Lumina Search
Our client is a major Middle East group with multiple leisure-sector interests including film exhibition and distribution. The company acquires its own films for distribution in the region and also distributes on behalf of two Major US Studios.
The ROLE
Reporting to the Head of Sales & Distribution, you will be expected to develop excellent working relationships with exhibitor programming teams / cinema managers across a number of Gulf markets, and some further afield.
You will ensure film bookings are optimal and the best possible terms negotiated – and that in-cinema exposure (including trailers, posters, custom installations, etc.) is maximised.
Ultimately, you will ensure each film reaches its full revenue potential.
You will also
Contribute to dating/release strategies
Estimate film performance, i.e. opening weekend box office, full-run forecasts, etc
Provide insights and analysis on local market trends and aim to identify new opportunities for the company
Work closely with the Technical Operations Manager to plan distribution requirements for each film’s release, including censorship and version/format (3D, IMAX etc.) requirements
Oversee the Logistics Exec in ensuring all materials reach their destination ahead of schedule and within budget
Manage the Snr Sales & Distribution Exec, Middle East, who is responsible for ensuring all the US Studio’s Sales systems are updated each week, as well as internal company tools
Travel as needed to censorship screenings in territories, sharing feedback with the Technical Operations Manager regarding edit requirements
Review Arabic trailer and feature subtitles (if possible)
Person PROFILE
To succeed in this role, you must have prior experience in the international entertainment sector – ideally in film distribution, with a good working knowledge of the film distribution process and of the relationships between distributors and exhibitors.
If you have experience in a regional office dealing with multiple international markets, so much the better
Arabic language skills would be useful for this role but they are not essential (if not Arabic, then other language skills will be regarded positively). Regardless, you must have an international outlook and be used to and tolerant of different cultures and attitudes.
You must be numerate, with an analytical mind and entrepreneurial mindset. You must also have advanced Excel skills and be able to device detailed but comprehensible spreadsheets.