It is proposed to cancel cinema screenings during the day to save losses resulting from low demand.

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The proposal to cancel daytime shows in Egyptian cinemas... raises controversy

Egyptian producer and director Karim El-Sobky sparked controversy by proposing to cancel daytime concerts in cinemas, with the aim of saving them from losses resulting from low demand.

Al-Sabki presented the proposal through his Facebook account, pointing out the weak demand for morning and afternoon concerts and the high operating costs. He suggested canceling concerts at ten in the morning, one in the afternoon, and three in the afternoon, and limiting themselves to three concerts per day: six in the evening, nine in the evening, and midnight.

He explained that the current losses stem from operating nearly empty halls with the same electricity consumption, and bearing workers’ wages without achieving actual revenue, which reduces average daily revenues and increases operational expenses. 

Al-Sabki stressed that concentrating cinema screening at peak times, reducing costs, and raising operating efficiency will lead to increasing the average revenue per concert, supporting the continuity of theaters and preserving employment.

Egyptian producer and director Karim El Sobky sparked controversy by proposing to cancel daytime concerts in cinemas, with the aim of saving them from the losses resulting from low demand...

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He pointed out that the proposal does not only aim to save theaters, but also extends to saving the films currently shown and protecting investments in future films, stressing that saving theaters means saving an entire film industry.

Al-Sabki also recommended implementing the proposal for a trial period of one month and evaluating the results. Al Arabiya.net discussed with a number of filmmakers about the feasibility of the proposal, as opinions varied between supporters and opponents. For his part, art critic Tareq El-Shenawy stated that El-Sobki’s proposal is wrong, pointing out that there is no country that has canceled daytime concerts, and that attention to daytime shows should be better.

El-Shenawy suggested reducing the ticket price for morning concerts by 30% to encourage the audience, especially those from the lower class who may not be able to afford the cost of evening concerts.

For his part, producer Mahmoud Al-Dafrawi confirmed that the proposal needs careful study, especially in light of the current conditions of cinema, and is not suitable for implementation with the decision to close theaters at nine in the evening, which will affect revenues. 

Al-Dafrawi acknowledged that daytime concerts do not generate as much revenue as evening concerts, but he emphasized their importance and the presence of an audience that prefers them.

Artist Tamer Hosni expressed his strong support for the proposal, considering that it will protect filmmakers from losses resulting from the expenses of operating daytime shows.  Hosni explained on his Facebook page that the goal is not to tighten the pressure on the audience or workers, but rather to save an industry that costs millions of pounds and is not profitable.