Gulf Cinema complex to be ‘revitalised’

Efforts are on to revitalise the historic Gulf Cinema Complex, once a vibrant cultural hub frequented by locals and expats alike.In this regard, Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution Company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Qatar Museums (QM) to bring new life to the complex, which originally opened to the public in 1972 as Doha’s first cinema.This MoU will advance the preservation and rehabilitation efforts of the complex, striving to restore its past grandeur while integrating contemporary advancements and technology as well as feature a Cinematique Museum, the first of its kind in the country.The proposed museum will be complemented by studio spaces, a media/film library, a grand theatre, food and beverage venues, and more. The Doha Film Institute will have an essential role in realising this vision, bringing in expertise and programming to ensure the success of the project. QM will oversee the display of its unique film collections, ensuring the authentic adaptive reuse of the complex.The MoU signifies QM’s commitment to reviving the influential role of cultural institutions, and aims to revitalise the complex that was once a cornerstone of local film culture and restore its former glory.This initiative also marks a significant step towards QM’s goal of preserving Qatar’s rich cultural heritage while simultaneously adapting to the modern needs of today’s film and media industry.The revitalising initiative aims to retain the original heritage building’s essence, making it suitable for modern use without diminishing its historical value.The board of directors had presented a proposal to the QM regarding the rehabilitation of the Gulf Cinema building. The proposal includes adding real estate investments in the entertainment sector while preserving the exterior of the building, in accordance with the vision of the QM to preserve the building due to its historical, cultural, and social significance, as well as its classification within the Qatari heritage. To Page 2Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution Company operates four cinemas, three of which are in commercial complexes, in addition to one distinctive cinema in the cultural district of Katara that was opened in the third quarter of previous year. Cinema revenues account for 30% of total revenues, its chairman Mohamed Ali al-Sulaiti, said in the board of directors’ report for 2023.The company also achieved a 59% increase in operational performance for its cinemas during 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, attributed to the addition of new cinemas.The company reported 17.7% year-on-year increase in net profit to QR2.35mn in the first quarter of 2024 and earnings-per-share was QR0.037.