Chennai, Aug 18: The 9th edition of Big Cine Expo 2026, Asia and India’s dedicated convention and trade show for the cinema exhibition and theatrical distribution industry, opened on 18 August 2026 at Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai, bringing together cinema exhibitors, distributors, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, studios, consultants and industry stakeholders from across India and beyond.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Shri Devang Sampat, Managing Director, Cinépolis India; Shri Sandeep Mittal, Founder, TheatreWorld; Shri Raghavendra T (Raghav), Director, Big Cine Expo and Editor-Publisher, TheatreWorld; and Shri Yusuf Galabhaiwala, Partner, GTC Industries, as Guests of Honour. The larger edition of the expo featured an extensive showcase of cinema technologies, products and solutions, alongside business meetings, networking opportunities, presentations and knowledge-sharing sessions.
Commenting on the event, Raghav, Director, Big Cine Expo, said,
“Remarkable progress has been made by Asian countries, taking the cinema industry by storm. India, in particular, shows their passion through increasing numbers of screens and movie releases every year. There are businesses that are enthusiastic about the technical aspects of the cinematic world, and I am thrilled to say that Big Cine Expo 2026 will be an event that has the ability to bridge the knowledge gap, especially at a time when the industry is in desperate need of a boost. Packed with live discussions and demonstrations from various brands, the two-day event will cover humongous networking opportunities for the cinema exhibition industry. A tradeshow and convention that has a lot in store for everybody, including innovations which overtake the competition to feature every cinema in the world, from a multiplex to a single-screen, moulding it into a premium, affordable and sustainable cinema! You just can’t miss it!”
Day one featured a strong conference programme addressing key issues shaping the future of cinema exhibition. The panel “Reclaiming the Masses: Making Cinema Affordable in the Current Era” examined smarter pricing, data-driven scheduling, targeted promotions, subscription models and other approaches to make cinema more accessible while maintaining commercial sustainability. “Beyond the Screen: Leveraging Tech to Elevate F&B and the Cinema Experience” explored the role of technology in transforming cinema F&B into a stronger revenue and engagement driver.
The discussion “Tech vs. Texture: Does Premium Technology Deliver a Premium Experience?” brought together perspectives on projection, immersive sound, HDR, LED and next-generation presentation technologies, while also examining the wider elements of hospitality, comfort, design and social spaces that contribute to a premium cinema experience. ICTA’s “Cinema 2030: Operating Model of the Future” looked at the growing role of artificial intelligence, automation and data-driven analytics in creating more efficient and future-ready cinema operations.
Day one also witnessed the Qube Cinema Partner Felicitation and the IMAX Big Cine Awards 2026, recognising achievements and contributions across the cinema exhibition ecosystem.
The exhibition floor at Big Cine Expo 2026 featured an impressive showcase of leading cinema technology, equipment, services and solutions from exhibitors across India and international markets. From projection and display technologies to cinema automation, F&B solutions and other innovative products, exhibitors offered live demonstrations and interactive experiences, giving cinema owners and industry professionals an opportunity to explore the latest advancements shaping the future of cinema exhibition.
Day two of Big Cine Expo 2026, taking place on 19 August, will continue the focus on technology, innovation and audience engagement with Barco’s “Limitless Possibilities, Unlimited Experiences” and the panel “Cracking Audience Engagement: Micro-Targeting India’s Diverse Demographics.” The sessions will explore emerging technologies and the importance of understanding India’s diverse audiences to develop more effective engagement strategies and sustainable cinema businesses.
With its expanded scale, strong industry participation and focus on the evolving needs of cinema exhibition, Big Cine Expo 2026 continues to serve as a key platform for collaboration, innovation and the future of cinema in India and Asia.