Industry News

Vista Cinema deployed in Saudi after 35-year cinema ban

Vista Cinema software has successfully been deployed in Saudi Arabian movie theatres as the country’s 35-year outlawing of cinemas comes to an end.

Vista Entertainment Solutions led the way supporting AMC Entertainment and the Development & Investment Entertainment Co., a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, to open the country’s first commercial cinema on April 18.

Vista Cinema is a leader in cinema management software solutions with installations in more than 90 countries around the world and an estimated 38 per cent global market share in the Large Cinema Circuit market.

Jason Cole, vice president of mergers & acquisitions and international procurement at AMC Theatres, said: “The spirit of cooperation and collaboration with Vista on the Saudi opening was nothing less than amazing. AMC would not have been able to accomplish so much in so little time without such a committed and innovative partner.”

Less than two weeks after the kingdom’s first public cinema screening, VOX also opened its doors to a four-screen multiplex in Riyadh Park. The region’s largest exhibitor is using Vista’s technology across their cinemas in the Gulf region to bring a seamless cinematic experience to their moviegoers.

Cameron Mitchell, chief executive of VOX Cinemas, said they are looking to move forward and invest $533m to open 600 screens across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the next five years.

Kimbal Riley, chief executive of Vista Group, said: “We thank the Saudi government and our partners at AMC and VOX for the faith they have placed in us. We’re committed to supporting other leading industry players seeking new opportunities in this exciting growth market and we’re delighted with the contribution we have made thus far.”

Mischa Kay, managing director, Vista EMEA, said: “We’re excited to have played a part in such a historic milestone in Saudi Arabia. Our industry-leading cinema management software fully supports Arabic as an operational language and is integrated into the portal of the General Commission for Audiovisual Media (GCAM), with whom we worked very closely to provide accurate reporting.”

Image: CchrisS