Former Mister Smith Entertainment exec Antone Saliba is spearheading a newly launched management and production company focused on the Middle East and the South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA) region.
Untamed Entertainment, unveiled from the Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, comes with backing from Dubai-based Front Row Productions, the joint venture between distribution companies Front Row Filmed Entertainment and Empire Entertainment.
Alongside representing filmmakers from the established Middle East industry hubs of Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Untamed aims to identify, develop, and promote talent from traditionally underrepresented countries within the region, such as Jordan, Morocco, Syria, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Iran. It plans to work on a non-exclusive basis with all production and distribution parties in the region, as well as U.S. and international studios and streamers.
The company’s opening roster of clients includes an impressive mix of critically acclaimed writers and directors, including Palme d’Or nominee Abu Bakr Shawky (Yomeddine, Hajjan), Oscar nominee Bassel Ghandour (Theeb, The Alleys), Amjad Al Rasheed (Inshallah a Boy), Firas Khoury (Alam), Yassmina Karajah (Rupture, The Sand Castle), Paris Alrjoob (The Red Sea Makes Me Wanna Cry) and Mayar Al Nouri.
“At Untamed, we’re combining our understanding of local languages, cultures and stories, with a deep knowledge of the global entertainment business, to elevate the voices from the most innovative players in this region,” said Saliba, who began his career in the CAA mailroom and later joined Mister Smith as a sales and acquisitions executive. “SWANA filmmakers have previously had to rely solely on the support of European co-production funding and festival selection to find new audiences. Our vision is to fundamentally influence the regional infrastructure and strengthen relationships with international studios, to help filmmakers find additional opportunities to express their unique creative vision. We believe this will allow them to reach wider audiences on a global scale.”
Front Row CEO Gianluca Chakra added: “With the local theatrical and digital market expanding, there is a concrete need for such a venture in order to foster new local talent and compete with the increasingly sophisticated western content audiences are consuming. We saw immediately that Antone’s vision for Untamed Talent fills a gap in the local and broader market. His ability to identify, connect with, and grow bourgeoning new regional talent is critical. Untamed will be instrumental in illuminating untapped opportunities and the key to unlocking them is in championing our deeply diverse SWANA creative talent pool to promote fresh and exciting new voices.”
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