Saudi arabia finance

AMC Entertainment said Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN) will buy out its investment in movie theater venture, Saudi Cinema Company, for $30 million. AMC said the agreement calls for it to transition from a management and investment role in SCC to “a pure licensing relationship.” Current AMC Cinemas and future locations operated by SCC will retain the AMC Cinemas name and other IP through the licensing agreement. The deal dates back to 2017 when AMC entered a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia to explore bringing theatrical exhibition to the Kingdom for the first time since the 1980s. AMC hosted the country’s first movie screening in 2018 at King Abdullah Financial District, Riyadh. It partnered with Saudi Entertainment Ventures to form SCC to develop and operate additional locations across the Kingdom. During the next four years, in collaboration with SEVEN, AMC opened another 12 locations with more in the … [Read more...] about AMC Entertainment Sells Stake In Saudi Arabia Theater Venture To Local Partner For $30 Million

After bursting out of the gate in India and 100 other markets last Wednesday, Shah Rukh Khan -starrer Pathaan finished its five-day opening weekend with an astonishing $66.24M worldwide (including $25.5M from outside India). Along the way, it broke several records including setting the biggest opening weekend of all time for a Bollywood film in India, North America and the UAE, as well as the top start for any Indian title in the UK, Australia, Germany and more. (See a full rundown below). The action-packed espionage pic, directed by Siddharth Anand and also starring Deepika Padukone and John Abraham , marked a huge comeback for SRK who had been absent from the big screen in a lead role for four years. It also gave a needed shot in the arm to Bollywood, whose industry has had a rough run of late. When adding in Monday’s figures, Pathaan is at $72.1M global including 367 crore ($45M) gross from India. Overseas, it’s logged $27.6M through Monday. The … [Read more...] about Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Pathaan’ Makes Box Office History For Bollywood & India Around The Globe – Opening Weekend Records List

NBCUniversal ’s advertising and partnerships group has formalized a new executive structure reflecting its recent moves to streamline efforts in broadcast, cable, sports and streaming. In a blog post, Linda Yaccarino , chairman of global advertising and partnerships, said the new setup aims to “continue mirroring how our customers use One Platform,” the company’s system for advertisers. The changes come as the company is looking to fortify its resources in data, distribution, ad tech, commercial innovation and measurement. NBCU is getting set to host its annual developer conference, One23, next month ahead of NewFronts and upfront presentations in May. While the blog post does not cite any departures from the ranks, some contraction has rippled through the total NBCU workforce in recent months, including in sales, amid an overall downturn in ad spending. Yaccarino’s longtime deputy, Laura Molen, recently announced plans to exit by the end of March. At the same … [Read more...] about NBCUniversal Ad Group Formalizes New Exec Structure, Streamlining Efforts Across Broadcast, Sports, Cable & Streaming

EXCLUSIVE: Danny Trejo and Joel McHale have been unveiled as key supporting cast members of Stimson Snead’s sci-fi comedy Tim Travers & The Time Traveler’s Paradox , which wrapped in Spokane Washington earlier this month. Guerrilla Rep Media, which is overseeing marketing and distribution, is gearing up to give buyers giving a sneak peek of the feature at the Berlinale ’s European Film Market in February. The feature expands on Snead’s award-winning short of the same name. Samuel Dunning ( Blue Bloods) stars as a narcissistic, genius but broke scientist who seeks to solve the paradox of what happens to your past self when a future version travels backwards in time. His work attracts the attention of the head of a mercenary army played by Machete star Trejo. McHale ( Community, The Great Indoors ) plays a conspiracy theorist radio host whose interviews with the scientist protagonist on his mind-bending work frame the narrative. North by … [Read more...] about Danny Trejo & Joel McHale Join Sci-Fi Comedy ‘Tim Travers & The Time Traveler’s Paradox’ – EFM

EXCLUSIVE : Roadside Attractions has snapped up North American rights to the comedy My Happy Ending , toplined by four-time Golden Globe nominee Andie MacDowell ( Maid ). The film directed by Tal Granit and Sharon Maymon will be released exclusively in theaters nationwide on February 24 — contending on its opening weekend with Uni’s Cocaine Bear , Shout! Studios’ sci-fi dramedy Linoleum , Warner Bros.’ animated title Mummies and Lionsgate’s Jesus Revolution , among other titles. My Happy Ending follows a famous actor (MacDowell) who goes incognito to seek treatment for a medical issue. While at the hospital, she meets three unique and remarkable women — an aging rocker, a young mother, and a forever-single, retired schoolteacher. Together, they help her face adversity with humor and camaraderie while coaching her for the most challenging role she has ever played…herself. Rona Tamir adapted the screenplay for the Israeli/UK co-production, based on … [Read more...] about Andie MacDowell Comedy ‘My Happy Ending’ Acquired By Roadside Attractions

The Qatar Investment Authority has joined Providence Equity Partners and Apollo as a major investor in The North Road Company , the global, multi-genre studio launched last year by Peter Chernin . The $150 million from QIA will support the firm’s ongoing expansion, building on launch funds that included up to $500 million from Providence and $300 million in debt financing from Apollo to grow North Road, whose companies include Chernin Entertainment ( Planet of the Apes trilogy, Ford V Ferrari, Hidden Figures, New Girl ); Words + Pictures, founded by the creators of 30 for 30, The Last Dance, and O.J.: Made in America ; Kinetic Content ; Left Right Productions; and 44 Blue ( Love Is Blind , The Ultimatum, Married at First Sight, The Circus ). A London-based international division focuses on global acquisitions and co-productions. “QIA’s investment enables North Road to capitalize even further on the growing demand for premium, independent content. Building on … [Read more...] about Peter Chernin Content Studio North Road Secures $150 Million From Qatar Investment Authority

After reigning over the box office for the past seven weekends, 20th Century Studios/Disney/Lightstorm’s four-time Oscar-nominated Avatar: The Way of Water will cede No. 1 to Universal’s M. Night Shyamalan thriller Knock at the Cabin , which is set to do $15 million-$17 million per tracking sources at 3,600 theaters. Reviews haven’t hit yet on the feature take of Paul Tremblay’s national bestseller The Cabin at the End of the World , and we won’t know until we’re in the thick of the weekend with audience exits whether this pic over-indexes or not. The better the surprise in a Shyamalan ending, the better the box office. Helping Knock at the Cabin ‘s ticket sales are Uni’s grab of PLF and Dolby auditoriums. The movie follows a girl and her parents who are taken hostage during their vacation by armed strangers who demand that the family make a choice to avert the apocalypse. Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Kristen Cui, Abby Quinn … [Read more...] about M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Knock At The Cabin’ To Knock ‘Avatar 2’ Out Of No. 1 Spot – Box Office Preview