With more than 26 years in the international content distribution business, Calinos Entertainment continues to play a key role in bringing Turkish dramas to global audiences while expanding its portfolio with international productions. In this interview, Onur Sözener, Head of Sales, reflects on the company’s performance in 2025 so far, discusses the new Turkish and international titles set to be introduced at MIPCOM, and shares insights on mini-series and the evolving dynamics of Calinos’ global catalog.
Before we get into the new titles you’ll be presenting at MIPCOM, could you give us a quick recap of how the first nine months of 2025 have been for Calinos?
The first nine months of 2025 have been a pivotal chapter for Calinos Entertainment, defined by both external challenges and remarkable progress. The global economic deceleration has affected the industry. Nevertheless, we’ve seen strong momentum across our portfolio, with Turkish dramas continuing to perform exceptionally well in established markets, while also gaining traction in new territories. At the same time, our international slate has expanded, allowing us to strengthen relationships with partners beyond Türkiye and to diversify our offering.
Throughout this period, Calinos delivered a number of significant achievements that underscore its strength in global content distribution. Woman has been licensed into Italy and Portugal marking a strategic expansion into Western Europe. Similarly, our long-running success Forbidden Fruit was also acquired in Italy, further solidifying our footprint in this key market. Calinos also concluded its first agreement in Japan with the award-winning Canadian drama Alert Squad, a milestone illustrating the widening international resonance of our diverse catalogue.
Which regions have been strongest for Calinos’ sales this year?
This year, the regions with the highest sales have been the CIS countries, Western Europe, CEE countries and despite the challenging economic conditions in LATAM, it still remains one of the regions where we achieve the highest sales.
At NEM Dubrovnik, you hosted an event with the cast of the Romanian series Ana: You Are in My DNA. Along with Love with Lavender Scent, it’s one of the two Romanian titles in your lineup. How are their global sales journeys going so far?
So far, both Ana: You Are in My DNA and Love with Lavender Scent have been generating interest, particularly from broadcasters in the Baltics, LATAM, CEE. Each region connects with different aspects of the stories whether it’s the emotional depth and family-driven drama or the universal themes of love. This alignment between story and regional audience taste has been encouraging, and we’re confident these titles will continue to travel widely.
We’d also like to hear about the new Turkish titles you’ll be promoting at MIPCOM.
At this year’s MIPCOM, we’re proud to showcase three flagship dramas that embody the emotional intensity and storytelling excellence global audiences crave: Lies After Lies, Chasing the Sun, and For My Children titles, that promise to captivate viewers and deliver unforgettable journeys.
Lies After Lies is a strong drama centered around a woman whose sense of reality is being questioned by everyone around her. It’s adapted from the globally recognized Lie After Lie, but this version brings a fresh emotional intimacy and a distinctly Turkish storytelling tone. It’s a powerful tale of memory, motherhood, and one woman’s relentless fight to be heard in a world that refuses to believe her.
Chasing the Sun tells the story of two wounded people who cross paths when they least expect it. It’s a powerful narrative about love born from pain, and how even in the coldest moments, something beautiful can begin to grow. The series balances deep emotion with visually striking storytelling and explores themes of revenge, healing, and redemption in a very grounded way.
For My Children is the Arabic-language adaptation of the acclaimed Turkish drama Kadın. While this version reflects the cultural texture of the Arabic-speaking world, the emotional core of the story is universal. It’s about a mother fighting against all odds to protect her children. The challenges are raw, the relationships feel real, and the resilience shown is something that resonates far beyond borders.
What makes these titles stand out for international buyers?
What makes these titles truly stand out is how emotionally honest and character-driven they are. There’s a shared DNA across all three: well-developed main characters, high emotional stakes, and themes like identity, resilience, and personal transformation. Beyond their stunning production values, these are narratives that resonate deeply and leave a lasting impression on audiences everywhere.
Buyers today seek content that not only travels effortlessly but also forges a deep emotional connection. Each of these series delivers precisely that accessible, adaptable, and enriched with storytelling that feels authentic and lived-in rather than manufactured. This is what makes them perfectly suited for platforms ranging from linear broadcasters, OTT platforms, or emerging digital channels.
At Calinos, our focus is on being more than just a content supplier. We want to be a strategic partner who helps our clients navigate challenges while also unlocking new opportunities for growth.
In addition to Turkish content, your catalog features productions from countries such as Romania and Canada. Will you be introducing new titles from other countries at MIPCOM?
We have great series from Canada, Romania, Serbia and we added two new Arabic-language adaptations of the acclaimed Turkish dramas in our catalog. First one is In Her Arms is the Arabic-language adaptation of the acclaimed Turkish drama Anne and the other is For My Children which is the Arabic-language adaptation of the acclaimed Turkish drama Kadın. We never hesitate to identify projects that combine excellence with real market potential, as they enable us to broaden our offering and reach audiences in new and meaningful ways. Our mission is to continuously discover new exceptional stories and diverse talent that enhance our Turkish catalogue, with global expansion serving as a cornerstone of our growth journey.
Woman is still attracting interest, and Farah has already been sold to 85 countries. Could we say that stories about women are receiving more attention these days?
Yes, and we believe this is part of a larger global shift. Audiences today are drawn to narratives that feel authentic and relevant to their own lives, and stories with strong female perspectives embody that demand. Titles like Woman and Farah are not only successful because they showcase powerful characters, but because they reflect universal themes of resilience, identity, and transformation. Content led by women’s voices will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of global storytelling.
Your catalog also includes mini-series like Deeply. Has the interest in Turkish mini-series increased compared to previous years, and what are your observations about these titles?
Yes, we observed growing interest in Turkish mini-series in recent years. Broadcasters and platforms are looking for flexible formats that can fit into different scheduling and programming needs, and mini-series offer exactly that. High-quality storytelling in a concise package. Titles like Deeply allow buyers to test new narratives with less risk, while still benefiting from the strong production values and emotional resonance Turkish dramas are known for.
From our perspective, mini-series are also strategic because they open doors to new audiences, including digital platforms that prefer shorter runs but still want powerful, premium content. We expect this trend to continue, as mini-series are increasingly seen as a bridge between traditional long-running dramas and the binge-worthy formats that global viewers are consuming today.
It is often said that global economic and political crises are affecting content sales. As a company that has witnessed key turning points in this field over the past 26 years, what are your projections for the near future?
While economic and political uncertainties naturally affect the industry, they also push us to think more creatively about how we work with our partners. For us, the future is not only about delivering strong content but also about creating value-added business models around it. This includes exploring flexible licensing structures, building partnerships that share both risks and rewards. We believe that those who can combine storytelling excellence with smart, adaptable revenue models will lead the market forward.
At Calinos, our focus is on being more than just a content supplier. We want to be a strategic partner who helps our clients navigate challenges while also unlocking new opportunities for growth.
This exclusive interview with Onur Sözener was featured in Episode Magazine’s MIPCOM 2025 issue.
