Kuwait National Cinema Company (KNCC), Cinescape, was founded in October 5th 1954, and for more than half a century, has been the first exhibitor and distributor in the Gulf Region for Arabic, English, and Indian films. With more than 60 screens across more than 13 locations, KNCC became the Pioneer of the regions cinema industry and the prominent actor of the entertainment landscape in the State of Kuwait. In response to the development in the entertainment business globally, Commencing in 1996, KNCC used luxurious shopping centers as prime locations for multi-screen theaters dominating all major real-estate locations in Kuwait, and setting the stage for its regional expansion.
LEADERS OF TECHNOLOGY & CUSTOMER SERVICE
KNCC lead the way by introducing the first ever online booking system in 2001, before the Middle-East, Africa, and Eastern Europe, allowing movie-goers to pre-book tickets with the freedom of reserving their favorite seat via the internet and the Emirate of Dubai followed a couple of years later. In addition, the first and only call center in the region to date was launched in 2004 where movie-goers could book tickets, and have all their inquiries and concerns answered around the clock, and shortly after, KNCC became only the second country in the world to initiate SMS Mobile Booking system known as M-Net in 2005. With technology evolving rapidly, KNCC offered its customers the first Smart Phone application in 2011, which hit #1 in the Regional Store for Android and Apple users for more than 12 weeks with 60,000 plus downloads in the first 24 hours of its launch only and currently, the number stands at 350,000 users and counting (March 2015)! This cemented KNCC as the leader of the industry in offering a variety of methods to serve our movie-goers!
With more than 60 screens across 13 locations, KNCC initiated the Digital Cinema roll out in the MENA Region, followed by the first ever Arabic Digital Film, "Taymour Wa Shafeeqa" which showcased the future of film exhibition. Today, all theaters are equipped with Digital Cinema, offering 3D and 2D capabilities, and became the first in the region to operate a Digital IMAX screen and currently is the only one in the State of Kuwait and a second one is on the way.
ACQUISITION & DISTRIBUTION PIONEERS
In 2005, KNCC joined alliances with Front Row Filmed Entertainment, an established Film Distributor in the region which throughout the years, has proved to be one of the strongest Distribution companies in the Middle East to be affiliated with major Independent studios like Hammer Films, Exclusive Media Group, Bloom Entertainment, Embankment Films, Studio Ghibli.HanWay Films, Wild Bunch, Cinema Management Group, Film 4, Vertigo Films, Entertainment One, TF1 International, Pathe International, Studio Canal, Dream Catchers, Rai Trade, Highland Film Group, 6 Sales, ART and many more. The KNCC and Front Row partnership has further acquired and secured the distribution rights across the region, in particular to Western movies.
Since then, more than 6oo titles have been distributed and some of the biggest films have been released under the KNCC umbrella. When it comes to Arabic films, KNCC has been the leader in distributing the biggest blockbusters from Egyptian Cinema to the GCC, and to date has the biggest Arabic film library.
In 2013, KNCC joint ventured with Real Image Media Technologies, Front Row Filmed Entertainment and Golden Cinemas Dubai in creating REEL IMAGE MIDDLE EAST, a state of the art digital lab offering digital and post production services for the region as well as Internationally.
In 2014, Front Row Filmed Entertainment sealed a deal with iTunes under which it will act as an aggregator for independent Arabic and Bollywood distribution companies who aim to make their titles available across the Middle East and also worldwide.
LATEST & FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
After opening the two Theater landmarks, Cinescape The Avenues