With the rapid development of the industry in Latin America, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region, the cinema operators involved recognise the extent to which the business opportunities and policy challenges they face – such as film theft, technology standards, theatrical release practices, international trade practices and the highly valued relationship with partners in film distribution – are shared by counterparts across territories.

The Emerging Markets in Africa, New Europe, Central Asia, and the GCC are at an early stage in the growth and development of their cinema markets, but in combination they offer a significant opportunity for investors, studios, distributors, exhibitors and the specialist supply chains to the industry.

Africa is the world's second largest and second most-populous continent. It covers 6% of Earth's total surface area and 20% of its land area. With over 1.2 billion people and a median age of 19.7 years as of 2016, it accounts for around 16% of the world's human population, but a nominal amount of the global box office, principally as a result of limited access to cinema screens.

70% of worldwide economic growth is forecast in Emerging Markets. ECM2019 will explore opportunities in the regions, the challenges (including technical and political) and how cinema suppliers, operators and producers can grow their business.

ECM2019 will have an outsanding line up of international keynote speakers for a wide variety of areas, sharing in depth knowledge and experience of operating within the emerging markets.