Beta Film & O3 Productions team for Arab-European copros

Beta Film and O3 Productions, the production arm of Middle Eastern broadcaster MBC, are partnering for a multi-series deal to coproduce scripted projects that bridge Arab and European world.

The deal marks the first major partnership O3 has made with a European business. A number of series are already in development under the new agreement.

O3 will develop projects out of the MENA region which also feature a European angle. The current slate includes a crime series set between Iraq and Scandinavia, a thriller based between Germany and Lebanon and a post-World War II title set in Italy that charts the rise of the global narcotics trade in the Middle East.

There will also be a Cairo-set drama which follows through decades of international espionage rivalry between great global powers.

Fadi Ismail, group director of O3, said: “We are proud to be pioneering a unique collaboration which will combine creative talent from the Arab and European regions and bring fresh, original programming to the global market.

“With Beta Films’ connections to the international broadcast and production community and the wealth of creative talent at O3, we believe we can bring audiences around the world compelling new stories from a region that has all too often been misrepresented.”

Moritz von Kruedener (pictured), managing director at Beta Film, added: “Our partnership will mark a big step in bringing the incredible creative talent of the Arab world to an international audience.

“This cooperation introduces fresh ideas of the MENA region to our European partners and combine the production potential of both areas.”