TWELVE-MONTH HIGHLIGHT(S):
Front Row Productions: The Empire International's joint production
arm celebrated the release of its second Netflix original, Matty
Brown’s THE SAND CASTLE, which reached fourth place on
Netflix’s global charts at the time of its release and accumulated
over five million views.
FRP's Production Slate: The company is currently working on the
Jordanian underworld thriller THE OWL and the Saudi road-trip
comedy MY TREAT. The company also acquired the rights to the life
of bank robber Sally Hafez — the Lebanese woman who stormed a
bank to access her savings in 2022 during Lebanon’s financial crisis
— as well.
FRFE’s Releases in 2024: SAIFY in Saudi theatres, marking its third
collaboration with Telfaz11.
Variety500: In December 2024, Chakra was honored for the sixth
time in the Variety500 list of the most influential business leaders
shaping the global media industry.
INTERVIEW
What advice would you give to ensure more successful Arab co-productions? What are the best ways to
bring together money, talents, and partners from across the region while still telling authentic stories
that are culturally specific?
To navigate the wild world of Arab co-productions and come out
on top, we need to embrace the art of transparent collaborations:
1. Trust is Key — But So is Transparency: Think of trust as the glue
that holds partnerships together. Open communication and
clearly defined roles are your best friends here. No one likes
surprises! Keeping financial dealings and decisions transparent will
encourage more folks to join the co-production dance.
2. Leverage Regional Strengths — Like Avengers Assemble: Every
partner has their superpower — whether it’s deep pockets,
technical know-how, or a Rolodex of local talent. After all, why
reinvent the wheel when you can have a top-notch director and a
marketing guru on speed dial?
3. Cultural Authenticity: When it comes to storytelling, local talent
is gold. Writers, directors, and actors who know the ins and outs of
the culture bring authenticity that resonates. Plus, it gives the
project a sense of pride.
4. Create a Supportive Ecosystem (Think a little village): We need
an environment that nurtures co-productions, complete with
funding bodies, grants, and incentives designed for strategic
collaboration. Think of it as building a village where everyone
thrives — complete with networking events and workshops that
let industry pros mingle just like old friends. Usually, these are
done only with the bigger companies when, in fact, we could do it
organically as we are the ones feeding them.
5. Align on Shared Goals Exactly How A Sports Team Does:
Co-productions work best when everyone’s on the same page.
Focusing on themes that resonate across the Arab World ensures
we score both artistic points and market success.
6. Encourage Cross-Cultural Exchange: Bring everyone to the
table. Cross-cultural exchanges allow talents from different
backgrounds to share ideas like a potluck dinner: Everyone brings
something unique, and together it’s a feast of creativity.
7. Utilize Technology: In this digital age, technology is the bridge
that connects us.
8. Highlight Success Stories… Because Who Doesn’t Love a Good
Tale?: Let’s shine a spotlight on successful Arab co-productions.
Sharing these triumphs is like passing around a trophy. It’s always
been ultra-competitive in the region, where now it’s becoming
detrimental. This needs to change where my success would be
your success or at least inspire you... and vice versa.
