Calinos Entertainment had a leading role during NEM Dubrovnik 2025, hosting a special event for Ana: You Are in My DNA, one of its premium Romanian dramas, which leads a catalogue that also includes Turkish standouts like Farah and Deeply, alongside Canadian, Serbian and Arabic series.
In the search of the new big drama “boom”, Calinos Entertainment has set it sights on Romanian series, with three new additions to its catalogue set to be the highlights during NEM Dubrovnik 2025.
At the top of that list sits Ana: You Are in My DNA. Starring Karina Jianu and Vlad Udrescu, the drama follows the story of an ambitious and determined young woman who investigates her own past as an orphan only to find out troubling answers and new questions, which put them in a path of revenge, justice and even love.
“Its heartfelt story and richly drawn characters explore themes of identity, belonging, and love in a way that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable,” shares Aslı Serim, Head of Sales at Calinos Entertainment.
On Monday, June 9th, Calinos hosted a “Welcome Reception” at the rooftop terrace of the Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, where they showcased the series, with the presence of its stars
Calinos’ CEO, Firat Gülgen, has shared his belief that Romanian titles will be the next big hit in the international market. What are the main Romanian titles you’ve shown to potential buyers during NEM?
At this year’s NEM, we presented a powerful lineup of Romanian dramas that we believe capture the heart and depth of the region’s storytelling: Ana: You Are in My DNA, Love with Lavender Scent, and Adela. We truly believe Romanian content is ready for a major breakthrough in the global market, and these titles reflect the richness, depth, and creative ambition coming out of the region today.
How was the special event you hosted for Ana: You Are in My DNA?
This is a particularly special project for us. To celebrate Ana: You Are in My DNA, we hosted an exclusive evening in its honor, with the main cast in attendance. It was more than just a party, it was a chance for our partners and guests to experience the soul of the series firsthand and connect with the people who brought it to life.
You have also added titles from other territories to your catalogue. How do you see these titles travelling across Europe?
We don’t limit our catalogue to Turkish content. We’re always looking for strong, high-quality productions that we believe will connect with audiences globally. Alongside Turkish titles, we’ve added Canadian, Romanian, Serbian, and most recently, Arabic series to our lineup. A title like Alert Squad, which was recently sold to Japan, proves that good storytelling travels well and we see strong potential for these titles across Europe too.
What can you share about Deeply and its potential in the international market?
Deeply is a beautifully crafted Turkish drama that tells a very personal and emotional love story, carried by two strong lead performances. Originally aired on BluTV, it stands out with its modern storytelling and authenticity. We’ve just licensed it to Bulgaria and we believe its universal themes like love, heartbreak, and personal growth will resonate with international audiences. It has strong potential in markets that value intimate, character-driven stories with a contemporary feel.
What other titles are you highlighting during the event? Are you also showcasing any upcoming titles?
Farah is definitely a must-have for us. It has already reached over 85 countries and remains a key highlight during the event. In addition to that, we’re showcasing our Romanian dramas, which have been performing well across various markets. We’re also introducing a new selection of premium Arabic series for the first time, as part of our expanding catalogue. We’re focused on offering diverse, high-quality content that resonates with audience worldwide.
Some of your standout titles like Forbidden Fruit and Woman keep adding territories, more recently Italy. How do you see your business evolving across Europe in the upcoming years?
Titles like Forbidden Fruit and Woman have demonstrated strong and growing appeal, adding new territories steadily. This success reflects the trust and solid partnerships we’ve built over the years with broadcasters and platforms across Europe. Looking ahead, we see our business evolving by deepening these relationships and leveraging our local market knowledge to introduce a broader range of high-quality content.
How can you taking advantage of long-standing and successful relationships in many countries to further your penetration in other markets?
Our long-standing collaborations enable us to better understand audience preferences and tailor our offerings, which helps us enter new markets more effectively. Europe’s diversity is a great opportunity, and we’re committed to delivering compelling stories that resonate across different cultures and regions.
