The renowned film distribution company, Front Row Filmed Entertainment, has announced the promotion of Nicolas Torloting, Carine Chaiban, and Elie Touma to partners. These three individuals joined the Dubai-based company in early 2019 as part of a significant revamp that aimed to enhance the company’s operations. Torloting currently serves as Front Row’s COO, while Chaiban is responsible for post-theatrical sales, and Touma leads the Acquisitions & Theatrical Distribution department.
Achievements in the MENA Market
Front Row Filmed Entertainment, under the leadership of its founder and CEO Gianluca Chakra, has achieved remarkable success in the fast-paced MENA (Middle East and North Africa) market over the past two decades. The company has established itself as one of the leading film distributors in the region. Notably, it was the first distributor in the MENA region to premiere films day & date during the Covid pandemic. Additionally, Front Row has curated collections on Netflix and other streaming platforms to promote and champion Arabic cinema. The company has also secured a multi-year output deal with local Pay TV/SVOD platform Bein Media Group.
Front Row’s distribution arm handles the release of over 200 films each year. Many of these films are released theatrically through the company’s extensive regional distribution network. This network includes collaboration with Muvi Cinemas in Saudi Arabia and the Kuwait National Cinema Company (Cinescape) in Kuwait. Parallel to its distribution operations, Front Row has expanded into the development and production of Arabic films and TV series. Its first production, the Arabic-language remake of “Perfect Strangers,” premiered as Netflix’s first Arabic Feature Original in 2022. The film gained immense popularity, topping regional charts and reaching the third position worldwide. Currently, Front Row holds a multi-year first-look deal with Netflix and has a diverse slate of features and TV series actively in development.
Exciting Projects in the Works
Front Row Filmed Entertainment is currently in post-production for Matty Brown’s thrilling film, “The Sand Castle.” Starring Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, and the talented Capernaum siblings Zain and Reman Al Rafeea, the atmospheric thriller promises to captivate audiences. CEO Gianluca Chakra expressed his confidence in the company’s future with the addition of the three new partners, stating that “the sky’s the limit.”
Front Row Filmed Entertainment has solidified its position as a dominant force in the MENA film distribution industry. With its innovative approach, strategic partnerships, and commitment to promoting Arabic cinema, the company continues to thrive. This promotion of Nicolas Torloting, Carine Chaiban, and Elie Touma to partners further strengthens Front Row’s leadership team and positions it for continued success in the dynamic and ever-evolving MENA market.