At CABSAT, some companies like CTB are also looking to explore co-production opportunities in MENA for new TV series and features across different genres.
The Russian animation segment at DISCOP, which is co-located with CABSAT at Dubai World Trade Centre, is showcasing a range of animated content. Among the exhibitors is CTB Film Company with its new animation movies The Barkers Team and Maracuda. The company noted that the MENA market is very relevant for them and their animated content caters to the needs of local family audiences. CTB also stated that it is exploring co-production opportunities in the MENA market for new TV series and features across different genres.
Likewise, SMF Animation is showcasing Secrets of Honey Hills, The Adventures of Peter and Wolf, Claymotions, Monsikids, and Mr. Theo, Cat and Dog. The company believes that these projects will be well received in the MENA market as its content is “entertaining, educational and universal”. A release stated that their content addresses different target audiences and talks about family values and friendship. Representatives of SMF Animation also emphasised that the projects are adapted to the local market and are offered in classical Arabic.
Riki Group is another exhibitor presenting its popular animated series The Fixies, Tim and Tom, Babyriki, Beardy Bodo, as well as its latest feature film, Finnick, which has already been sold to more than 30 countries. In Russia, Finnick was released theatrically on March 24 and was the top-grossing film for four weeks, being watched by more than 1.6m people. As part of the market, the company intends to complete negotiations on the theatrical distribution of Finnick in the Middle East and Turkey.
Another company to look out for Platoshka Studio, which has brought the first season of the series Beadies, targeted at the under-five age group. In June, it hopes to finish dubbing the series into both Chinese and English.
Digital Television Russia is presenting four animation projects by Parovoz Animation Studio: Puppies and Kittens, Be-be-bears, Leo and Tig for the three- to five-year-old age group and Fantasy Patrol for 6- to 12-year-old children.
International representatives will also be able to get to know the products of other Russian content producers via print and digital catalogues: Central Partnership, Art Pictures Distribution, Mars Media Entertainment, 1-2-3 Production, STAR MEDIA, Russian World Vision, KION, Odin-Media, Igmar, Sreda production, Rock Films, TV Channel Five, NTV Broadcasting company, Kinoland, PRAD-media, and Parovoz Animation studio.
This entire segment has been organised by Russian Content Worldwide and Roskino, an umbrella export brand for the Russian content industry. Russian Content Worldwide aims to foster international collaboration and cooperation, improve the transparency of the Russian film industry and establish communication between Russian players focused on international markets and the international audience interested in new names, original content and new horizons in the area of film production.
