Aslı Serim, Head of Sales at Calinos Entertainment, joins us to talk about their latest successes, including Woman and Forbidden Fruit arriving in Italy, and their first-ever deal with Japan for the Canadian drama Alert Squad. She also shares updates on their hit Turkish series Farah, now in 85 countries and counting, as well as growing interest in their Romanian dramas Ana: You Are in My DNA and Love with Lavender Scent.
Calinos is attending NEM Dubrovnik for the first time and hosting the Welcome Party with the cast of Ana: You Are in My DNA. “It’s a great moment to bring people together around a title that we truly believe in,” says Aslı Serim.
Let’s start with a quick recap of the first half of 2025. We know 2024 was a busy and successful year for Calinos Entertainment, how has this year been shaping up so far?
The first half of 2025 has been a dynamic period for Calinos Entertainment, marked by both challenges and significant achievements. The global economic slowdown has impacted the industry, particularly in Latin America, where acquisition activity has slowed considerably. Despite these market headwinds, Calinos has maintained a strategic and resilient approach, continuing to expand its global footprint.
We’ve secured several key successes this year, reinforcing our position in content distribution. Woman has been licensed to Italy, marking a significant expansion into Western Europe. Our long-running hit Forbidden Fruit was sold to Italy, similarly, strengthening our presence in this key market. We also finalized our first-ever deal with Japan, selling the award-winning Canadian drama Alert Squad, a milestone that highlights the growing global appeal of our diverse catalogue. Furthermore, In Love Again has been sold to the MENA for local adaptation, underscoring the international adaptability of our content.
I’d like to begin with Farah, one of your standout titles, particularly in the CEE region. The series has already been sold to 85 countries, which is an incredible achievement, congratulations! In your view, what makes Farah so globally appealing?
Farah has reached 85 countries, and its global appeal lies in its emotionally powerful and relatable story. At its heart, the series centers on a mother doing everything she can to care for her sick son, facing many hardships along the way. This deep, unconditional love and determination resonate with audiences everywhere.
Another important element is the developing relationship between Farah and Tahir, which adds emotional depth and complexity. Their evolving love story, filled with challenges and trust issues, keeps viewers engaged and invested.
Strong performances by Demet Özdemir and Engin Akyürek, combined with high production values and a story that balances personal struggle with broader social themes, have helped the series find success in diverse markets.
Are there any recent updates regarding Farah’s sales or its expansion into new territories?
Yes, we have sold Farah to Portugal. We’re currently in active negotiations with several partners and expect to make announcements soon once the deals are finalized.
Aslı Serim: “We’re always on the lookout for fresh stories and diverse voices that complement our Turkish content, so expanding internationally is an important part of our growth strategy.”
I’d also love to hear more about Ana: You Are in My DNA. We know it’s a Romanian production, could you describe the show in your own words?
Ana: You Are in My DNA is a powerful Romanian drama produced by Antena and Dream Film. It tells the emotional story of a young woman whose life is shaken when she uncovers a life-changing secret about her origins. As Ana confronts this truth, she’s forced to reevaluate her relationships, her identity, and everything she believed about her family.
What makes the series so engaging is its emotional authenticity. It’s a deeply personal journey that touches on universal themes; family, belonging, trust, and resilience. The writing is sharp and grounded, supported by strong performances that bring depth and realism to the characters.
This is a great example of how Romanian productions continue to deliver high-quality, emotionally resonant stories that can travel well beyond their local markets. We’re confident Ana will appeal to international audiences looking for fresh, character-driven drama.
What are your expectations for Ana: You Are in My DNA in terms of its global journey? Where do you think it could resonate most?
We see Ana: You Are in My DNA as a series with genuine global potential. It tells a deeply personal story, but one that touches on universal themes; family, identity, and the search for belonging when everything you thought you knew is turned upside down. These are emotions that resonate far beyond any one region.
That’s why we’re not placing limits on where it can travel. Naturally, we expect strong interest from markets that connect with character-driven drama, like CEE and LATAM, but we also believe the series has the potential to find its audience in many other parts of the world. Stories told with heart and authenticity tend to cross borders with ease.
We’ve previously discussed Love with Lavender Scent, and we know it’s achieving remarkable ratings in Romania. Are there any new developments in its international journey?
Yes, Love with Lavender Scent continues to perform strongly in Romania, generating solid interest from international buyers. We’re currently in active discussions with several partners who recognize the show’s relatable themes and emotional depth.
We’re optimistic about its potential to connect with new audiences worldwide and expect to share some exciting news soon.
With Love with Lavender Scent and Ana: You Are in My DNA, your catalog now includes a growing number of titles produced outside Türkiye. Are there more international projects in the works?
Yes, for sure. Right now, we have great series from Canada, Romania, Serbia, and the Arab world in our catalog. Whenever we come across projects with solid quality and real potential, we bring them in without hesitation. It helps us offer more variety and connect with different audiences around the world.
We’re always on the lookout for fresh stories and diverse voices that complement our Turkish content, so expanding internationally is an important part of our growth strategy.
Your Turkish dramas, especially Farah and Forbidden Fruit, remain incredibly popular. Based on your current observations, which titles are generating the most interest in the CEE region specifically?
In the CEE region, people really like dramas with strong characters and emotional stories. They connect with shows that focus on family, personal struggles, and strong women, Farah is a great example of that, with its heartfelt story and universal themes. Forbidden Fruit attracts audiences who enjoy dramas full of intrigue, luxury, and glamorous settings. The blend of fashion, complex relationships, and high-stakes drama keeps viewers engaged. It offers a mix of emotional depth and captivating style.
Overall, CEE audiences value series that combine rich storytelling, well-developed characters, and high production quality, whether through emotional family drama or glamorous intrigue.
I’d also like to mention Deeply, a Turkish mini-series that’s been receiving a lot of love at home for its powerful narrative and stunning cinematography. You recently announced the addition of Season 2 to your catalog. What kind of international interest are you expecting for the series?
Right after we added Season 2 of Deeply to our catalog, we licensed it to Bulgaria. That early interest tells us the show is connecting beyond Türkiye. The story and visuals really stand out, and buyers are noticing. We’re hopeful Season 2 will keep finding new audiences around the world.
Another recent addition to your catalog is Crystal. What can you tell us about the series and its international appeal?
Crystal, produced by Medyapım, offers a fresh take on Arabic-language drama with high production values, gripping storytelling, and a visual style that truly sets it apart. It’s emotional and visually striking, everything viewers expect from a premium series. Featuring a strong cast and a layered story about love, ambition, and betrayal, Crystal is a compelling alternative for audiences looking for something different.
You’ll be attending NEM Dubrovnik, a key event for the CEE region. What importance does the region hold for Calinos Entertainment, and what are your expectations for this year’s market?
This is actually our first year at NEM Dubrovnik, and we’re really looking forward to it. It’s become an important meeting point for the CEE region, and it gives us a chance to reconnect with clients we’ve been in touch with, as well as meet participants who focus specifically on this market.
We’ll also be presenting a broader mix of content this year, including both Turkish dramas and international titles. And we’re happy to be hosting the Welcome Party, where we’ll highlight Ana: You Are in My DNA together with the cast. It’s a great moment to bring people together around a title that we truly believe in.
This exclusive interview with Aslı Serim was featured in Episode Magazine’s NEM Dubrovnik & NATPE Budapest 2025 issue.
