Damascus and Rif Dimashq Chamber of Industry Announces the Launch of the Syrian Ramadan Drama Season 2026 and Support for Transforming Television Production into a Comprehensive Industry
In an effort to highlight this year’s exceptional Syrian drama season and mark the strong return of Syrian drama to local and Arab screens, under the slogan “Syrian Drama: The Mirror of the Story – The First Season After Liberation,” the Cinema and Television Industry Committee at the Damascus and Rif Dimashq Chamber of Industry held a press conference to announce the new Ramadan drama season and review its key artistic and production features.
The conference was attended by Mr. Ghassan Al-Kasm, Vice President of the Damascus and Rif Dimashq Chamber of Industry and supervisor of the committee, representatives from the Ministries of Media and Culture, as well as the Chair and members of the Cinema and Television Industry Committee, the National Drama Committee, several producers and directors, and a large number of media representatives.
Mr. Ghassan Al-Kasm emphasized that drama production is not just a temporary artistic activity but a comprehensive industry that impacts various vital sectors, including food and engineering, in addition to creating multiple job opportunities. He pointed out that locally produced dramas contribute to reinforcing the “Made in Syria” slogan, one of the chamber’s key goals, and clarified that the chamber, in coordination with the National Drama Committee and all relevant parties, is working to transform cinema and television production into a sustainable industry capable of facing current challenges, in line with developments in other industrial sectors. Al-Kasm highlighted that the current local and regional conditions present a golden opportunity that should be carefully leveraged. He also stressed the importance of utilizing Syria’s strong relations with Saudi Arabia to advance the development of the cinema and television production sector, praised the distinguished local talents capable of achieving the desired successes, and concluded by affirming the chamber’s readiness to provide full support for this vital sector, noting that its success extends beyond artistic gains to become a significant contributor to Syrian industry and economy as a whole.
In his opening speech, Mr. Ali Anez, Chair of the Committee, highlighted the importance of this artistic event and emphasized the ambition to deliver a drama season worthy of Syria’s rich drama history. He described the current season as exceptional due to the high quality and standard of the productions across all artistic and production levels. He noted that the new Ramadan season is highly diverse, with a notable return of comedic drama, a longstanding pillar of Syrian drama excellence. He also explained that this year’s realistic works will offer a human-centered perspective on the Syrian people’s struggles during long periods of oppression, while also highlighting the current living conditions. In addition, Levantine series will be presented with a renewed spirit, breaking traditional molds and introducing more modern storytelling and directing techniques. He confirmed a qualitative leap in production this year, with a total cost of $25 million USD for all drama works, reflecting the expanding distribution base and growing demand for Syrian content. These works are expected to be broadcast on approximately 50 satellite channels and local and Arab platforms during Ramadan. Mr. Ali Anez also praised the tremendous efforts made by the Cinema and Television Industry Committee in cooperation with relevant authorities to overcome obstacles facing Syrian producers.
He further stressed the importance of providing an environment that fosters creativity and supports achieving the best artistic outcomes, emphasizing the need for collaboration between various ministries, including the Ministry of Economy and Industry, the Ministry of Culture, and the Damascus and Rif Dimashq Chamber of Industry to ensure this success. He also announced preparations to launch the first Damascus Drama Festival after Ramadan, alongside a dedicated festival for the dubbing sector in Syria.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nidal Al-Habal, Vice President of the Cinema and Television Industry Committee and representative of the Ministry of Media, noted during the conference that the committee is still seeking innovative solutions to develop the drama production sector. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the artistic and technical aspects of productions and establishing a mechanism for evaluating works from an artistic perspective. He added that national efforts are being made by the General Organization of Radio and Television to purchase drama works, serving as an effective link between the organization and production companies, aiming to regulate the purchasing process and improve future productions.
During the conference, reporters from Arab and local media raised questions about the new drama season. Committee members responded by highlighting the facilities provided to enable outdoor filming, as well as the challenges faced during the production of over 20 drama works this season, marking a more professional and expansive stage of production.