From Newbie to High-Flyer: What it Takes to Make it in Cinema

Mariam El Bacha has been developing cinema experiences in Argentina, Great Britain, Australia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Pakistan and now in Denmark. Thanks to her background in operations, and combined with her ability to understand different cultures and idiosyncrasies, she has been able to create cinema experiences that made a positive impact in the communities she served.

Mariam is a seasoned cinema professional and a member of the Women in Exhibition board since its inception. She also launched the WIE Women’s Mentoring Program with the aim of creating a network of women professionals in the industry. The program is in its 3rd year running and accommodating women from around the world.

Funmi Onuma is an experienced lifestyle and entertainment business leader with a passion for driving change and growth in the film industry across Africa. Honored as a top 50 women in global cinema by Celluloid Junkie for three consecutive years, she represents the strength and resilience of African women on a global stage. She’s a management consultant, skilled negotiator and visionary leader, who thrives in high-pressure environments and embraces diverse challenges with unwavering tenacity and creativity. Funmi has held progressively responsible positions with Silverbird Cinemas over her 10-year tenure. She has an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business and a Bachelor of Science in banking and finance from Lagos State University.

Dr. Heather Morgan has spent her career putting the principles of Industrial-Organizational psychology to work within all facets of the entertainment industry. Having spent over a decade in executive roles with some of the industry’s most prominent theatrical exhibition companies including AMC Theatres, Harkins Theatres and Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, her expertise spans corporate strategy, leadership development, operational excellence, content acquisition, strategic partnerships and business development.

In her prior role as Chief of Staff & Strategy, Morgan has been at the helm of the recent acquisition of Alamo Drafthouse by Sony Pictures Entertainment and the strategic integrations that have followed. She was recently promoted to Chief Content Officer, leading all content sourcing and scheduling for the company. In her new role, Alamo Drafthouse will continue to innovate new ways to broaden its reach and drive audiences into cinemas, fostering the next generation of moviegoers.

In addition to her role at Alamo Drafthouse, Morgan is a passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion and connection throughout the industry. She is a TEDx speaker, frequent contributor to industry publications, podcasts and panels, and serves as board chair of the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation.

With a decade of experience in writing about the exhibition side of cinema—the technologies, the business, and oh yes, the films—Rebecca Pahle is a passionate advocate for inclusion and diversity in the global cinema space, working with non-profit group Women in Exhibition—in addition to the Boxoffice Pro magazine and the Boxoffice Podcast—to celebrate the varied stories and accomplishments of cinema professionals, from CEOs to those just breaking into the industry. A 15-year resident of New York City, she currently resides in Jackson Heights, Queens.