News

June 11, 2025

As part of this strategic transformation, the company unveiled a new and dynamic brand universe for its next phase of growth.

Locarno Film Festival unveils Africa-focused line-up for Open Doors programme

On August 12, a panel of professional jury members will grant awards to the selected winning projects.

Saudi Film Commission highlights talent at Annecy Animation Film Festival

The film festival provides a platform for creative collaboration, co-production opportunities and professional dialogue.

Warner Bros. Discovery Access launches Comedic Voices Programme

Warner Bros. Discovery to split into two public companies

One division will concentrate on streaming services, while the other will focus on cable network operations.

Insys and To-Do Media bring Arabic content to mobile devices

Algeria’s El Ikhbariya channel joins Es’hailSat’s video hotspot

Es’hailSat continues growth of video neighborhood at 26° East with the public broadcaster.

Nvidia DLSS 4 boosts ‘Dune: Awakening’ performance, adds path tracing to F1 25

'Dune: Awakening' features full support for NvidiaA DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, along with DLSS Frame Generation, DLSS Super Resolution, and Nvidia Reflex, which cuts PC latency by up...

RFC – Jordan extends submission deadline for 20th Rawi Screenwriters Lab

Rawi works with a diverse group of Creative Advisors and selection committee members from the Arab region and beyond.

AOTO Powers the Region’s Top Football Events Across All 10 ASEAN Nations

by Staff Writer

May 2025 — AOTO has completed its first full season of service for Southeast Asia’s most prominent football competitions—the 2024–2025 ASEAN Shopee Cup and the Mitsubishi Electric Cup—marking the beginning...

Accedo to operate and enhance Turkish streaming platform Exxen

To extend its global footprint, Acunmedya, has appointed Accedo to take full responsibility of operating, managing and enhancing the Exxen service.

Inter Medya expands global reach of ‘Valley of Hearts’

The drama series, produced by TIMS&B Productions, has so far been licensed in over 30 countries.

Technology, media entities unite to build trust in online content

Canal+ and Netflix expand strategic partnership to sub-Saharan Africa

Canal already offers a line-up of over 400 live channels in the region, including 28 produced for African audiences.

StarzPlay secures exclusive MENA rights to CIA thriller ‘Special Ops: Lioness’

June 8, 2025

The series is a spy thriller that follows the leader of undercover CIA operations on the war on terror by enlisting female operatives that are known as Lionesses.

MassiveMusic Dubai appoints Julie Hanse as Director of Partnerships

June 8, 2025

Julie joins MassiveMusic as the company expands its team, client base, footprint and services in the Middle East and North Africa.

Multiply Group launches MMG

June 7, 2025

Multiply Media Group (MMG) combines BackLite Media, Viola Media and Media 247 to operate one of the UAE’s premium outdoor portfolios with 3,000 units.

Kanal D International expands further in CIS with six Turkish dramas

June 6, 2025

The deals also highlight the popularity of Turkish scripted content as a valuable asset in global entertainment strategies.

Zee Entertainment promotes Adil Memon and Souha El Assal

Prime Video appoints Nicole Clemens as Head of International Originals

June 5, 2025

Clemens, the former Paramount TV Studios boss, will take up the Vice President and Head of International Originals role at Prime Video and MGM Studios.

United Media Services and Juice Book Foundation to bring Arab literature to screen

June 5, 2025

The partnership aims to select and adapt standout Egyptian and Arab literary works into drama productions for Arab audiences.

Blue Lucy renews deal with Banijay Rights to power global content operations

The new four-year agreement extends a trusted partnership and reaffirms Blue Lucy’s pivotal role in supporting Banijay Rights’ daily operations across its expansive content portfolio.

UAE announces new media law introducing major reforms to digital content sector

The new system aims to unlock potential, stimulate investment, and empower content creators through a flexible environment, streamlined procedures, incentivising exemptions, and strategic partnerships at both local and international levels.

DFI announces programming and awards for 2025 Doha Film Festival

Doha Film Festival to have four competition strands with total of over USD 300,000 in prize money to reward artistic excellence.

‘Thank You for Banking With Us!’ to world premiere at BFI London Film Festival

Palestinian film ‘Thank You for Banking With Us!’ to premiere in Spain

The film is a joint German-Palestinian production that delves into themes of female empowerment and familial struggle.

Create Production brings Vox Cinemas’ sonic identity to life with Hans Zimmer

The brand film is now playing across all Vox Cinemas, with wider rollout across digital, social, and out-of-home channels.

NMK Electronics and SRS Group to expand power and lighting solutions across GCC

Initial conversations began at the SLS Show in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2024, followed by detailed evaluations of potential distributors.

Milo Productions and Italia Film partner to bring ‘Time Hoppers: The Silk Road’ to MENA

Through this agreement, Italia Film will handle the exclusive theatrical distribution rights of the film across MENA.

Amman International Film Festival announces details of sixth edition

This year, the festival welcomes Ireland as Country of Honour, focusing on Irish cinema with a specific section dedicated to it.

Ameer Fakher Eldin’s ‘Yunan’ to screen at 34th FESCAAAL in Itlay

Sydney Film Festival adds MAD titles to 2025 line-up

These two additions will spotlight deeply human narratives from the Arab world and its diasporas

Saudi Film Commission highlights national cinema at SXSW London

As part of its participation the commission will screen a selection of short Saudi films under the Saudi Film Nights initiative.

SoftAtHome provides Alexa voice control feature to Etisalat by e&

BeIN extends content deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment across MENA and Türkiye

As part of the renewed deal, beIN will continue to hold first and second window rights to several film titles from SPE’s diverse library.

Yango Play and Mondia partner to accelerate digital expansion across MENA

The collaboration between Yango Play and Mondia brings forth enhanced accessibility to digital services through direct carrier billing and bundled service offerings.

Electriclime° hosts talk on AI in advertising and filmmaking at new W13 office

The next event at °W13 will be held on June 12th, with the theme focused on Sustainability in Commercial Production.

Red Sea Film Foundation launches fifth edition of 48Hr Film Challenge

Aspiring filmmakers in Saudi Arabia aged between 18 and 25 are invited to submit their applications by June 15, 2025.

‘Sudan, Remember Us’ wins Audience Award at FCAT 2025

The film depicts the 2019 overthrow of Sudanese leader Omar Al-Bashir and the subsequent civil war that followed.

ATV Distribution brings Turkish series ‘A Little Sunshine’ to US audiences

The deal marks the US premiere of 'A Little Sunshine', adding the Turkish drama to Hemisphere Media Group’s lineup for Hispanic audiences.

Iraqi film ‘The President’s Cake’ wins Cannes Directors’ Fortnight audience award

Sony Pictures Classics acquires rights to Iraqi film ‘The President’s Cake’

June 1, 2025

The film is made in association with Missing Piece Films, Working Barn Productions, Maiden Voyage Pictures and Spark Features.

Twitch announces major platform upgrades at TwitchCon Rotterdam 2025

June 1, 2025

In 2024, viewers across MENA spent 209m+ hours watching content on Twitch

Palestinian film ‘A House in Jerusalem’ to premiere at International Film Festival Rotterdam

Palestinian film ‘A House in Jerusalem’ now available on Shahid

May 31, 2025

The film is helmed by Muayad Alayan and co-written with Rami Alayan.

Red Sea International Film Festival opens film submissions for second edition

Red Sea International Film Festival opens submissions for fifth edition

During the early bird period, entries can be submitted free of charge, with standard submission fees beginning on July 7.

MAD Solutions brings six short films to Rotterdam Arab Film Festival

Each of these six films is represented internationally by MAD World, with MAD Distribution handling sales across the Arab World.

Inter Medya licenses Turkish drama ‘Heartstrings’ to Romania

The series has 125 episodes available for international licensing.

Animotion Media partners with HappyKids to expand access to children’s content

Through this collaboration three of Animotion’s series are now available to millions of families via the HappyKids platform.

Vox Cinemas hosts UAE premiere of ‘Restart’ ahead of regional release

'Restart' releases at Vox Cinemas across the region on May 29 and tickets are currently on sale.

Rotana Media Services becomes exclusive media sales partner for stc tv

Rotana Media Services will lead digital ad monetisation, leveraging advanced technology and data-driven strategies to enhance brand engagement.

SRMG partners with TikTok to empower content creators across KSA and MENA region

The partnership will accelerate the creator economy and drive commercial growth by integrating TikTok’s platform with SRMG’s media ecosystem, events and training initiatives.

Ventum Tech and Disguise announce strategic GCC partnership

The partnership was announced during the Open House Demo Experience in Doha, a two-day event showcasing real-time XR and broadcast demonstrations featuring Disguise and Stype.

Algerian film ‘Algiers’ to hold world premiere at Rhode Island Film Festival

Algerian film ‘Algiers’ set to screen in Abu Dhabi

MAD Solutions handles the film’s distribution in the Arab world, while The Party Film Sales handles worldwide distribution.

Cairo Film Fest sets new date to avoid clash with RSIFF

Cairo International Film Festival opens submissions for 46th edition

The early bird window remains open until May 31.

TwelveP brings exclusive Eid special of ‘Orange Moo Cow’ as part of co-production

The series centres on Zoh, a lively six-year-old cow, and her curious four-year-old brother Boh.

TOD Studios announces second season of Turkish series ‘Doors of Destiny’

The series is directed by Yunus Ozan Korkut, with the script written by Ozan and Sinan Yurdakul.

Myco crowns first-ever viewer millionaire through ‘Watch & Earn’ model

More than 500 Myco users took home rewards through the Bundle & myco campaign.

Gaming revenue in Saudi Arabia to reach $6.8bn by 2030: BCG

BLAST and eCLUTCH strike global esports broadcast deal

The BLAST deal is the first of a number of planned acquisitions by eCLUTCH, as part of its mass strategy to change the way esports is served to mainstream audiences.

The OTT journey – Learning from the experts

Irdeto and Anypoint Media expand partnership to boost OTT monetisation

The collaboration enables the pre-integration of Anypoint Media’s FLOWER solution into Irdeto Experience, the video aggregation platform.

Al Jazeera Documentary Channel invites submissions for 2025 Industry Days

The Call for Projects is exclusively for documentary filmmakers and producers from the Southeast Europe, the Caucasus, the Central Asia, the MENA region or documentary projects dealing with topics related...

iQIYI expands MENA presence with Dubai branch and Watch IT content deal

iQIYI has developed a MENA-specific content library, offering Chinese-language dramas, films, animations and variety shows thoughtfully adapted to reflect local tastes and cultural preferences.

Kanal D International brings Turkish drama ‘Time Goes By’ to Serbian audiences

The classic series, which aired initially in 2010, has been dubbed in over 30 languages and broadcast worldwide.

MUBI acquires Jafar Panahi’s ‘It Was Just an Accident’ for multiple international territories