So, being from the region, I felt that the insights I have of the Middle Eastern culture allow me to create content that is nuanced and culturally sensitive. We have had some very experienced foreign directors come and work on projects here, but I find that many deliver films that have high production value, but grade low on editorial. Secondly, being in an executive role enabled me to see local content in a very holistic manner, and I felt that content coming out of the region was not layered, but, rather two-dimensional. Setting up my own company allowed me the freedom to choose how I wanted to be involved in a project. "After working in an executive role for several years, I started to miss the energy and thrill of being in the midst of all the action, and I wanted to return to that. "The sentiment behind starting Spotlife Films was two-pronged," Arzouni explains. In 2015, he co-founded ACT3 Productions, and in 2017, he went on to self-fund the establishment of Spotlife Film Productions with an aim to shake up the way people approach creating films. Related: Six Tips For Expanding A Homegrown Business
Shaking off this label and proving your versatility to new clients can be quite a difficult task." The industry assumes that you only do a certain type of films, and that you have a limited imagination when exploring new areas of content. If you have worked in a network for long enough, then the channel's style is misconstrued as your personal style. "I was exposed to the crème de la crème of clients and topics. "At an international network, everything revolved around big budgets, grand scales, and so on, and it was very much a network angle into the industry," he explains. However, at that time, he was ready to take another plunge. Eventually, he climbed up the ladder to the position of Head of Channel and Productions for the Middle East at the company.
The ensuing years have seen him travelling between Seoul, Washington, Hong Kong, and London, and producing over 25 films, some of which were aired in over 185 countries.
Having worked with different news and general entertainment networks, producing a variety of current affairs pieces and social awareness segments, Arzouni moved from his native Lebanon to the UAE in 2008 to take up a post at the National Geographic Channel. Interesting characters who are candid about their stories, allow us the opportunity to create compelling content that can engage audiences, which is the ultimate goal of all filmmakers." Spotlight Productions As humans, we connect with other humans, based on emotions and common experiences. Apart from understanding the potential of strong storytelling, I have also learnt how important dynamic characters are for telling a good story. "To be able to tell powerful stories is empowering, and with this empowerment comes a responsibility and consciousness to tell balanced stories that are objective, and that have a purpose. "I chose filmmaking as a career, because I believe in the power of film as a medium to influence and impact social behavior," he says. Samer Arzouni, founder and Managing Director, Spotlife Film Productions, has shaped his entrepreneurial journey around the belief that poignant storytelling has the power to change perceptions.