22 minute read
NEWS
Action Filmz ships rental equipment to Tunisia for MBC production
Dubai-based Action Filmz Productions and Rentals has secured a landmark project that has enabled it to send a huge consignment of equipment to Tunisia for a high-profile MBC production that will be used for 30 weeks running, from July to January 2023.
“This consignment includes everything that is required for a big production including three dollies, cranes, specialised grip equipment, six Sony Venice cameras, a Phantom high-speed camera, RED cameras, various set of lenses and the entire lighting package for both units,” commented Crispin Dominic, CEO, Action Filmz Productions and Rentals.
“This is also a historic moment for the UAE. Usually, we see equipment shipped to the emirate for large productions. The fact that broadcasters are now willing to ship entire production equipment and rigs from Dubai shows the confidence they have in our solutions. We have supplied equipment to MBC for several productions, so when they wanted to shoot something in Tunisia they felt more confident to take it from a trusted local partner than go with a company from Europe, because we have often gone the extra mile to support them on their production journeys.”
Action Filmz, which started as a small operation 18 years ago, has slowly built its portfolio of products and a reputation in the market for being the first to bring new technology to the industry. The company recently purchased the U-Crane arm (formerly called the Russian arm), ARRI Alexa 35 cameras and the Servicevision Scorpio 45 crane, the first of its kind in the Middle East, which was being shipped to Qatar for the World Cup as we went to press.
The rental house, which also operates seven warehouses within Dubai’s Al Quoz area, has now leased a large plot of 50,000sqft to build a massive playground for the professional community of photographers, videographers, filmmakers and the like to engage, communicate and work together. The area will bring together all of Action Filmz’ studios, rental spaces and other operations to ensure that the community can get everything they require from the same space.
“This has been a lifelong dream and the opportunity presented itself when the right space became available for me to execute this project,” explained Dominic. “Work is in progress and we are expecting this ecosystem to be ready by mid-2023.”
Crispin Dominic.
Daw winners wrap up production of four feature films in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Film Commission (SFC) has announced that the four feature film winners of its Daw Film Competition have concluded production. The competition, launched in 2019 by the Saudi Film Commission, aims to support and empower emerging Saudi film talent and develop the Kingdom’s burgeoning film industry.
The films – Within Sand, written and directed by Moe Alatawi; Raven Song, directed by Mohamed Alsalman; Norah, scripted and directed by Tawfik Alzaidi; and Derat Ajdadi, directed by Danya Alhmrani – all wrapped in August.
Abdullah Al-Eyaf, CEO of Saudi Film Commission, said: “We launched the Daw Film Competition to discover new local talent and empower creative storytelling. Talent development is of strategic significance to our industry and is central to achieving our goals. The competition aims to share authentic Saudi stories and films with the rest of the world, helping us to create a thriving film industry in Saudi Arabia. We are proud of these four filmmakers, and we look forward to creating more quality productions in the future.”
A scene from Within Sand, one of the winners of the Daw Film Competition.
Arabia Pictures Group and Greek audiovisual group Tanweer have signed a partnership that will see them cooperate on production and distribution across all formats in MENA. The first venture will be to develop and produce a slate of three features to be shot in the region and directed by emerging talent. The three-picture pact is joined by Egyptian production company Vibrations Studios. Tanweer has been active in Greece, Cyprus, the Middle East, India and Turkey for over 30 years. Recent productions include award-winning Greek series Smyrna.
Roua Almadani, CEO of Arabia Pictures, said: “We are thrilled to work with such a media powerhouse as Tanweer, and our partnership involves many projects from film production to talent development to investments in new technologies. Producing original content together will keep empowering storytellers from the region in sharing their distinctive stories.” Joseph Samaan, President of Tanweer, added that the company was also looking to collaborate together on Web3.
The first title to wrap is Gawwezni, a romantic comedy about a young man, Fares, who madly falls in love with Lily, which will be released by the end of the year. Starring The Crown’s Amir El-Masry, Zodiac’s Mayan El Sayed, veteran Sabrin and Bayoumi Fouad, it is directed by first-time filmmaker Essam Nassar.
First-time filmmaker Essam Nassar's romantic comedy Gawwezni, starring Mayan El Sayed and Amir El-Masry, is scheduled for release later this year.
TOD now available on Androidsupported TVs across MENA
TOD, beIN Media Group’s streaming platform, has launched on Android-supported TVs across 21 MENA countries. It can be installed on Android-supported TVs, enabling customers to stream entertainment options including blockbusters; top Arabic, Turkish, international and children’s content; and new TOD Originals.
Etere opens new Dubai office
Etere has opened a UAE office in Dubai Silicon Oasis to expand its business. The office will serve as the HQ for all commercial activities, while Etere Singapore remains focused on the APAC market. Etere also has a support centre in Italy.
Fabio Gattari, Director of Etere, said: “Even during the pandemic, we have enjoyed tremendous success and continue to forge strong relationships with partners in countries with a good connection with the UAE. With strong support from our partners and customers, we decided to open our new headquarters in Dubai."
Netflix to release Arabic reality show Dubai Bling in October
Netflix's new reality show titled Dubai Bling is due to premiere exclusively on the platform on October 27. This high-value production docu-soap follows 10 Arab millionaires living their dreams in Dubai. The cast is predominantly Arab, with behind-the-scenes access to the daily lives of the trailblazers who are at the top of their fields, from real estate to entertainment to socialites and influencers.
Reservoir Media and PopArabia acquire Voice of Beirut
New York-based independent music company Reservoir Media, in partnership with MENA-based music company and publisher PopArabia, has acquired Lebanese label and music publisher Voice of Beirut. This acquisition builds on Reservoir’s emerging markets strategy, further diversifying the company’s music rights in the fastgrowing MENA region, the company stated.
MBC Group announces HQ in Riyadh
MBC Group has inaugurated its new headquarters in Riyadh. During an exclusive purple-carpet event held under the patronage of Dr Majid bin Abdullah Alkassabi, Acting Minister of Media of Saudi Arabia, MBC Group’s new centre of operations was inaugurated by Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim, Chairman of MBC Group.
During the launch, Al Ibrahim stated: “Three decades on after the beginning of MBC Group’s journey, we are finally here in Riyadh … our homeland. It was always in our ambition to be based here, right from the very first day of our launch in London in 1991. But back then, we truly thought that this dream would remain what it was, merely an ambitious yet unattainable dream. Little did we know that one day, it would become a reality.”
Sam Barnett, CEO of MBC Group, added that the new HQ will serve as a “springboard to launch new projects across the Kingdom” and revealed that more than 80 titles were scheduled to be produced in Saudi Arabia in the coming period.
Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim, Chairman of MBC Group.
BeIN obtains anti-piracy injunction against MyTek in Tunisia
Tunisian courts have granted BeIN's request for an emergency injunction against Tunisian electronics retailer MyTek. It will no longer sell IPTV products that carry pirated beIN channels, pending a final hearing by the court.
MyTek had been selling subscriptions to IPTV services that stream pirated beIN channels over the internet. Piracy is widely prevalent in Tunisia with more than 80% of the country's consumers viewing sports and entertainment content through piracy, according to studies by Sigma Conseil.
Roxy Cinemas opens biggest cinema screen at Dubai Hills Mall
The new Roxy Cinemas multiplex at Dubai Hills Mall has 15 screens – seven Platinum Screens, seven Silver Screens and the Roxy Xtreme, which measures 28m x 15.1m. Fernando Eiroa, CEO at Dubai Holding Entertainment, said: “The new Roxy Xtreme features 418 premium recliners across three tiers: Standard, Premium and Director’s Boxes.”
Guests can enjoy the screen from its VIP Director’s Boxes featuring 36 luxurious seats with wireless charging, heated seats and a personal swivel table.
Eutelsat selects Babeleye as Sat.tv video metadata provider
Eutelsat has reconfirmed Babeleye, a global player in content metadata for video platforms, as the supplier of metadata for its free-to-air content discovery platform Sat.tv. With Babeleye’s expertise and its position in MEA, Eutelsat has lifted the user experience when finding content and improved the visibility of linear channels. Without any subscription costs and with no Internet connection, viewers can consult an image-rich multilingual guide with content grouped per genre, from a myriad of linear channels. All data is provided over satellite through a Sat.tv set-top box, useful for TV viewers in regions where home broadband Internet is unreliable or unavailable.
Jordanian podcast company Sowt acquires Finyal Media
Sowt, an independent podcast and media company from Jordan, has acquired Dubai podcast production company Finyal Media. The move will strengthen Sowt’s push for audience growth, commercial opportunities and creative content, the company said. The acquisition was financed by Sowt and Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF), a New York-registered non-profit organisation.
Al Sharqiya upgrades London MCR with Imagine Communications’ Versio
The new solution will help the Iraqi broadcaster streamline its master control workflows.
Iraqi broadcaster Al Sharqiya Group has implemented a comprehensive playout system built around Imagine Communications’ Versio fully integrated playout platform at its London-based facility. Replacing a traditional infrastructure, the system helps Al Sharqiya to streamline its master control workflows, providing improved operational and cost efficiencies, and offering the flexibility to expand and change the system as business needs evolve.
Al Sharqiya broadcasts two channels: one for news, with studios in Baghdad and Erbil in Iraq and in Amman, Jordan; and one carrying a mix of premium programming including drama and entertainment, alongside hourly news bulletins. It has production centres in Baghdad, Erbil, Dubai, Amman and London. Its West London master control room (MCR) handles the playout and distribution for Al Sharqiya News. The channels are very popular in Iraq and widely appreciated by nationals around the world.
Ahmed Bin-Afif, CTO of Al Sharqiya Group, said: “Setting technical considerations aside, the really important question in a master control environment is about how easy it is to use the system. The ease of use, flexibility, the ease of manipulating the content: those are major advantages of Imagine’s Versio playout system. Versio also [makes it] easy to add channels, to complete our transition to SMPTE ST 2110 and to move to UHD when our audience demands it.
“We are also looking towards the cloud for our operations, because of the collaborations we have between our bases in Iraq, across the Middle East and London, and because of our growing archive. In fact, Al Sharqiya Group is launching a new OTT service called 1001 at the beginning of 2023 and Imagine is an important part of that plan.”
The growing ambitions of Al Sharqiya Group have increased demand for flexible playout facilities, switching between live studios and recorded output and editing and inserting news items into the rundown. Typically, five or six studios are providing content at any time for Al Sharqiya News. With its traditional playout infrastructure, this called for a large number of operational and technical staff, the company said.
The London MCR was originally built around Imagine Nexio servers, explained Zaid Wattar of Wave Media Solutions, systems integrator on the Al Sharqiya Group upgrade project. “The Versio platform is very advanced and very flexible. In a traditional playout centre you might need multiple operators, but with Versio playout, a single operator can drive the system and that operator can be located anywhere in the world. Even though the playout facilities are in London, they can be operated from Erbil or Dubai, so the UK staff does not need to work overnight or make early starts. This simplicity and flexibility are what attracted Al Sharqiya Group to the Imagine Versio platform.”
Anas Hantash, who heads MENA and South Asia operations at Imagine Communications, commented: “Al Sharqiya Group has always been at the forefront of broadcasting technology in the region, and we have been proud to be a technology partner for close to 20 years. This project is another step in our continuing relationship.”
The new Versio system was supplied by Wave Media Solutions, with design and installation completed by engineering teams at Al Sharqiya Group in collaboration with engineers from Wave Media Solutions and Imagine Communications. The new playout system at Al Sharqiya News has been on air since May.
New URSA Broadcast G2New URSA Broadcast G2
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The new Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 is an incredibly powerful The new Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 is an incredibly powerful camera designed for both traditional and online broadcasters. camera designed for both traditional and online broadcasters. The 3 cameras in 1 design allows it to work as a 4K production The 3 cameras in 1 design allows it to work as a 4K production camera, a 4K studio camera or a 6K digital film camera! It’s a perfect camera, a 4K studio camera or a 6K digital film camera! It’s a perfect solution for broadcasters because it uses the lenses and batteries solution for broadcasters because it uses the lenses and batteries you already own! No other broadcast camera is so flexible! you already own! No other broadcast camera is so flexible! Compatible with B4 Broadcast Lenses Compatible with B4 Broadcast Lenses
The URSA Broadcast G2 features a B4 broadcast lens mount that includes optics The URSA Broadcast G2 features a B4 broadcast lens mount that includes optics specifically designed to match the camera’s sensor. B4 lenses are fantastic because specifically designed to match the camera’s sensor. B4 lenses are fantastic because they are par-focal, so the image stays in focus as you zoom in and out, so you don’t they are par-focal, so the image stays in focus as you zoom in and out, so you don’t need to constantly chase focus as you shoot. You also get full electronic lens control need to constantly chase focus as you shoot. You also get full electronic lens control to adjust focus, iris and zoom using the camera’s controls, or remotely! to adjust focus, iris and zoom using the camera’s controls, or remotely!
Get Digital Film Quality for Broadcast Get Digital Film Quality for Broadcast
The large 6K sensor combined with Blackmagic generation 5 color science gives The large 6K sensor combined with Blackmagic generation 5 color science gives you the same imaging technology used in digital film cameras. The 6K sensor you the same imaging technology used in digital film cameras. The 6K sensor features a resolution of 6144 x 3456 so it’s flexible enough for broadcast and features a resolution of 6144 x 3456 so it’s flexible enough for broadcast and digital film work. When using B4 lenses, you get a 4K window of the sensor for digital film work. When using B4 lenses, you get a 4K window of the sensor for Ultra HD broadcast use. Ultra HD broadcast use. Use Common Media and File Formats! Use Common Media and File Formats!
You can record in ProRes 422 HQ and ProRes 422 into QuickTime files. The new You can record in ProRes 422 HQ and ProRes 422 into QuickTime files. The new Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 model can even record into H.265 for incredibly Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 model can even record into H.265 for incredibly small files at 60:1 to 285:1 compression ratios, in 10-bit broadcast quality. Plus small files at 60:1 to 285:1 compression ratios, in 10-bit broadcast quality. Plus you can record to Blackmagic RAW files, a revolutionary new format designed you can record to Blackmagic RAW files, a revolutionary new format designed to capture and preserve the quality of the sensor data from the camera. to capture and preserve the quality of the sensor data from the camera.
Exceptional Low Light Performance Exceptional Low Light Performance
The new URSA Broadcast features incredible low light performance so you can The new URSA Broadcast features incredible low light performance so you can shoot using ambient light or even under moonlight! The Blackmagic URSA shoot using ambient light or even under moonlight! The Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 features gain from -12dB (100 ISO) up to +36dB (25,600 ISO) Broadcast G2 features gain from -12dB (100 ISO) up to +36dB (25,600 ISO) so it’s optimized to reduce grain and noise in images, while maintaining the full so it’s optimized to reduce grain and noise in images, while maintaining the full dynamic range of the sensor. dynamic range of the sensor.
Blackmagic Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2 URSA Broadcast G2 US$4,615US$4,615
Twofour54 launches The Community Hub for creatives and startups
Last month, Abu Dhabi media, entertainment and gaming freezone twofour54 unveiled The Community Hub at its brand-new headquarters at Yas Creative Hub, reported to be the first purpose-built development for the creative sector in the region. The Community Hub is a collaborative co-creating space aimed at bringing together aspiring filmmakers, storytellers, animators, freelancers, startups, SME content creators and gamers so they can network, collaborate, use the Hub’s facilities and bring their projects to fruition. It also serves as a platform to connect members with twofour54’s established partners, enabling invaluable business and networking opportunities.
To this effect, The Community Hub features an array of spaces, from private meeting rooms and lounges to a screening room and brainstorming areas, priced to accommodate creatives and businesses with varying budgets. Spaces for creatives and freelancers are available for as little as AED 500 ($136) a month, while established businesses could potentially secure a hot desk and a licence for AED 20,000 ($5,434). There are 70 workstations to accommodate established businesses, and 12 meeting rooms designed to seat six or 12 people at one end of the facility.
“There's a community hub manager and a booking system,” explained Yara Awad, Head of Commercial Projects & Strategic Partnerships, twofour54 Abu Dhabi – Media and Entertainment Hub. “You don't have to be a registered freelancer. You could be a university student. We have ensured prices are affordable and competitive, so creatives can get on with their projects. These small spaces can be booked from one month to more, based on how long they need the space for.”
A dedicated centre for gaming, AD Gaming Hub, which houses a Centre of Excellence established by software developer Unity Technologies, is available for startups, professionals and small businesses to learn and hone their skills. Likewise, twofour54’s Arab Film Studio and The Creative Lab, which has over the years nurtured several young creatives, has dedicated spaces to conduct workshops and training programmes, edit their works and screen them.
Equally impressive are the large spaces for product launches, green rooms and enclosed spaces designed for video interviews. A 39-seat screening room with a 4K projector and a town hall with funky seating spaces are also available for film screenings, presentations and so on.
An impressive unit at this facility is the NVIDIA studio run by the graphics technology company. It has 10 state-ofthe-art studio computers equipped with the latest GeForce RTX Studio GPUs, alongside NVIDIA RTX accelerated applications that can be used for free.
“Some members of the community don't have access to these very highend systems, but they have projects on which they're working. These computers can be booked free-ofcharge, although they are subject to availability. Working on these computers will really help take their projects to the next level. NVIDIA will also be hosting training workshops and events to bring the community together and enhance the skills of creative professionals across the emirate,” Awad stated, adding that twofour54 has also developed a whole calendar of curated events to activate the space.
Mark Whitehead, twofour54 CEO, commented: “At twofour54, each partner brings a wealth of knowledge to the table and makes the community richer and stronger. Research shows that the greatest impact starts with empowering local communities. By introducing The Community Hub, creatives and entrepreneurs will have access to resources that will help them address tomorrow’s most pressing issues. The hub will be an engine of ideation, igniting new projects and businesses and empowering creative talent to grow as they hone their skills side by side with like-minded peers and the industry’s best.”
The Community Hub was built in response to a growing need in the market. It provides talented young people with mentorship opportunities, enabling career progression and ultimately ownership of their full-fledged projects. Beyond its purpose as a private and flexible working space for individuals in the creative industry, The Community Hub provides a medium through which creatives and freelancers can learn from each other, interact and work together towards growing the creative industry in the UAE.
Clockwise from top left: Yara Awad, Head of Commercial Projects & Strategic Partnerships at twofour54; The Town Hall; a studio; and the screening room.
WESTIN MINA SEYAHI / DUBAI / UAE
Welcome to the MENA region’s leading industry conference and awards ceremony
08 November 2022
About the
Summit
The 12th edition of the The 12th edition of the
BroadcastPro Summit and
Awards will be hosted in November, 2022. professionals from the MENA industry peers regularly through comprehensive one-day learning experience for the industry at
The Summit has, over the years, established itself as one of the region’s leading vendor-neutral events aimed at encouraging knowledge sharing and collaboration between professionals in the MENA region. Each of the previous editions of the Summit brought together more than 300 professionals from the MENA region. This event aims to tackle issues related to the latest trends in the marketplace. It encourages the adoption of similar standards within the MENA to ensure that all broadcasters benefit from collaboration. The Summit is part of our commitment to bring together industry peers regularly through workshops and conferences to share technology intelligence, debate best practices and standards in the industry, discuss international and regional case studies, and take home a wealth of knowledge that will enable us to make more informed decisions at our workplaces. BroadcastPro ME is working with a board of industry advisors to ensure that we offer a comprehensive one-day learning experience for the industry at the Summit. The Summit will be designed by professionals for professionals.
2022 Summit & Awards 2022 Summit & Awards Contact Us
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Recognise. Reward. Reinvigorate
The BroadcastPro ME Awards are the apex honours for the regional broadcast industry. They cover a spectrum of categories to celebrate excellence in diverse fields across the broadcast chain, from production and post-production to traditional broadcast and the latest new media platforms. Established for more than a decade, the Awards are widely known for their scrupulous objectivity and openness: winners are selected by a panel of judges from across the MENA region with varying technical skills, ensuring a
balanced and fair outcome for the most deserving stakeholders. The Awards celebrate the broadcast industry. They cover a businesses at the vanguard of the businesses at the vanguard of the industry: not only the technical industry: not only the technical specialists, but the strategists and innovators; not simply the big corporates who are widely known, but the game-changers emerging from the margins onto centre-stage. Year on year, the Awards provide an exceptionally fertile platform for industry interaction, providing for industry interaction, providing an accurate regional barometer of an accurate regional barometer of the ‘A-list’ names wholeheartedly driving change and best practice.
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BEST TV PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR BEST TV PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR BEST OTT PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR BEST OTT PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR BEST CONTENT STRATEGY OF THE YEAR BEST CONTENT STRATEGY OF THE YEAR BEST STUDIO OF THE YEAR BEST STUDIO OF THE YEAR BEST SPORTS STRATEGY OF THE YEAR BEST SPORTS STRATEGY OF THE YEAR BEST KIDS’ INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR BEST KIDS’ INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR BROADCASTPROME INNOVATIVE PROJECT OF BROADCASTPROME INNOVATIVE PROJECT OF THE YEAR THE YEAR MENA TRENDSETTER OF THE YEAR MENA TRENDSETTER OF THE YEAR SYSTEMS INTEGRATOR OF THE YEAR SYSTEMS INTEGRATOR OF THE YEAR BEST 2022 TECH IMPLEMENTATION IN OTT BEST 2022 TECH IMPLEMENTATION IN OTT STREAMING SERVICE OF THE YEAR STREAMING SERVICE OF THE YEAR BEST RADIO INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR BEST RADIO INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR BEST FILM INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR BEST FILM INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR BROADCAST EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR BROADCAST EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR OTT EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR OTT EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
SpecialSatellite Segment SpecialSatellite Segment
SATELLITE OPERATOR OF THE YEAR SATELLITE OPERATOR OF THE YEAR SATELLITE SOLUTIONS PROVIDER OF THE YEAR SATELLITE SOLUTIONS PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
KNOWLEDGE PARTNER KNOWLEDGE PARTNER STRATEGIC PARTNER STRATEGIC PARTNER ASSOCIATE SPONSOR ASSOCIATE SPONSOR ASSOCIATE SPONSOR ASSOCIATE SPONSOR SILVER SPONSOR SILVER SPONSOR
SILVER SPONSOR NETWORKING SPONSOR NETWORKING SPONSOR PRESENTED BY PRESENTED BY PRESENTED BY
