About
Front Row Filmed Entertainment

Leading Independent Film Distributors and Producers based in the MENA region

Front Row Filmed Entertainment is Front Row’s distribution arm and one of the leading distributors in the MENA region. The company currently boasts a catalogue of over 1,200 titles and typically acquires 120+ titles per year across all rights, as well as distributing an extra 100+ titles on behalf of other rightsholders.

Front Row typically releases approximately 50 titles theatrically every year through its distribution network, which covers the entire MENA with key partnerships in Saudi Arabia with leading homegrown exhibitor Muvi Cinemas, and the Kuwait National Cinema Company in Kuwait.

Front Row also has established itself as a leader in the post-theatrical space, having pioneered the PVOD window back in 2014 and struck several key partnerships with regional players including an long-standing output agreement with BeIN MediaGroup, the MENA’s leading PAY TV network as well as Netflix, having sold the platform over 500 titles since 2016. The also aggregates exclusively for iTunes and Google Play in the region. On top of that, Front Row regularly deals with all international and local players including but not limited to the likes of MBC Shahid, OSN, StarzPlay and many more.

Beyond Film Distribution

We are deeply committed to supporting and promoting the growth of the regional film industry. In 2020, Front Row co-founded Front Row Productions in partnership with Empire Entertainment, one of the region’s leading distributors and partners of Sony Pictures for more than 40 years, with the goal of developing and producing Arabic films and TV Series. In January 2021, Front Row Productions signed a multi-year agreement with Netflix – the first picture of the deal, the Arabic adaptation of the Italian smash hit “Perfect Strangers”, was Netflix’ first Arabic original feature and featured an all-star cast led by Nadine Labaki.

The film premiered on the platform in January 2022, topping the regional charts for weeks and reaching #3 globally. Front Row Production’s upcoming slate includes the eerie atmospheric horror “The Sandcastle”, also starring Nadine Labaki.

Our Team

Gianluca Chakra

Founder & CEO

Carine Chaiban

Director, Post-Theatrical Sales

Elie Touma

Acquisitions & Distribution Director

Maia Mallas

Head of Development

Nicolas Torloting

COO

Key Exhibition Partners

Key Licensors

Key Licensors

Key Licensors

Key Licensors

Have a project? Get in touch

Have a Project? Get In Touch