Dubai, UAE: The 7th META Cinema Forum kicked off today at the Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, bringing together cinema leaders and innovators from across the META region. Opening with remarks from Lara Tan, Conference Director at Great Minds Group, and Paul Schwarz, Technical Director at Dubai Acoustic Research Laboratory, the forum set a strong tone for exploring the future of cinema in the Middle East and Africa.

The first day included a panel discussion that addressed the role of government and new strategies aimed at fostering a holistic film culture and supporting the movie industry alongside the creative economy. The discussion covered various aspects, including the establishment of new authorities and mandates, funding institutions, state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure, and educational platforms to nurture talent. Moderated by Rory McLoughlin, Founder of Like Minds, the panel featured industry leaders Sameer Al Jaberi, Nader Al Rawahy, Georges Khouri, and Nancy Paton.