. The mall provides an exciting mix of tenants and includes supermarkets, fashion wear, accessories, jewellers, boutiques, book and toy shops and music centres.
 

Grand Cinemas at Ibn Battuta Mall celebrates record for weekend cinema admissions

Nakheel Retail today announced that Grand Cinemas at Ibn Battuta Mall has smashed its record for admissions over a single weekend, with over 21,000 people flocking to watch films there on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 June 2009.Moviegoers eager to be among the first to catch Transformers 2 on its opening weekend helped to catapult Grand Cinemas to the top of last weekend’s charts for admissions to the movie’s opening across the UAE. The cinema saw 12,045 admissions to watch this latest Hollywood blockbuster.Brett Judd, Head of Entertainment, Leisure & Marketing, Retailcorp comments: “This is a fantastic result for Grand Cinemas and Ibn Battuta Mall. As well as continually attracting new visitors, we have built up a loyal base of regular customers and we continue to be top choice for movie-goers from across Dubai.“Ibn Batutta Mall really complements Grand Cinemas 21 movie screens with plenty of easy parking, the wide range of shops, restaurants and leisure facilities. All of this makes Ibn Battuta Mall a terrific environment for families of all ages”.Grand Cinemas is set to continue to attract movie goers this summer with host a great films including the exclusive UAE premier Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince in IMAX 3D on July 15 and as part of Ibn Battuta Mall’s Summer Fiesta there is Kids Classic Film Festival giving people the chance to see their favourite films from past and present up on the big screen at only AED 25 per person including cinema ticket, popcorn and soda. The kid’s classic promotion runs from Sunday – Thursday at 5pm, until 25 July.Ibn Battuta Mall is the world’s largest themed shopping mall. Uniquely designed to celebrate the travels of the famous Arabic explorer Ibn Battuta, it features an exciting mix of over 275 retailers, 50 restaurants and food outlets, 21 cinema screens including the UAE’s only IMAX 3D theatre and a continual array of events and promotions.