Ellis Jacob, president and CEO of Canadian company Cineplex, is set to get the Legend of Cinema Award at this year’s CinemaCon exhibition convention.
CinemaCon, the official convention of exhibition trade group Cinema United, runs April 13-16 in Las Vegas.
The award, inaugurated at last year’s CinemaCon, goes to individuals with career track records of “preserving and elevating the unparalleled magic of the shared theatrical experience.”
Jacob, who will retire this year, began working in exhibition in 1987. He co-founded Galaxy Entertainment in 1999 before becoming president and CEO of Cineplex, North America’s fourth largest circuit, in 2003.
He was chair of Cinema United’s executive board from 2018 to 2020 and received the CinemaCon Marque Award in 2022.
Cinema United president and CEO Michael O’Leary commented: “Ellis has been a leader at the forefront of global exhibition for decades. He has created an entertainment empire that cannot be matched and has been a tireless advocate on behalf of theatre owners around the world. He is a beloved figure who fully embodies the passion of our industry, and we are honoured to be able to show our heartfelt appreciation in this way.”
Jacob said: “I am deeply honoured to receive the Legend of Cinema Award. I have spent my entire career believing in the power of moviegoing to bring people together. The theatrical experience has always held a unique place in our culture and I am truly humbled to be recognised with this award. I have been fortunate to work with inspiring partners across the exhibition community who share a commitment to ensuring that cinemas continue to thrive.”
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