Novo Cinemas is a movie theatre chain owned by ELAN Group operating in Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Oman. It is headquartered in Doha and considered one of the larger cinema chains in the Middle East.[2][3]
 | |
| Formerly | Grand Cinemas |
|---|---|
| Company type | Private company |
| Founded | 15 May 2000 |
Number of locations | 15 |
Area served | |
Key people | Jaber Al Ansari, Group CEO, ELAN Group[1] |
| Owner | ELAN Group |
| Website | novocinemas |
It was previously known as Grand Cinemas since 2000 until it relaunched on 6 May 2014 under the Novo Cinemas name,[3] with theatres located in Qatar,[4] Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.[5]
Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen, CEO of Novo Cinemas, has been crowned ‘Female CEO of the Year’ at a prestigious industry award for her outstanding contribution to the regional film industry.
Despite the 2014 rebrand, the Grand Cinemas brand itself continues to exist as a separate corporate entity based in Lebanon, owned by Selim Ramia & Co., one of the co-founders and former executives of Gulf Film LLC.[6][7]
History
editThe Grand Cinemas brand name was launched in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 2000.
In July 2005, Grand Cinemas launched the first IMAX in the Middle East at Ibn Battuta Mall Megaplex in Dubai; which eventually closed on 31 July 2024.[8][9]
In July 2007, the Grand Cinemas franchise expands into Lebanon under the ownership of local businessman Selim Ramia, one of the co-founders of the Gulf Film LLC Group. The company continues presently as an independent entity despite the 2014 rebrand in the U.A.E.[10]
It was relaunched on 6 May 2014 as Novo Cinemas.[11] In 2024, Novo Cinemas ceased operation in several malls in Dubai, including Ibn Battuta Mall.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Jaber Al Ansari". Entrepreneur Middle East. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
- ^ "Revealed: New Novo Cinema in Dubai - This is what the new Novo Cinemas location in Dubai will look like". timeoutdubai.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2015. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
- ^ a b "Grand Cinemas Announces Rebranding as Novo Cinemas; Presenting a new and Innovative Cinematic Experience". Retrieved 2018-05-30.
- ^ "Novo Cinemas IMAX "The Pearl"". imax.com. Archived from the original on 2015-10-06. Retrieved 2019-09-16.
- ^ "Grand Cinemas Appoints New CEO Ahead Of Expansion". 2013-12-11. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ "Treat for movie buffs as IMAX, Novo 7-star open in Bahrain". www.tradearabia.com. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ "For Novo, it is going to be more than just cinema". gulfnews.com. 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ "IMAX Theater - Grand Megaplex - Ibn Battuta Mall [Dubai] - TEN Movies". movies.theemiratesnetwork.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
- ^ "Dubai: Cinema at popular mall 'permanently closed'". Khaleej Times. 9 August 2024.
- ^ "Grand Cinemas relaunches as Novo". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ "Grand Cinemas relaunches as Novo". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ "Dubai: Cinema at popular mall 'permanently closed'". Retrieved 7 November 2024.