Zaur Darabzadeh, CEO of CineMastercard, Azerbaijan’s largest cinema chain, is the guest of “Territory of Cinema”, a programme broadcast on CBC TV Azerbaijan.

How does a cinema business that welcomes more than 1,500,000 moviegoers annually operate? In the interview, Zaur Darabzadeh discusses his professional journey, his decision to pursue a career in the cinema industry, the development of the cinema chain, and its expansion into regional markets, beginning with the opening of the first cinema in Ganja.

Why are cinemas increasingly becoming part of larger entertainment destinations? How is the film lineup selected, what determines the number of screenings, and how important is it to take audience preferences into account? Zaur Darabzadeh shares his views on the social responsibility of cinemas, compliance with age restrictions, and the importance of maintaining space for arthouse films in theatrical distribution, even when they do not generate significant box-office revenue.

A separate part of the conversation focuses on cooperation with major global film studios, including Disney, Warner Bros., Universal Pictures and Sony, negotiations with international distributors, and the partnership with Mastercard that led to the creation of the CineMastercard brand.

The guest also reveals behind-the-scenes details of running a cinema chain, from choosing popcorn and special coconut oil to the unique initiative of a free cinema at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, designed for passengers waiting for their flights.

The interview also explores competition with streaming platforms, the advantages of the big screen, and the unique cinema experience and atmosphere that cannot be recreated at home.

All this and much more in a conversation with Zaur Darabzadeh on “Territory of Cinema” on CBC TV Azerbaijan.