The management of cinema screens at Algarve Shopping in Guia and Continente Portimão is being taken over by Brazilian film distributor Grupo Orient.
An agreement was recently reached between shopping centre specialists Sonae Sierra and Grupo Orient, which will now be managing the two Algarve cinema halls, expected to open before the end of 2013.
Grupo Orient, a new film distributor in the Portuguese market, has 20 years’ experience operating in Brazil and six in Angola.
“The group is a reference for quality, technology and intelligent programming,” said Sonae Sierra. “They are leaders in the film market in Northeast Brazil and are among the 20 largest companies in the sector in that country.”
In 2012, Grupo Orient recorded a global turnover of around €30 million and welcomed more than 4.5 million spectators to its cinemas.
In 2007, Grupo Orient began an internationalisation programme, starting with the African continent, where it set up base in Angola. Its Portugal operation is now possible thanks to the deal with Sonae Sierra.
Other cinema screens in Portugal being managed by Grupo Orient through its company Cineplace are located at Parque Atlântico, Estação Viana, LeiriaShopping, LoureShopping, MadeiraShopping, RioSul Shopping, Serra Shopping and 8ª Avenida.
The various cinema halls will be opening in stages “as the different procedures required are concluded”, stated Sonae Sierra, adding that the goal is to have all screens operating this year.
As reported by the Algarve Resident in January this year, debt-ridden film distributor Castello-Lopes closed down several cinema screens nationwide, including at Guia and in Portimão, in a cutback that saw dozens of people left without a job.
