EDNA Mall built by Teklebirhan Ambaye Construction (TACON) at the cost of 134 million birr had Multiplex, Ethiopia’s first three screen Movie Theatre complex. The theaters interior design and equipment alone cost more than 28 million birr, Teklebirhan Ambaye, Owner and General Manager of EDNA Mall told journalists on Thursday November 22, 2007. 

TekleBirhan stated that he has built the cinema hall with Digital Protection System from world renowned Christie complemented by the best Dolby digital and THX surround sound technology and latest bucket seats with drink holders to provide a gold class movie viewing experience.

“The exclusive partnership we signed with US leading movie distributors like Universal Pictures and others will enable us not only to screen box office films but also to choose among them and pick which ever we think is best suited for the Ethiopian audience,” he said.

The theatres screen three different films five times a day. One can come and choose which box office hits he or she wants to see and join one of the three halls for the same price of thirty birr (close to 4 USD) during working hours and forty in off hours.

The price we ask for these box office films is very cheap when compared to the 11 USD US theatres ask but we had an exhaustive negotiation with the film distributors and convinced them to accept it as future investment rather than to look at the current balance, “Teklebirhan explained.

He further explained that Amharic films that are shot in 35 mm can be entertained in the theatres and their entrance fee will be determined with the producers. EDNA Mall, an eight floor building built on 2000 meters square in the Bole area in front of Holy Savoir Church, also comprises family entertainment centre and restaurants.

Its amusement services called Bob and Bango’s offer-play station games, various games like hammer head, two party rooms to host children birth days, gift shops and others.

TACON, set up in 1994, has so far completed projects worth over ETB 320 million with another ETB 350 million worth of projects in progress. EDNA Mall is TACON’s first retail project. 


Keywords:  ethiopia culture film