Untamed Talent, the recently launched Arab world management and production company led by former Mister Smith Entertainment executive Antone Saliba is rebranding as 75East and bringing on board Shams Mohajerani, a former acquisitions executive at Cairo-based MAD Solutions, as its chief manager and producer.
The change in name to 75East of the company, which launched last December with backing from Front Row Productions – a joint venture between leading Middle East distribution companies Front Row Filmed Entertainment and Empire Entertainment – is a geographical reference to the wider Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) region from Morocco to Pakistan, “reflecting the company’s commitment to representing talent beyond Arabic-speaking territories,” according to a statement.
The addition of Mohajerani, an Iranian-American raised in Boston, will expand the company’s reach outside the Arab world and commit to its focus on neighboring territories “including the Persian-speaking world, as well as filmmakers with ties to the region who work and reside across Europe and the U.S.,” the statement said.
“Shams is one of the brightest minds in the business, who also speaks multiple regional languages fluently,” said Saliba, who is the chief 75East exec. “He’s built a reputation for being close to the very best filmmakers and has a great eye for up-and-comers and IP,” he added.
Untamed Talent in December unveiled its initial client roster of writers and directors, which includes Palme d’Or-nominee Abu Bakr Shawky (“Yomeddine,” “Hajjan”); Oscar-nominee and BAFTA-winner Bassel Ghandour (“Theeb,” “The Alleys”); Amjad Al Rasheed (“Inshallah A Boy”); and Firas Khoury (“Alam,” “Maradona’s Legs”)limited series.
Additional clients from the wider region will be announced in the coming months.
Source Agencies
