Shahid Enters Partnership for Arabic-Language Animations

The Shahid streaming platform has entered into a partnership with the animation and visual effects studio Barajoun Entertainment to produce original Arabic-language animated projects.

Through this partnership, Barajoun Entertainment will produce five original Arabic-language animations, to be streamed exclusively under the Shahid Originals category on Shahid VIP over the next three years.

The first production, based on a science-fiction novel, is expected to launch on Shahid VIP in July. It will feature the voice of a well-known Arab actor, to be unveiled closer to launch.

Tareq Al-Ibrahim, director of MBC1, MBC DRAMA and Shahid VIP Content, commented: “We are extremely excited to be partnering with Barajoun Entertainment, the region’s pioneers in the animation industry. One of our missions has always been to tell the diverse and varied stories of the region to the rest of the world, conveying our great heritage, civilizations, cultures and lifestyles to viewers everywhere.

“It is important for us to tell stories that reflect the reality of the region, carry its values, reflect its history and even foresee its future. We are confident that our partnership with Barajoun Entertainment, headed up by Ayman Jamal, will contribute toward strengthening the animation industry in the GCC and the entire MENA region, elevating the industry to the global standard.”

Ayman Jamal, founder and producer of Barajoun Entertainment, added: “This is an important move that encourages the development of the overall animation industry in the region. At Barajoun, we support the process and production of content that is unique and purposeful, created to the highest technical and technological standards.

“With Shahid being the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform, I am looking forward to seeing this collaboration contribute toward the development of more Saudi and Arab talent working in the fields of writing, graphic design, modeling and animation, as well as performance and voice acting—all specialties of this vital industry that attract viewers from across the world. I believe that we truly have the potential to be on par with the biggest international animation studios, production companies and content makers.

Jamal concluded: “As we work toward creating the first five confirmed productions, we will also be operating on the sidelines, collaborating with various departments at MBC Group to develop related products such as games or merchandise.”