The Saudi Arabia-based joint venture will focus on western, Arabic language and Japanese anime theatrical releases across the kingdom, with Liam Neeson's 'The Marksman' the first out of the blocks.
Mid East distributor and rising producer Front Row Filmed Entertainment has teamed with Saudi Arabian theater chain Muvi Cinemas on a new Saudi-based distribution company.
The joint-venture, Front Row Arabia, is set to focus on western, Arabic language and Japanese anime theatrical releases across the kingdom, with its first release being the Liam Neeson actioner The Marksman on Jan. 21.
The deal marks the first time a regional distributor has joined forces with an exhibitor in Saudi Arabia, a move that should give Front Row’s titles extra exposure in a country where cinemagoing has soared since theaters first reopened in 2018.
The only homegrown Saudi chain, Mubi currently operates in 10 locations in six cities, with a total of 103 screens. It has plans to expand to more than 610 screens by 2025.
Front Row, meanwhile, acquires more than 100 titles a year for the Middle East and North Africa, with 45 distributed theatrically. Its deal with Muvi emulates a similar model it forged with the Kuwait National Cinema Company, which currently controls 86 percent of the Kuwait theatrical market share.
Just before lockdown, Front Row teamed with the Kuwait National Cinema Company to release the Arabic-language title El Folos, which became the highest-grossing Arabic film of all time in the Gulf.
"Saudi Arabia is the growing market of the region and we are happy to add another valuable piece to our distribution network through this joint venture with Muvi Cinemas," said Gianluca Chakra, CEO of Front Row. "This will offer our current and future partners the most efficient and complete all-rights distribution set up in the Middle East."
Added Sultain Alhokair, Muvi Cinemas CEO: "We have been monitoring Front Row’s activity for quite a while and their diversity, innovative business model and future plans are very much aligned with our vision which includes distribution of Hollywood, local language content and beyond. We cannot wait to start this venture together and contribute to the expansion of the entertainment sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."
The deal was negotiated between Chakra, president Hisham AlGhanim and COO Nicolas Torloting for Front Row and Alhokair, COO Adon Quinn and development director Majed Bahaffi for Muvi. Legal advisors Abdulaziz Alajlan & Partners in association with Baker & McKenzie Limited are advising Muvi on the legal aspects of the transaction.
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January 13, 2021 at 10:00PM
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Mideast Distributor Front Row Forms Saudi Venture With Exhibitor Muvi - Hollywood Reporter
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