DUBAI - The organizers of DISCOP Dubai, one of the most important television events with a special focus on the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, announced the winners for its premiere edition of the Arab Format Accelerator (AFA) recently in Dubai Intercontinental Festival City.

The contest was held in the context of DISCOP Dubai 2018 and is set to become a permanent fixture of the 3-day annual market, the AFA is a joint initiative between Khulud Abu Homos, CEO of the Arab Format Lab, a television content developer based in Dubai, Cairo and Jeddah; and the organizers of the Dubai edition of the DISCOP film, television, online content and adaptation rights markets.

This initiative is further evidence that demand for high quality Arabic content in the region has increased by almost 40 percent between 2011-2016, while Western content has seen its share decrease by an average of 55 percent, creating opportunities for regional producers to dominate the airwaves and secure their share of the market.

“We are amidst a positive transformation on the demand for socially relevant international formats. Lots of regional executives ask me 'why do we need to imitate successful international TV concepts? Can’t we create our own?' In the Middle East, specifically in the Gulf and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we are witnessing a drastic positive change in both governments’ focus and solid investment in local content and talents which is perceived as the most vital pillar to hold a valid media industry aimed at excellence, originality and financial viability,” said Abu Homos.

The 2-day AFA initiative provided 20 up-and-coming creators and established producers with an opportunity to “elevator pitch” original ideas as well as existing concepts for scripted and unscripted TV shows in a wide spectrum of content genres. These pitches will be directed at key production, commissioning and marketing executives driving television business across the Middle East and seeking fresh ideas. - SG