CineStar Arena IMAX® has been awarded the title of “Best Local Exhibitor Marketing Campaign” for 2025 in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, and Africa). With this recognition, CineStar further solidifies its position as a regional leader in innovation and branded excellence.
“We are incredibly proud that our CineStar Croatia team won this award — it’s a recognition of our passion, teamwork, and 14 years of proudly representing IMAX on our market, not just as partners, but as true fans“, said Branka Krstulović, Marketing Director at Blitz-CineStar.
The award is the result of an integrated campaign conducted from April to June 2025, which successfully combined exclusive theatrical content, IMAX® technology, audience loyalty, and creative communication. The goal of the campaign was to introduce the IMAX® format to a wider audience, encourage more frequent selection of IMAX screenings, and highlight films shot specifically for IMAX®.
The campaign positioned CineStar and IMAX® as premium brands, promoting the #FilmedForIMAX experience and offering audiences a fully immersive cinematic journey. Through the CineStar Stars Club loyalty program, viewers were rewarded with exclusive benefits such as double points and personalized prizes, strengthening their bond with the brand.
Promotion of the campaign was supported by high-visibility visuals across CineStar’s owned platforms, media channels, and outdoor advertising, with special emphasis on creating a tangible brand experience. Branded popcorn boxes in Zagreb cinemas became a recognizable symbol of the campaign, while the custom IMAX® pop-up store in Arena Centar allowed visitors to engage directly with the brand through interactive content and prize contests, deepening emotional connection and providing a unique experience beyond the cinema.
The digital campaign targeted an urban audience aged 18 to 35, highlighting the exclusivity and aspirational value of the IMAX experience. The 14th anniversary of IMAX in Croatia further enhanced the emotional bond with audiences, with the campaign spotlighting #FilmedForIMAX releases and loyalty club member benefits throughout its run.
It’s worth noting that CineStar was previously named Best Cinema Exhibitor in Europe (2019) and received the Best New-Build Cinema in Europe award for CineStar Mall of Split in 2020. This new recognition for Best IMAX Campaign further cements its position as a leader that consistently pushes the boundaries of experience, innovation, and communication.
