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28 March 2024

Hollywood premieres for Dubai with MAF, 20th Century Fox tie-up?

Published

The element of ‘live’ action and adventure will take on a whole new meaning for UAE film fans, as Majid Al Futtaim and Twentieth Century Fox launch a new partnership to provide four dimensional entertainment that would include red-carpet premieres, live stage shows and a chance to meet some of the starry A-listers in Hollywood.

Calling it a “first of its kind partnership in the world”, Cameron Mitchell, CEO, MAF cinemas, launched the tie-up with the blue carpet premiere of ‘Rio 2’  on April 8 at Vox Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates, with a live stage show featuring the characters of the hit animated film that he expects will run at least 10-15 weeks in UAE cinemas, drawing nearly 200,000 admissions.

The sequel to the hit animated film is releasing in UAE cinemas on April 10.

Speaking further about the partnership, Mitchell said: “This is a milestone for MAF, Twentieth Century Fox and local distributors Empire with ‘Rio 2’ being the first presentation of this strategic alliance.

“With this partnership, we allowed customers to win 1,000 premiere tickets across five malls, interact with the film’s characters, enjoy stage shows across malls and created a money can’t buy prize scenario.

“Premiere ticket holders are automatically eligible to win a chance to visit Blue Sky Studios in New York where ‘Rio 2’ was made.”

Mitchell said what has started with the UAE will expand across the region.

When quizzed whether these UAE premieres could possibly see celebrities walk the red carpet here, Mitchell did not rule it out, saying: “At the moment, this is the first of many things to come. We will soon launch an advertisement of the next ‘X-Men’ film with an exclusive from Hugh Jackman.

“With movies such as ‘X-Men’ and ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ releasing over the course of the year with the production house, we are trying to create whatever synergy we can – be it by showing exclusive footage of a film to fans or attempting to get celebs here or flying people to Hollywood.”

Mitchell also reiterated that such premiere events will be free to the public with chances to win invites, as opposed to charging premium to attend such events.

Meanwhile, families with children that would want to catch the ‘Rio 2’ road show live across UAE can head to Mirdif City Centre on April 10 and 11, Deira City Centre on April 17 and 18, Fujairah City Centre on April 24 and 25 and Ajman City Centre on April 26 and 27.