* Metaserra to engage in film production, advertising and offer services to digital platforms; plans to set up a state-of-the-art production facility in Doha, says AFH board member Sheikh Khaled bin Faisal al-Thani
 
 
Qatar’s Al Faisal Holding has announced the establishment of new subsidiary Metaserra, a joint venture with Turkey's Doludizgin, which will engage in film production and advertising and offer services to digital platforms.
The JV agreement was signed at a media event in Doha on Sunday, attended by Al Faisal Holding Chairman HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani and officials from the Turkish Embassy in Doha.
Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of the event, Sheikh Khaled bin Faisal al-Thani, Al Faisal Holding board member said the joint venture is planning to have a state-of-the-art production facility in Doha.
“We are also working closely with our team in Turkey; hopefully we will become one of the major global players in the field over the next five years.”
“In order to stay relevant you have to be strong in the booming media segment. Media right now is a booming market; it is something we want to get into (as Al Faisal Holding).
Sheikh Khaled said, “Metaserra would take up movie shooting to TV shows in multiple languages all the way to social media; we will be in a broad variety of the media market. Anything regarding the media, we can take care of. ”
Asked how Metaserra would tap into the talent pool, Sheikh Khaled said, “Here we have the Qatar Foundation and other prominent universities. We have young individuals graduating from these universities. We are looking to bring them into our team. We are looking to expand from the Qatar market into the global stage.”
Metaserra will offer production services to cinema, television, and digital platforms, as well as for films, series, commercials, and documentaries.
These services will cover several areas including screenplay and scriptwriting, set design, visual and special effects, production design, and music and soundtracks. Metaserra will also organise exhibitions, conferences, workshops, academic courses, festivals, and competitions related to cinematography and the general production and distribution of film and TV.
In addition, further expertise will be offered on the commercial aspects of the industry, including the development and leasing of studios as well as the buying, selling and renting of equipment central to the production processes.
Earlier addressing the press conference, Sheikh Khaled said, “I am pleased to announce our partnership with Doludizgin, which will result in the addition of a new and innovative business to the diverse range of services we offer at Al Faisal Holding.
“This partnership will allow us to enter new sector adopting the latest innovative technologies used in the media industry, an area of growing importance. We are pleased to be one of the contributors to the development of this industry locally through and the establishment of Metaserra is in line with this strategy.”
Koray Demir, film director, and CEO of Doludizgin added, “It is a great honour for us that Al Faisal Holding is our launch pad to the Qatari market, as one of the most solid pillars in this country, and we look at our strategic partnership with it as a valuable opportunity that allows us to put our expertise and capabilities to forge together a new success story. Today Metaserra is here to open the doors of a new world toward a new digital revolution.
“A new era has begun for solution partners who can look beyond the type of stereotypical media production we are accustomed to. We have always wanted to be part of Qatar’s market and Mena's promising future. The rising Qatari market is a shining star in the Middle East, and we will do our best to make this star shine on new horizons. We will make our ambition a solid sail that contributes to achieving the desired aspirations of a boat we filled with goals and promising projects.”