Lights, Camera, Novo! The Middle Eastern Cinema Chain Making Waves in Film Culture

Dedicated to offering the best cinematic experience in town, Novo Cinemas erupted quickly as one of the most popular cinema chains in the Middle East. The company, which had previously operated under the name Grand Cinemas, came up with the brand name Novo a few years ago in 2014, thereby obtaining a vibrant and modern brand image that marked it apart from all other cinema chains in Qatar, the UAE, and Oman. Novo Cinemas boasts high-tech theaters and luxurious service; it’s not just coming in to watch a movie but it is an entertainment destination.

Starting in Doha, Novo Cinemas have embodied the innovation of movie going with the ability to stay cutting edge in changing audiences’ demands. Novo’s cinemas express the latest developments in cinema technology-from the most immersive IMAX experiences to VIP seating and gourmet concessions- and have thus brought Hollywood glamour and cinematic updates into the region, thereby redefining entertainment standards.

Novo Cinemas, from the ELAN Group, believe they can do more than just a multiplex because each patron leaves feeling a bit part of Novo or at least remembering their night. Everything-the ambiance of their cinemas to the delivery of their service-is all thoughtfully crafted to bring about increased engagement and satisfaction. ELAN’s efforts bring together innovation, entertainment, and hospitality.

This was a transitional year for the company in 2014 when it comes to rebranding, while Grand Cinemas was already a common name, though the leading cinema house in the region changed that and espoused the movie viewing philosophy ushered under the umbrella of Novo Cinemas into the Gulf region. Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen, CEO of Novo Cinemas, has revolutionized Novo Cinemas. She led the company to new heights and was described as ‘Female CEO of the Year’ in regional film industry. Under her sure leadership, the company adopted a dynamic and consumer-sensitive model for its operations.

Grand Cinemas was already well-known in the region due to its launch in 2000 in Dubai. This chain expanded to introduce IMAX to the Middle East as the first cinema for Ibn Battuta Mall, showcasing the brand’s ambition in delivering world-class film experiences that laid the bedrock for its rebranding success under the name Novo. This continued to enable Grand Cinemas to continue running independently in Lebanon by the founder of Gulf Film LLC, Selim Ramia. Novo cinemas, on its own house brand, also continued to grow.

Novo cinemas is now trend leader in the entertainment industries where it has audiences of diversity with premium movies. Novo cinemas thus attracts local as well as international consumers due to its robust slate blockbuster movies, regional titles as well as alternative content. It has full sensory experiences for a movie lover, from a high-end screening room up to recliner seats. You can watch your movie at your preference via private suites.

Novo Cinemas will be a place of memories, not just another location to watch a movie. For example, VIP suites are offered with all luxuries that make viewing exclusive and personal because of a waiter service at your beck and call. They pay attention to details like seating, sound, and picture to ensure that audiences are transported into the world they are watching.

Novo Cinemas would shape the region’s future of cinema in its own way as they merge tradition with modernity while bringing something new to the entertainment world. Be a blockbuster fan or an independent movie goer or simply somebody searching for a good quality night out, Novo Cinema has the tech and touch to it; cinematic evolution of film viewing is rewriting the movie going culture across the Middle East.

This has been the mantra of Novo Cinemas in focusing on quality service, technological innovations, and engaging the audience, making it a forerunner in the entertainment landscape of the Gulf. From an ambitious beginning to the day it stands as a successful reality, Novo Cinemas marks a true evolution in cinema that gives a unique movie-watching experience, continuing to awe and inspire audiences across the Middle East.