From May 17 to 19, Dubai will host the DISCOP Dubai television content market, an industrial platform that brings together key players in the MENA region. Twenty-eight Russian film, series, and animation companies will present their projects; 12 companies will be available offline at the Russian Content Worldwide (RCW) stand. The main focus of Russian companies will be on series of different genres and animation — content that has proved popular in MENA. The catalog also includes feature films — mainly action, comedy, sports dramas, fantasy, sci-fi — and documentaries.
The previous experience of Russian companies in MENA, and a number of successful deals in this region, have shown the interest of these audiences in Russian content and the potential for further cooperation. More than 80 buyers from the UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, Lebanon, and Tunisia are participating in the DISCOP Dubai market — countries where the Russian industry sees opportunities for exports and for joint initiatives.
The Russian Content Worldwide (RCW) stand is organized by ROSKINO, the Russian film promotion body, with the support of the Russian Ministry of Culture.
Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, Olga Lyubimova says, “The geographical scale of DISCOP Dubai market participants — from the United Arab Emirates to Algeria and Turkey — allows us to count on the effectiveness of Russian content and new business contacts, which are necessary for content promotion in MENA. I am sure that among the more than 120 Russian projects, MENA representatives of the industry will be able to choose content to suit their audiences. Films, series, and animation under the RCW brand will open up new vistas of Russian culture for local viewers. DISCOP Dubai is not only a business platform, but also an important event in strengthening the international cultural dialogue between Russia and the countries of the Middle East and North Africa.”
ROSKINO CEO Inna Shalyto says, “Participation in the DISCOP Dubai market is part of a new strategy for the international promotion of Russian content. This is already the second visit of the industry under the RCW brand to the UAE — a major hub in the Middle East. Distributors are concentrated here, purchasing content for the region. There is a potential audience of more than 400 million in MENA for our films, series, animation, and documentaries. The entire range of content will be presented by Russian companies at the RCW stand. Considering Russia’s growing presence in MENA and the record level of trade with the UAE in 2021, we hope that the creative industries and cinema of Russia will also contribute to the development of this market in the near future.”
