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Today, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have grown in prominence in a globalised world that is undergoing dramatic shifts in the content space. The region’s vivid tales and timeless traditions appeal to audiences well beyond its borders.
By presenting us with stories that strike a balance between universal appeal and authenticity, MENA content creators are breaking new ground and changing the face of global content creation.
Two crucial components — regional storytelling and strategic distribution — are at the heart of this shift, serving as avenues for cultural representation, as well as artistic and commercial growth into global markets.
Cultural tapestry
The majority of MENA’s creative output was previously viewed through the prism of news reports or stereotypes. Over the years, the MENA region’s storytelling has evolved to combine traditional themes with contemporary ones like identity, resilience, and innovation.
Similarly, stories from the region frequently emphasise the importance of familial bonds and social well-being, displaying the power of relationships and the role of community in lives.
But this is now changing rapidly. New-age storytellers are reinventing narratives by presenting new, genuine, and complex viewpoints that go against clichés. The region taps into its rich cultural heritage to present stories that speak to viewers locally and globally, which is an obvious reminder of how values and emotions cut across national borders.
Recent triumphs with globally recognised films such as Wadjda and Capernaum prove MENA’s capacity to portray stories that have an impact on audiences worldwide, while showcasing its distinct cultural legacy.
Another case in point is the in-production City of Life Continuum a truly cross over Emirati International film. The film brings together a stellar Emirati cast and crew together with some leading international counterparts, making the film truly global and very exportable.
Completely filmed and produced in Dubai this film will be on more than 200 screens when it is released later during the year and will find its way to international and local streaming platforms in 2026.
Strategic distribution of content
Here is a key factor in bringing MENA’s stories into the global spotlight – effective distribution. Keep in mind that strategic distribution involves more than just posting content online. It involves audience segmentation, language localisation, platform optimisation, and data-driven decision-making.
The advent of television, cinema, and the internet resulted in the adaptation of traditional tales into films, TV series, and digital content, making them more accessible to a wider audience.
The region employs two key strategies for this–partnerships with global production companies and digital platforms. While regional OTT platforms enable MENA content to be viewed globally through effective dubbing and subtitling, partnerships with international studios promise technical expertise and global reach, both of which readily enhance the visibility of MENA productions on the global stage.
In addition to transforming the global content landscape, MENA’s strategic distribution and regional storytelling capabilities are promoting cross-cultural collaborations. More importantly, the MENA region continues to be an innovator in narratives and distribution, serving as a model for other regions.
This, in my opinion, proves that a localised approach coupled with a global vision can deliver engaging content that appeals to all audiences. This strategy also helps create a more varied and richer content ecosystem that celebrates the uniqueness of every culture.
The MENA region’s digital content economy is thriving as well, and the modern content landscape is growing in the hands of content producers who create everything from entertainment to education. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok, as well as improved internet access, are contributing to the growth of this lucrative segment. These developments are not only enhancing the region’s visibility but also presenting its rich history and modern energy to the global community.
As the premier forum for content creation, industry collaboration, and emerging media technologies in the region, the upcoming CABSAT 2025 proves to be an ideal venue to showcase and learn about these new developments in regional content and distribution channels.
The 31st edition of the flagship event brings together key stakeholders from all segments of the media and broadcast industries to assess the impact of these trends in shaping a robust content ecosystem.
To conclude, the MENA region’s content trajectory towards global recognition promises encouraging prospects. With a growing number of young, tech-savvy storytellers, advanced digital platforms, and a thriving content creation ecosystem, the region is on track to play an even larger role in the global arena.
As more regional stories make their way to audiences around the world, the region makes clear that adhering to Western-centric narratives is not always necessary for global success. Aside from that, the stories from the MENA region further reassure the world of the capacity of effective storytelling and distribution to transcend boundaries.
By Manoj Abraham Mathew, Director – Dubai Studios, Dubai Media Inc, UAE
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