Advised Qatar Media on the acquisition of Gulf Film and Grand Cinemas
The Commercial Driver
The government-owned Qatar Media Services, wished to continue its regional expansion in the entertainment arena throughout the Middle East.
We advised on its acquisition of UAE-based Gulf Film, the main arab speaking film-distribution company and Grand Cinemas, the region’s leading cinema chain with 158 cinema screens, creating the leading film distribution and cinema chain in the Middle East.
Contact us for more information
How Del Canto Chambers delivered value
We established the governance structure, framework, policies and procedures, compliance and internal audit protocols for the holding company, as well as arrangements with the subsidiaries and joint ventures in the different GCC.
We also assisted with an inventory of all the films in Arab language distributed by the company which helped determine the value of the Intellectual Property of the transaction for balance sheet purposes.
We visited the main film studies and film festivals, including contacting the Big Five major film studios – Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, Columbia Pictures, and Paramount Pictures, agents and other producers to renegotiate distributor agreements in the Arab language as well as to study co-productions.
Designed a franchise structure to rename the cinema theatres under Novo Cinema brand, coordinating the creation of the operational manuals, policies, procedures, Intellectual Property usage and protection. Also advised on the legal and tax implications for both franchisor and franchisee.
The Result
Now successfully operating under the franchise Novo Cinemas, as part of its strategic growth plan in the region, it is the largest cinema chain in the Middle East.
Related Services
Why choose Del Canto Chambers?
Del Canto Chambers provides dual-qualified, multi-lingual tax lawyers, who have worked on over 500 cases throughout Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Asia, making us the counsel of choice for London-based and international clients, corporations, solicitors and tax advisers.
Major Cases
Corporate Cases
We have worked on several corporate cases including some of the worlds leading companies in media, luxury boats, football clubs, NGOs, investments and much more
