Content is at play and comes to life as the Jumeriah Beach Hotel Conference Centre is set to host the Dubai International Content Market – DICM on November 23rd and 24th. DICM is the leading exclusive event specially designed and structured for content producers and distributors looking for development opportunities with broadcasters and other platforms. Since its inception, DICM has played an essential and pivotal role in the content industry in the region, paving the way for many international content producers to enter the market. With Dubai being an important global hub, DICM is considered the gateway to tapping into the Middle East, Africa, and beyond.
For this, DICM was even recently awarded the Best Annual Media Industry Event in the MENA for 2022 by the MEA Markets region for its success in offering brands in the global and regional entertainment, media, and content industry an interactive platform that allows them to explore the regional market and further develop their businesses. "DICM is an example and a reference point in the content media sector within the region. The Middle Eastern media and entertainment market was valued at USD 30,349.4 million in 2020, and it is expected to reach a value of USD 47,029.82 million by 2026 while registering a CAGR of 7.4% during this period.1 This also displays that the Middle East media and entertainment industry is undergoing significant transformation. Cultural shifts among the region's youth have spawned considerable traction, and untapped demand for local Arabic content will spur regional media to grow considerably. We expect DICM to be a significant contributor to this growth as we connect people from around the world to tap into this region for new partnerships and business development," Eng. Anas Al Madani, Vice Chairman and Group CEO of INDEX Holding, stated.
DICM's objective is to drive internationally selected content in the Middle East and to highlight regional productions by allowing them to present their library to buyers and attain pre-selection into the acquisition process. Its goal is to successfully support expanding diverse selected content into the region by facilitating contacts with broadcasters, OTT, and VOD platform operators. Notably, DICM will welcome Türkiye as the Guest of Honour this year with a dedicated country pavilion promoting Turkish content. Türkiye is a very dynamic and prolific country regarding content creation. So, with the support of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, Turkish content will be under the spotlight this year at DICM.
Additionally, for the first time, DICM will be introducing screenings at the event. These screenings will allow content producers and distributors to showcase their latest titles to all dedicated buyers attending the market. DICM also encourages and supports homegrown UAE rising enterprises by providing them with a B2B platform to promote and sell their content to pre-qualified regional and international buyers. One of the rising enterprises participating this year will be AC Comics, established by an Emirati content creator specializing in storytelling through Comics and Animation. Buyers participating in the event will also have access to DICM's Content Business Hub platform and lounge, giving them over 10,000 hours of content to browse through. They can preschedule meetings with sellers in advance. DICM will be an action-packed exhibition that includes country pavilions from Türkiye, South Korea, Spain, and Russia. Buyers and visitors will be able to see the latest titles, including "The English" from All3Media International, "The Departure" from Red Arrow Studios International, "Parrot" from Onza Distribution, "Respect 2" from Inter Medya, "Secrets of an Angel" from TRT, "The Voice, The Legend, Vicente Fernández" from Caracol Television, "The Rebel" from HA International and many more.
DICM also welcomes pre-qualified buyers from OSN, MBC, Shahid, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Spafax and Anuvu from UAE; Arab Media Network from Jordan; Shoof Max and Noor Play from Lebanon; Oman TV; Bahrain TV; Qazaqstan TV and Astana TV from Kazakhstan; 2M and Digital Virgo from Morocco; Yara and ENTV from Algeria; Al Watania from Tunisia; and many more. The Dubai International Content Market is organized annually by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions Organization Est., a member of INDEX Holding. The DICM 2022 edition will welcome over 60 exhibitors from around the world.