The deal will see many of the films Front Row acquired feature exclusively on beIN’s linear and digital platforms.
BeIN Media Group has renewed its multi-year agreement with indie film distributor Front Row Filmed Entertainment, securing first pay and Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) windows for independent feature films across the Middle East and North African territories.
The agreement will see all of Front Row’s English-language feature films such as Ana Todd’s After series adaptation; Sean Penn’s Flag Day; 2021’s Oscar contender The Father (which also opened this year’s Cairo International Film Festival); Sia’s directorial debut Music; the action-packed The Marksman; and Paul Schrader’s The Card Counter among other premium titles premiering exclusively in the MENA on BeIN’s movie channels and on the platform’s OTT service, beIN Connect.
Commenting on the deal, Mohammad Al-Subaie, Acting CEO of beIN MENA said: “We are excited about extending our partnership with Front Row Filmed Entertainment as we continue to cater to an audience looking for thought-provoking and critically acclaimed movies. The partnership renewal is a testament to our commitment to offer a complete spectrum of entertainment programs through valuable entities such as Front Row Filmed Entertainment, who continue to innovate in an ever-changing entertainment landscape.”
Gianluca Chakra, CEO of Front Row Filmed Entertainment added: “We are pleased that our feature films will have a home on beIN’s channels in the MENA and look forward to continuing our close relationship with the beIN team in servicing and expanding their already vast and loyal audience while continuing our search for untapped audiences across the region through innovative acquisitions.”
Front Row Filmed Entertainment acquires over 100 feature films a year notwithstanding TV series. The distribution company has also set up Yalla Yalla, a JV production company with international sales company Rocket Science and will be shooting their first feature film production on the 17th of February with the Arabic language remake Perfect Strangers, starring Nadine Labaki, Mona Zaki, Eyad Nassar and Adel Karam.
