Russian animation growth unstoppable in the Middle East

Over the next few months, Middle Eastern and North African cinema-goers can enjoy new Russian titles ranging from TV series to movies and animation.

Mid-November, the Russian film industry representatives showcased their latest works to international buyers at the Dubai International Content Market DICM 2024, the major industry event in the MENA region. Organized by ROSKINO with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Russian Content Worldwide stand managed to showcase all the Russia-based stakeholders. Twenty national film companies presented over 110 movies, series and animated films to drive sales to potential customers.

The top results are as follows: the sale of the huge animated hit «Moonzy: Homecoming» to the Middle East, North Africa and Mongolia CTB Film Company sold, as well as further talks to sell the animated film to Turkey; A number of animated series like «Rockoons», «The Secrets of Honey Hills», «Oomka & Me» (SMF Animation) fascinated the major market players of the MENA region – Dubai TV, Oman TV, Abu Dhabi Media. Other important market results include interest in the animated series «Puppies & Kittens» (Digital Television Russia) and the discussion of coproduction with India, Malaysia and Philippines (ROCK Films).

Russia-based film companies arranged more than 400 meetings with foreign content buyers. The international partners highlighted the diversity of Russian movie genres, not to mention high-tech cinematography, gripping plots, and general emphasis on family values and traditions which are so important to the Middle Eastern audience, as well as praised the easy availability of many animated projects both in series and feature film format.

Russian companies revealed a strong demand for super high budget action films and series with a plot that is clear for audiences of all ages, as well as thrillers, dramas, romance movies, animation for preschoolers, historical series and documentaries about Russian history, nature and travelling, dramas and thrillers, action series.

Over 900 attendees from 70+ countries were welcomed to the DICM market, reaffirming it as the industry’s largest event within the MENA region.

SMF Animation hosted a number of meetings in Dubai with firms from Iran, Iraq, Korea, Chile and other states, including renowned market participants from the MENA region: Dubai TV, Oman TV, Rotana, Abu Dhabi Media and etc. Animated series as «Rockoons», «The Secrets of Honey Hills», «Oomka & Me», as well as new feature-length releases, stirred up quite a bit of interest.

Reportedly, Voronezh Animation Studio held talks with distributors, VOD platforms and TV channels officials from the the MENA region, as well as Asian and European ones. When it comes to the «The Steel Family. Brotherhood vs Gold» project, foreign buyers noted the presence of down-home values familiar to the audiences in the regions mentioned earlier. «Arctic Heroes» mesmerize local viewers with their exciting adventures amidst snowy scenery.

The latest feature-length New-Year’s cartoon «Kids-e-Cats. New year Film» (Art Pictures Distribution) caught the eye of film studios from the UAE, India, Oman, Turkey, South Korea and the Baltic states.

Digital Television Russia hosted meetings with partners from Pakistan, India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey and other countries. There seemed to be a considerable enthusiasm for the project «Puppies & Kittens» released by Parovoz Animation Studio.

Terra Anima’s main project «Tugan Batyr» became a hot topic for Free TV and Pay TV broadcasters based in the UAE, India, Singapore and Estonia. The company also established contacts with Iran and the UAE for potential co-productions.

According to the YARKO Animation Company, customers were intrigued by projects for little kids and older ones alike. Purchasers from various countries (UAE, Egypt, India, Singapore, Spain, etc.) were very much impressed with the versatility of the animated film offerings. They were also introduced to projects like «Team M.A.T.C.H.», «Dragonia» and others.

As far as Roy Entertainment is concerned, DICM emerged as a very productive market for the company. Indian distributors, TV networks for kids in areas of the Arab World, along with various airline distributors have displayed much curiosity about the «Super Meow» animated series.

KinoAtis anticipates multiple profitable deals by the end of DICM. While in Dubai, the Russian film company unveiled the animated series «Space Dogs. Cosmic adventure».