A new international content market is being planned in Istanbul, following an announcement at the Dubai International Content Market (DICM) 2026. The initiative, developed in collaboration with Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, aims to create a new platform for the international audiovisual industry and strengthen cooperation between Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates.
The announcement was made on 11 November during a special conference at DICM, held at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai on 10–11 November 2026. Eng. Anas Abdulsalam Almadani and Birol Güven, Director General of Cinema at Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, presented the plans for the Istanbul Content Market, which is currently in its early planning stage.
ICM – Istanbul Content Market will create a new international meeting point for the television, film and digital content industries, strengthening Türkiye’s position in the global content market. The event is being developed in collaboration between INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions and the Television and Cinema Film Producers Association of Türkiye (TESİYAP), alongside Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Istanbul Content Market to Become an Annual Industry Event
Speaking at the announcement, Almadani confirmed that preparations are already underway in cooperation with Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. He described the initiative as a natural extension of the growing relationship between Türkiye and the UAE, highlighting Türkiye’s creative strength, cultural heritage and expanding influence in the global content business.
Almadani also expressed confidence in the project’s potential, stating that the Istanbul Content Market is envisioned as an annual event. Further details about its organisation and format are expected to be announced in the coming period.
Birol Güven Highlights Istanbul’s Role in Turkish Screen Industries
Birol Güven underlined Istanbul’s significance for Türkiye’s cinema and television industries, pointing to the country’s long cinematic heritage and the development of its television production sector over the past two decades.
Describing Istanbul as a defining presence in Turkish storytelling, Güven emphasised the city’s central role in both cinema and television.
The planned Istanbul Content Market represents a new step in audiovisual cooperation between Türkiye and the UAE. While the event’s dates, venue and programme have yet to be announced, the initiative signals an ambition to create a recurring international meeting point for the content industry in Istanbul.
