Cinepax, a cinema chain in Pakistan, has announced a joint venture with StarzPlay, a fast growing subscription video on demand (SVOD) service in MENA, to launch “StarzPlay by Cinepax.” The new service will grant subscribers access to thousands of hours of blockbuster hits from Pakistani cinema, Hollywood and Bollywood, as well as kids’ programs.
“This landmark joint venture with Cinepax marks StarzPlay’s first launch outside the MENA region and will elevate our potential consumer reach from 350 million to over 500 million,” said Maaz Sheikh, co-founder and CEO of StarzPlay. “We’ve been looking forward to launching in Pakistan for a while; and a partnership with such a well-known name in the entertainment industry as Cinepax is the perfect way to kick off an exciting relationship with our customers in the country. This partnership will also help our studio partners in legitimizing such a heavily-pirated market.”
Arif Baigmohamad, chairman of Cinepax Group, said: “While Cinepax has a superb reputation for entertaining our Pakistani audience with an impressive supply of movies, our partnership with StarzPlay will help to strengthen our growing movie business and allow customers to livestream top content from a number of different devices. ‘StarzPlay by Cinepax’ is a compelling business opportunity to provide a high-quality StarzPlay service for both the mass and premium market segments.”
StarzPlay partners with Pakistani cinema chain Cinepax
StarzPlay partners with Pakistani cinema chain Cinepax
Zayed National Museum Opens in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District
Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the United Arab Emirates and centerpiece of Saadiyat Cultural District, opened to the public Saturday.
The museum offers visitors a journey through the history of the UAE, from the earliest evidence of human habitation to the civilizations that shaped its culture and identity. It serves as a cultural bridge connecting the seven emirates, emphasizing their shared history and heritage.
The museum highlights the story of the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, presenting his life as a lens through which to explore the values and aspirations that underpin the nation.
Zayed National Museum features more than 1,500 objects across six permanent galleries, combining archaeological artifacts, historic objects, audiovisual and sensory experiences, contemporary installations and reconstructions. The visitor journey begins at the 600-meter outdoor Al Masar Garden and continues through galleries dedicated to Sheikh Zayed’s life, the UAE’s natural landscapes and the history of human habitation, with archaeological discoveries spanning 300,000 years.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “As the national museum of the United Arab Emirates, Zayed National Museum tells the unfolding story of the land and its people. It demonstrates the unifying power of our history and our culture, providing a space where citizens, residents and visitors can see themselves reflected in the story of our people and our land. Bridging past, present and future, it will help shape how we understand the UAE’s evolving cultural narrative.”
Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, the museum’s opening marks a new chapter in the nation’s cultural legacy. It follows a landmark year that saw the openings of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi in Saadiyat Cultural District, as well as the reopening of Al Ain Museum.
Monthlong Opening Program
To mark the milestone, Zayed National Museum is hosting a program of performances, workshops and cultural activities through Dec. 31 under the theme “Deep Roots and Everlasting Legacy.”
The program includes traditional Razfa and Naashat dances; an immersive Gahwa experience designed with Bait Al Gahwa, accompanied by poetry, Taghrooda music, Nahma seafaring chants and the Nadba mountain call; poetry performances; and musical recitals. Hands-on workshops will explore traditional crafts and arts inspired by the museum’s collections. Tours and workshops require advance booking.
The museum’s retail shop, Al Nagwa Boutique, offers a curated selection of gifts and souvenirs. Dining options include Erth Restaurant, Al Ghaf Cafe and the Garden Cafes.
Tickets and annual memberships are available at www.zayednationalmuseum.ae.
