A four-screen cinema is scheduled to open to the public in Lagoona Mall later this month, its operators said.

It will be Qatar’s first branch of the Flik Cinemas chain, which plans to open three movie theaters across Doha by the end of 2017.

There is no definite date for the public launch of the Lagoona Mall cinema, but a spokesman for the operator, which is part of Al Mana Group, said they were “hopeful” it would be this month.

Speaking to Doha News, he said:

“The fit-out is 95 percent complete – we are just doing the last few details then we need to get the requisite permits. We are hoping for a September opening,” he added.

The new Flik multiplexes will add 20 new screens to Qatar, for a total of more than 2,500 seats.

This is in addition to the new cinemas planned to open soon at Mall of Qatar, Doha Festival City and Tawar Mall. Together, those will offer a further 49 new screens to movie fans in the coming year.

Meanwhile, a 13-screen multiplex in Gulf Mall opened earlier this summer.

‘Gold and platinum’

Situated on the upper floor of the mall above Lagoona’s Pari Gallery, Flik Cinema is currently closed off with hoardings.

However, workers have apparently been busy this week putting the finishing touches on the place.

In a statement announcing its imminent opening, Flik Cinemas described the Lagoona location as “the first platinum and gold class theater multiplex in the GCC.”

High-end comfort and convenience appear to be the focus of the four-screen, 172-seat theater.

The seats will be leather recliners with tables, similar to the “seven-star” experience offered at one of the theaters inside Novo Cinemas on the Pearl-Qatar.

Movie goers in platinum class will be able to order snacks and drinks via a personal iPad from a menu designed by Fauchon Paris and have them delivered to their seats.

For those feeling cold from the air conditioning, blankets and pillows can be ordered too, the statement added.

Christie digital projection and Vive sound systems aim to provide viewers with one of the most high-tech cinema experiences.

Other openings

The Lagoona mall launch will be followed by a new, 1,000-seater, eight-screen Flik movie theater at Mirqab Mall in Al Sadd.

This is planned to open in the first quarter of 2017, a cinema spokesman told Doha News.

Meanwhile, a third multiplex, also with eight screens but which will have a capacity of 1,400 viewers, is expected to launch in Doha Mall in Abu Hamour in the last quarter of next year.

All will show a combination of Hollywood, Bollywood and Arabic-language films.

Tickets for these cinemas will be priced comparably to other existing movie theaters in Doha. Prices will start from around QR45 a ticket and rise to QR150 for a platinum seat.

“They will be a fair, market price,” he added.

Despite the proliferation of new movie theaters in Doha in the coming year, the new operator is positive that there is a market for this surge in supply.

He said:

“It’s not a fixed market. And people in the Middle East like to go to the movies. There are a lot of people coming to Qatar from neighboring countries who will go to see a film while they’re here.

We are confident that the market (in Qatar) will grow.”

Do you plan to check out the new cinema? Thoughts?