Can Okan, Founder and CEO of Inter Medya, and Beatriz Cea Okan, VP and Head of Sales and Acquisitions, join us to reflect on a successful 2024, with standout titles like Valley of Hearts, Love and Pride, and Deception achieving significant international success, particularly in Latin America. The region, described as a “second home” for Turkish content, continues to demonstrate strong demand for their series, mini-series, and films, supported by long-standing partnerships. With exciting new titles like Heartstrings, Inter Medya remains committed to strengthening its presence in Latin America and beyond in 2025.
Let’s start by reflecting on 2024. How was the year for Inter Medya? You participated in many fairs and added new content to your rich catalog. Which of Inter Medya’s titles garnered the most attention in 2024?
Can Okan: 2024 has truly been an exceptional year for us. It was a year full of success and joy as we took part in numerous markets, expanded our catalog with new titles, and licensed many of our productions to various regions across the globe. At the beginning of the year, we announced our co-production agreement with MGE, along with the launch of the first project under this partnership. This marked a wonderful start to the year, with positive feedback and great momentum. Additionally, this year, we made history by licensing the remake rights of a Turkish TV series to South Korea, a groundbreaking achievement for us. We were thrilled to be the first to do something that no one else had, turning the typical approach on its head in this field. In October, at MIPCOM, we hosted the international launch of one of the season’s most successful projects, Valley of Hearts, produced by TIMS&B Productions. The launch was a great success. Our team also celebrated a significant milestone when a film entirely created using AI, developed by the brilliant young creative minds in our team, won an award at Türkiye’s first AI Film Festival. Additionally, several of our TV series earned international recognition, winning prestigious awards. We also received extremely positive feedback from the markets we participated in for the first time. All in all, it was a year of intense activity, success, and celebration. As for our content, Valley of Hearts saw an incredible demand from the moment it aired, and we finalized multiple sales agreements with our clients. Moreover, other successful series like Deception, Love and Pride, The Trusted, Last Summer, Tuzak and others continued their international journeys, being licensed to new countries.
We are now at Content Americas, and you’re about to launch the series Heartstrings, a co-production you’ve worked on. Can you tell us a bit more about it? What’s the story about, and what can you share about the cast and crew?
Can Okan: We are thrilled to start the year with the excitement of announcing a new co-production. Heartstrings is a remarkable Turkish drama series co-produced by Inter Medya. The story follows Mahinur Aydın, a devoted mother, who is confronted with an unimaginable truth: Bade, the beloved daughter she has raised for years, is not her biological child. Meanwhile, her own biological daughter, Derin, has been raised by her wealthy boss, Aras Yılmazer. As the two families come together due to Bade’s illness, Mahinur and Aras are forced to act as a family. Along the way, they embark on a journey of healing and forge an unexpected and profound bond of love. The series boasts a talented and dynamic cast of young actors. Its director, Canan Celik, is highly dedicated and accomplished, contributing significantly to the project’s success. The attention to detail and the care put into this production are truly exceptional, making it a stellar example of Turkish drama. The production of Heartstrings is still in full swing, with an ongoing, vibrant, and enjoyable shooting process. We are excited to share this outstanding project with everyone soon.
What are your goals and expectations for Heartstrings’ international journey?
Can Okan: Heartstrings is a drama-rich series that brings all the elements of a classic Turkish TV drama to life. At its core is a story of love, intertwined with a strong rich-versus-poor conflict, the powerful dynamics of family, and the grandeur of a luxurious mansion that almost feels like a character in its own right. It’s a narrative that encompasses everything expected from a traditional Turkish drama. As a co-production, the script has been meticulously crafted with the preferences of international audiences in mind, aligning with what they anticipate from Turkish dramas. This approach significantly enhances Heartstrings’ appeal on the global stage. We firmly believe that Heartstrings will embark on a highly successful international journey, captivating viewers around the world.
Latin America is a crucial region for Turkish content, and Inter Medya has established some of the strongest and most long-standing relationships in the market. What does Latin America represent for Turkish series? How do you explain the immense popularity and viewership of our series in the region?
Beatriz Cea Okan: Yes, as you mentioned, Latin America has long been considered a second home for Turkish content. Turkish productions are consistently watched here, and nearly all that are released achieve great success. There is a massive fan base in the region, and when it comes to acquisitions, they always gravitate towards Turkish content. The trend of Turkish content in this market has been going strong for a long time, and we don’t foresee it declining anytime soon. At Inter Medya, we dedicate significant effort to meet this high demand, investing in marketing and maintaining an active presence in the region. We have longstanding partnerships here that have evolved into genuine friendships over the years. It’s truly remarkable how culturally close two regions so far apart geographically can feel. We remain committed to working tirelessly to further strengthen our influence here and will continue to focus on deepening our ties with the Latin American market.
We know there’s significant interest in Turkish TV series across Latin America, but what about mini-series and films? Since Inter Medya also represents these formats, how do you perceive the region’s interest in this type of content?
Beatriz Cea Okan: Of course! Our mini-series, in particular, have caught the attention of local digital platforms in Latin America. Additionally, our films are being broadcast in numerous regions across the continent. Most recently, we signed a package deal in Panama for 14 films. Beyond this, we continue to sell a variety of films to different countries within Latin America. Latin America shows great interest in Turkish content across all genres!
Beatriz Cea Okan: Our content is thriving in Latin America, with great demand across the board! This season’s standout hit, Valley of Hearts, has become a top favorite among our Latin American clients, generating immense excitement.
In recent years, which of your titles have gained the most attention in the region? Based on your analysis of these titles, what insights can you share about the region and its audience preferences?
Beatriz Cea Okan: Our content is thriving in Latin America, with great demand across the board! This season’s standout hit, Valley of Hearts, has become a top favorite among our Latin American clients, generating immense excitement. But that’s not all. Series like Love and Pride, Deception, The Trusted, Last Summer, Tuzak, Leylifer, Poison Ivy, and Scorpion have captivated audiences and are among the most talked-about shows this year. Adding to the momentum, our mini-series are rapidly gaining traction in the region. Titles like The Ivy, Like There is No Tomorrow, and Dreams and Realities have recently skyrocketed in popularity, cementing their place as audience favorites. Latin America’s love for Turkish content is growing stronger every day, and we couldn’t be more excited about the journey ahead!
In our first issue of 2025, I would also like to ask about Inter Medya’s goals and expectations for the new year. What’s your vision for 2025?
Can Okan: We are very excited about 2025! We plan to expand our content catalog with new and engaging titles. At the same time, we aim to further strengthen our expertise in co-productions, building on successful partnerships and creating impactful collaborations. Additionally, we have a busy market schedule ahead of us this year, and we are ready to take on the opportunities it brings.
Beatriz Cea Okan: We’ve entered 2025 with immense excitement, carrying the positive energy we gathered from a highly successful 2024. We kicked off the year by announcing our newest co-production project, setting the tone for an incredible journey ahead. This year, one of our top priorities is to enrich our catalog with even more new content and co-productions. Additionally, we’re planning to attend markets we’ve never participated in before and introduce our Turkish content to countries that have yet to experience it. We’re thrilled about the opportunities ahead and can’t wait to share our stories with even more audiences around the globe!
