Leila Masinaei

Leila Masinaei is a dynamic serial entrepreneur and the visionary founder behind the META Cinema Forum, the Middle East's largest Cinema Convention.

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Hosted by

Hilmarie Hutchison

Leila Masinaei

Founder of META Cinema Forum

Leila Masinaei is a dynamic serial entrepreneur and the visionary founder behind the META Cinema Forum, the Middle East’s largest Cinema Convention, and the META Film Fest, the UAE’s pioneering independent international Film Festival. As Managing Partner of the Great Minds Group, comprising Event Management and PR/Communications agencies, Leila is dedicated to transforming the META Cinema Forum and Festival into a global cinema hub, elevating the creative economy’s impact on the region’s GDP.

With an extensive leadership background in both public and corporate sectors, Leila holds an MBA in International Marketing. She is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders, making META Film Fest her paramount endeavour.

About this Episode

Imagine if a young woman from Dubai could revolutionise the world of entertainment. What would that journey look like? Meet Leila Masinaei, a serial entrepreneur who transitioned from medical research to shaking up the regional film scene with her Meta Cinema Forum and Film Festival. Masinaei’s unique platforms have triggered a seismic shift in the industry by creating a shared space for business stakeholders to discuss cinema as a business.

In this episode, we also unpack the MetaFoam Festival, a platform Leila created for students to showcase their work, obtain hands-on experience, and potentially secure employment. From her humble beginnings to her ‘Greenpool Moment’ – the defining point in her career, Masinaei’s journey is nothing short of inspiring.

Tune in to learn how this multi-tasking entrepreneur is daring to break barriers and disrupt industries.