Together with Cineplexx International, the leading Austrian cinema operator is further expanding its operations within the SEE region. After just six months of construction, Cineplexx opened a state-of-the-art multiplex cinema in the third-largest Serbian city of Niš in mid-November. The movie theater offers five screens and the latest cutting-edge movie technology.
The cinema in Niš is the fourth location in Serbia operated by the family-owned Austrian company. In the past three years, two Cineplexx cinemas have been opened in Belgrade and one cinema in Kragujevac. The 11-screen cinema in Belgrade’s Usce Shopping Center is the largest movie theatre in Serbia.
“The opening in Niš highlights the continuation of our success story in Serbia. We expect up to 250,000 visitors every year”, said Christof Papousek, CFO and partner at Cineplexx International.
The movie theatre in Niš has more than 800 seats and is equipped with the newest cinema technology. All its screens are digitalized and feature 3D projection technology and the latest Dolby sound system; in addition to this, the largest screen also provides 4K and high-frame-rate technology.
Shortly after Niš, there was reason to celebrate in Pristina, the capital of the Republic of Kosovo. A 6-screen cinema with a total of 1,000 seats was opened in December in the Albi Mall. Moreover, a prize-winning object is also under construction: the “Belgrade Plaza” shopping center in the Serbian capital. This multiplex cinema will be equipped with cutting-edge VIP seats as well as 1,500 normal seats. The opening is planned for April 2017.
Cinemas indispensable for entertainment in malls in SEE
Since starting its expansion plans in 2009, Cineplexx has been able to continuously strengthen its position in Southeast Europe. In 2011, the group opened its first cinema in Croatia. The expansion in Serbia followed soon thereafter. In the meantime, the company is also present in Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, and Slovenia.
With the opening of a new cinema in Thessaloniki last year, the company entered the Greek market for the first time. “Our company is very well positioned in this region and we are market leaders in several countries. Cinemas are extremely popular in South East Europe.
An increasing number of shopping center operators therefore consider cinemas an indispensable element of entertainment,” commented Papousek at the opening in Niš. As of spring 2017, Cineplexx will become the largest cinema operator in the Western Balkan region, with a total of 20 cinemas in 10 SEE countries.
About Constantin Film Holding GmbH
