CEO Of Novo Cinemas Named Among The Top 5 Most Influential Women In Global Cinema

Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen, the CEO of homegrown cinema chain Novo Cinemas, has been named among the top five influential women in global cinema by leading online film and cinema resources, Celluloid Junkie and Film Journal.

Ranking at number four on the list, Stanford-Kristiansen is the only woman from the MENA region to feature in the top five, beating off stiff competition from powerful figureheads from the likes of the USA, UK, France and Hong Kong.

Commenting on her placement, CEO Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen said: “I am so proud to be an award winner amongst such a group of talented women from our wonderful industry. I’d like to thank my awesome Novo Cinemas team, none of this would be possible without their unbelievable dedication and commitment.

“I would also like to thank Celluloid Junkie and the awards committee, not only for honouring me in the list, but for also recognizing the power and achievements of women in the industry at a time when there is intense spotlight on the roles of females in business“.

The judges cited Debbie’s push for innovation at Novo Cinemas, as well as her focus on amplifying the customer cinema experience, for her presence in the rankings. Over the past 12-months several of Novo Cinemas’ multiplexes have undergone extensive refurbishment including the flagship location in Dubai Festival City Mall and the UAE’s longest-serving community cinema, Buhairah in Sharjah. Additionally, Novo Cinemas have introduced the region’s first frozen popcorn snack to its menu in two locations as well as achieving the Guinness World Record for the ‘World’s Largest Maze, Human Maze’ in support of the regional premiere of the film Maze Runner: The Death Cure.