Middle East distributor and producer, Front Row Filmed Entertainment, and Rocket Science, a financing, production and sales firm, have entered into a joint venture to form a Dubai-based film and TV company.
Yalla Yalla will focus on producing Arabic language entertainment, a statement said, adding that it will develop, package, produce and finance television and feature film projects for the rapidly expanding Middle East and North Africa territory, with a view to expand beyond the region.
The statement said the team has already been active in acquiring remake rights as well as developing original content with the aim of having four feature films and two TV series produced within the first 18 months.
Rocket Science said it will leverage its talent, producing and financing relationships in the US and Europe, while Front Row and its partner, Kuwait National Cinema Company, will harness their regional relationships with filmmakers and financiers.
The company will also collaborate with former Wild Bunch head of acquisitions, Rita Dagher, as its creative producer, whose credits include Four Lions and Fahrenheit 9/11.
Dagher said: “The Middle East, including North Africa, thrives with powerful stories waiting to be told. Yalla Yalla will provide a home for a new wave of exciting and diverse filmmakers with unique voices to tell their stories and embrace all kinds of genres and formats.
“Our intention is to encourage filmmakers to go into new directions and be part of, not just the Arab world, but also an international one.”
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