Ellis Jacob, president and CEO of Cineplex, will receive the Legend of Cinema Award on opening night of this year’s CinemaCon.
Michael O’Leary, president and CEO of Cinema United, announced the honor Wednesday, calling it the organization’s most prestigious award. Jacob joins acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese as the only recipients of the recognition.
“Ellis has been a leader at the forefront of global exhibition for decades,” O’Leary said in a statement. “He has created an entertainment empire that cannot be matched and has been a tireless advocate on behalf of theater owners around the world.”
Jacob served as chair of Cinema United’s executive board from 2018 to 2020. In 2022, he received the CinemaCon Marquee Award, which recognizes an executive whose strategic vision and leadership advance theatrical exhibition.
“No one has played a more central role in guiding our industry through the turbulence and uncertainty of the past years than Ellis,” O’Leary said. “His role in positioning exhibition for future success cannot be overstated.”
Jacob, who plans to retire this year, became president and CEO of Cineplex in October 2003. He began his career in motion picture exhibition in 1987. Cineplex, which traces its history in Canada back more than 100 years, is the fourth-largest theater circuit in North America.
Under Jacob’s leadership, the company expanded beyond traditional theaters into exhibition, amusement and media. Before joining Cineplex, Jacob co-founded Galaxy Entertainment Inc. in 1999 and served as its president and CEO.
“I am deeply honored to receive the Legend of Cinema Award,” Jacob said in a statement. “I have spent my entire career believing in the power of moviegoing to bring people together.”
The Legend of Cinema Award recognizes individuals whose careers have been dedicated to supporting and advancing the theatrical experience.
CinemaCon, the official convention of Cinema United and the largest gathering of theatrical exhibitors worldwide, is scheduled for April 13-16 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
