DICM 2026 Spotlight Stories brings emerging Arabic-language creators together with industry decision-makers, with the winning script receiving a development opportunity through AFLAM Production.
As the regional and international content industry prepares to gather in Dubai for the Dubai International Content Market (DICM) on 10-11 November, the event is bringing emerging MENA storytellers into the heart of the industry with the return of Spotlight Stories, a pitching challenge designed to discover original Arabic-language content and connect new creative voices with experienced industry professionals.
Taking place at Madinat Jumeirah, DICM 2026 will bring together producers, distributors, buyers, platforms, creators and content executives from across the region and international markets. Within this wider industry gathering, Spotlight Stories will allow selected creators to present their projects directly to professionals who can help develop them further.
The initiative will go beyond pitching and exposure, with the winning script receiving an opportunity to move towards professional development and production through a collaboration with AFLAM Production. The opportunity will be supported by Malek Jaber, Head of Content at AFLAM Production.
Creating a Path from Pitch to Production
Designed specifically for MENA storytellers and Arabic-language scripted content, DICM 2026 Spotlight Stories aims to place emerging creative voices within the wider conversations shaping the region’s content industry.
Following the submission and selection process, shortlisted storytellers will pitch their projects live at DICM 2026 on 11 November at 10:00 AM, in front of an expert jury and an audience of industry professionals.
The selection process will be managed by Writables, with Sinan Mawad, Founder & CEO of Writables, joining the jury alongside Mishel Zreik, Television Executive and Content Specialist, and Madonna Khafaja, Founder of Whitebee Media.
Rather than focusing solely on visibility, the initiative is designed to provide creators with a tangible next step, connecting promising ideas with the industry expertise and professional networks needed to develop them into market-ready projects.
Bringing New Voices into the Market
With new platforms, audiences and business models continuing to shape the MENA content landscape, demand for distinctive regional stories is creating new opportunities for emerging creators.
Through Spotlight Stories, DICM 2026 aims to identify projects with strong creative potential while giving their creators access to industry conversations, feedback and professional connections.
Tariq Al Madani, CEO of INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions, said the initiative reflects the changing dynamics of the content business and the importance of connecting creative talent with the wider industry.
“The content industry is changing rapidly. Audiences are becoming more diverse, platforms are competing for distinctive stories, and there is growing interest in content that reflects the voices and perspectives of our region,” said Al Madani. “At the same time, great ideas need more than creativity to move forward; they need access to producers, buyers, distributors and the right industry partners.”
He added that DICM 2026 provides a space where these connections can take place, allowing stories to be discovered and new partnerships to emerge.
“Spotlight Stories takes this even further by giving emerging MENA creators the chance to put their work directly in front of the people who can help turn a strong idea into something audiences can actually watch,” Al Madani continued.
For Malek Jaber, Head of Content at AFLAM Production, the initiative also provides an opportunity to discover new talent at an early stage and support the development of distinctive stories.
“We are delighted to be part of DICM 2026 and to support the Spotlight Stories pitching challenge, which creates a valuable platform for emerging MENA storytellers to bring their ideas into the spotlight,” said Jaber. “At AFLAM Production, we are always looking for distinctive voices and stories that have the potential to connect with audiences both regionally and internationally.”
“We look forward to discovering new talent through this initiative and to allowing the winning script to take an important step towards production,” he added.
DICM 2026 Submissions Are Now Open
Creators and writers from the MENA region with Arabic-language scripted projects can now submit their work for consideration. Submissions should be sent to [email protected], with further details on the submission requirements and selection process available through DICM.
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