2026 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
| Day 1 ::: Tuesday, 18 August 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 9.00 am onwards | TRADE SHOW & CONVENTION REGISTRATION | |
| 10.00 am – 7.30 pm | TRADE SHOW | |
| Movie Trailers between presentation slots The convention theatre is equipped with: Projection Partner – Christie Digital Sound & Integration Partner – GM Audio Server & Content Partner – Qube Cinema Screen Partner – Galalite Screens Stage Seating Partner – Pen Workers Seating | ||
| CAFÉ by Pulz Electronics | ||
| 10.00 – 11.00 am | BIG CINE EXPO 2026 – INAUGURAL CEREMONY | |
| 11:00 – 11:45 am | Panel DiscussionRECLAIMING THE MASSES: MAKING CINEMA AFFORDABLE IN THE CURRENT ERAAs entertainment choices continue to expand, affordability has become central to attracting and retaining cinema audiences. This panel explores how exhibitors can balance consumer value with operational sustainability through smarter pricing, data-driven scheduling, right-sized cinema formats, technology-enabled ticketing, targeted promotions, subscription models, flexible F&B offerings, and curated programming. Panellists will discuss how dynamic and neighbourhood-based pricing can maximise occupancy, enhance the guest experience, and help exhibitors—from premium multiplexes to regional circuits—respond to changing consumer behaviour, compete with OTT platforms, and build commercially sustainable models that make cinema more accessible without compromising profitability. Panellists: Akkshay Rathie – Director, Aashirwad Theatres Devang Sampat – Managing Director, Cinépolis India Lovey Dua – Business Head, District Movies Rahul Puri – Managing Director, Mukta A2 Cinemas Thomas D’Souza – Senior Vice President, Programming, PVR-INOX Moderator: Vanita Kohli Khandekar – Columnist and Writer & Contributing Editor, Business Standard | |
| 11:50 am – 12:10 pm | PresentationBEYOND THE SCREEN: LEVERAGING TECH TO ELEVATE F&B AND THE CINEMA EXPERIENCEModern cinema is no longer just about what’s on the screen; it’s about complete experience. As moviegoers demand higher convenience and premium hospitality, Food & Beverage (F&B) has emerged as a crucial driver of audience engagement and theatre profitability. This session explores how cutting-edge technology, smart ordering ecosystems, and tech-driven dining experiences can transform cinema concessions into high-margin culinary destinations — driving incremental revenue and turning occasional moviegoers into loyal patrons. Presenter: Swapnil Bajpai – Chief Executive Officer, Swiggy Dineout & Scenes | |
| 12:15 – 1:00 pm | Panel DiscussionTECH VS. TEXTURE: DOES PREMIUM TECHNOLOGY DELIVER A PREMIUM EXPERIENCE?The definition of a premium cinema experience continues to evolve as advancements in projection, immersive sound, HDR, LED displays, and next-generation presentation technologies reshape exhibition. This panel explores how studios, technology providers, post-production experts, distributors, and exhibitors collectively create premium experiences—from content creation and mastering to distribution, playback, and auditorium design. Discussions will examine whether emerging technologies truly enhance storytelling, audience expectations, and box office performance, while exploring operational innovation, accessibility, guest comfort, hospitality, architectural design, and social spaces that together create differentiated cinema destinations delivering lasting value beyond the screen. Panellists: Ashim Mathur – Vice President Marketing APAC, Dolby Laboratories Girish Johar – Head -Distribution & Revenues, Zee Studios Jyesth Narang – Executive Director, Asian Cinemas Senthil Kumar – Co-Founder, Qube Cinema VRR Satish Kumar – Managing Director, Broadway Cinemas Moderator: Akkshay Rathie – Director, Aashirwad Theatres | |
| 1:00 – 2:00 pm | LUNCH (Food Court will be open from 12:30pm to 2:30pm) | |
| 2:15 – 3:15 pm | PRESENTATION | |
| 3:25 – 3:45 pm | PresentationMAKING BIG SCREEN EXPERIENCE MORE PREMIUM (PLF)Presenter: Pradeep Shetty, – Business Head, Magnova by UFO Moviez | |
| 3:45 – 4:30 pm | Panel DiscussionICTA’S CINEMA 2030: OPERATING MODEL OF THE FUTUREThis forward-looking panel explores how integrating artificial intelligence, smart automation, and data-driven analytics can streamline operations. Discover key actionable insights on balancing high-tech efficiencies with immersive, premium cinema experiences, equipping exhibitors with the tools needed to drive profitability, engage modern moviegoers, and future-proof their overall business model. Panellists: Anish Patel – Founder & Director, Connplex Cinemas Dr. Hitesh Bedi – Head of Technology, Cinépolis India Karthikeyan S – Managing Director, Sri Sakthi Cinemas Krishna Rao C H – Director, BD and Marketing, DRC Cinemas Satwik Lele – Chief Operating Officer, Mukta A2 Cinemas Moderator: Karan Taurani – Executive VP (Media, Retail, Consumer Discretionary & Internet), Elara Capital | |
| 4:30 – 5:00 pm | QUBE CINEMA – PARTNER FELICITATION | |
| 5:00 – 6:00 pm | IMAX BIG CINE AWARDS 2026 Special Achievement Award – Shri. Rakesh RoshanMost Trusted Brand – DistrictIndia’s Top Multiplex Chain of the Year – PVR-INOX / Cinepolis IndiaBest Technology Adopter of the Year – AMB CinemasInnovative Technology of the Year – HDR By BarcoBest Multiplex Theatre of the Year – Miraj Cinemas, Patiala / Rakki Cinemas, Chennai / E-Square, V J Happiness Street, PuneBest Cinema Theatre in Tier-2 City – Ruby Movie Magic, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh / Palaxi Cinemas, Thrissur, Kerala / Kelvin Gold Cinema, Guwahati, AssamBest Single-Screen Theatre of the Year – Roopbani Cinema, Purnia, Bihar / Mukta A2 Bharathmata, MumbaiEmerging Cinema Chain of the Year – Citypride MultiplexEmerging Regional Cinema Chain of the Year – Bharath CinemasExperiential Cinema Excellence Award – Roongta CinemasFastest Growing Cinema Chain of the Year – Connplex CinemasMost Impactful Cinema Chain of the Year – Rajhans CinemasBest Debut Multiplex Chain of the Year – Starline CinemasBig Screen Cinema Visionary Award – Ar. Eranna YekboteNext-Gen Cinema Entrepreneur Award – Tejal Satish & Neha Satish, Broadway Cinemas | |
| 6:00 pm onwards | HAPPY HOURS ON TRADE SHOW FLOOR | |
| 7:30 pm | TRADE SHOW CLOSES FOR THE DAY | |
| Day 2 ::: Wednesday, 19 August 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 10.00 am – 6.00 pm | TRADE SHOW | |
| Movie Trailers between presentation slotsThe convention theatre is equipped with:Projection Partner – Christie Digital Sound & Integration Partner – GM Audio Server & Content Partner – Qube Cinema Screen Partner – Galalite Screens Stage Seating Partner – Pen Workers Seating | ||
| CAFÉ by Pulz Electronics | ||
| 11:15 am – 12:05 pm | PresentationBARCO: LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES, UNLIMITED EXPERIENCESPresenter: Serge Plasch, – SVP Global Sales, Barco Cinema | |
| 12:05 – 1.00 pm | Panel DiscussionCRACKING AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: MICRO-TARGETING INDIA’S DIVERSE DEMOGRAPHICSAs entertainment choices continue to expand, affordability has become central to attracting and retaining cinema audiences. This panel explores how exhibitors can balance consumer value with operational sustainability through smarter pricing, data-driven scheduling, right-sized cinema formats, technology-enabled ticketing, targeted promotions, subscription models, flexible F&B offerings, and curated programming. Panellists will discuss how dynamic and neighbourhood-based pricing can maximise occupancy, enhance the guest experience, and help exhibitors—from premium multiplexes to regional circuits—respond to changing consumer behaviour, compete with OTT platforms, and build commercially sustainable models that make cinema more accessible without compromising profitability. Panellists: Jeyaraj Subramanian – Zonal Chief Manager – Business Development, Khushi Advertising Mayank Shroff – Head – Film Programming & Distribution, Cinépolis India Muhamed Fawaz – Chief Executive Officer, HiLITE Malls and Retail Pradeep Shetty – Business Head – Dy. CEO – Digital Media & Entertainment, UFO Moviez Sameer Munshi – Chief Operating Officer, Miraj Cinemas SBP Pattabhi Rama Rao – Managing Partner, Gourmet Popcornica Moderator: Suchin Mehrotra – Film Critic & Journalist, The Hollywood Reporter | |
| 1:00 – 2:00 pm | LUNCH (Food Court will be open from 12:30pm to 2:30pm) | |
| 2:00 pm onwards | NETWORKING ON THE TRADESHOW FLOOR | |
| 6:00 pm | TRADE SHOW CLOSING | |
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