Calinos to Celebrate 25th Anniversary in Cannes

Established in 1999, Calinos Entertainment this year marks its 25th anniversary. Over the last two and a half decades, the company has helped further the spread of Turkish content all over the globe. It was the first company to market Turkish TV series abroad, and the broadcast hours of Turkish TV series that Calinos Entertainment owns the international rights to have reached thousands of hours in total.

“The demand for Turkish dramas today is as strong as ever, if not stronger,” says Fırat Gülgen, CEO and founder of Calinos. “Their appeal lies in the general themes of love, betrayal, family, struggle and resilience, all told with an emotional appeal that transcends cultural boundaries. Growing VOD investment in Turkish content has made them widely accessible to global audiences beyond the reach provided by traditional broadcasting in Western markets, and it’s been a game changer for producers here. The industry is continuously evolving to meet the needs of global audiences, and we believe the demand will continue to grow in the coming years.”

At MIPCOM, Calinos will celebrate its 25th year with the premiere of its latest series: Hidden Garden. The drama centers on Nazlı, a young, single mother living with her son, Memo. When Demir Akçınar, Memo’s wealthy uncle, discovers that his late brother had a child, he steps in to take care of Memo. Upon learning about Nazlı’s profession, Demir refuses to let Memo stay with her and wages a custody battle. However, Nazli is not who Demir thinks she is—she has a big secret. As they fight for Memo’s future, the Akçınar family’s schemes, long-hidden secrets and shadows of the past will complicate their growing but seemingly impossible love.

The celebration of Hidden Garden will take place on the Monday of MIPCOM in Cannes, with the cast of the drama in attendance.

“Turkish storytelling has evolved significantly over the years, expanding beyond traditional family dramas and romance to embrace a variety of genres,” says Gülgen. “While emotional and relationship-driven narratives remain central, there has been a notable rise in genres such as crime thrillers, historical epics and action-driven series, reflecting a growing appetite for more complex and diverse storytelling. Recently, elements of sci-fi and fantasy have also begun to emerge, showcasing a willingness to explore new creative frontiers. This shift highlights the industry’s adaptability and the ambition to cater to both domestic and global audiences with fresh, innovative content that stays competitive with international trends.”

Gülgen adds that a key advantage of Turkish dramas on the global market is the high production quality. “Secondly, our content has universal appeal with stories that resonate with audiences from everywhere—from LatAm to Europe, MENA and beyond,” he says.

“The intense competition within Turkey’s media industry actually strengthens our international sales efforts,” says Gülgen. “With numerous high-quality productions vying for viewership domestically, the market naturally filters out only the most compelling and well-received shows. This helps broadcasters and platforms abroad feel more confident in acquiring content that has already proven its appeal in a highly competitive environment. Strong domestic performance acts as a quality benchmark, demonstrating audience engagement and content viability. Additionally, Turkish productions often come with a built-in fan base due to their global reach, making them even more attractive to international buyers who value content with established success and audience recognition.”

With 25 years of success already established, Calinos Entertainment is looking forward to celebrating the future of Turkish dramas on the global stage.