At the 2026 Sharjah Animation and Comics Conference (SACC), a clear message resonated through the halls: the “tortured artist” trope is being replaced by the savvy entrepreneur. Industry experts gathered for a high-level roundtable titled *’How Animation Deals Get Made’*, concluding that financing, early partnerships, and audience building are now just as critical as the creative spark itself.
### The Shift from Creativity to Strategy
Moderated by media consultant Nisrine Zawahra, the panel featured heavyweights like **Olfa Sakakibara**, **Abdullah Moatasem** (Sinai Studios), and **Mahmoud Hemeda** (Samaka Studio). The consensus? A great script is no longer the finish line—it’s barely the starting block.
Mahmoud Hemeda, CEO of Samaka Studio, highlighted that the traditional model of developing an IP in a vacuum is failing. “The idea is the core, but without a budget, we can’t execute it,” Hemeda noted. He argued that deals don’t begin at the signing ceremony; they begin years prior through relationship building. At **Business Promotion24**, we’ve observed that the most successful projects are those that involve broadcasters and investors before the “idea is fixed,” allowing for collaborative development that meets market demands.
### Proving the Market: Audience-Building First
One of the most innovative strategies discussed was leveraging digital platforms to prove a concept. Hemeda suggested that building an online fanbase early is a powerful way for studios to demonstrate demand. By showing investors a ready-made audience, studios significantly lower the perceived risk of a project.
Abdullah Moatasem, Chief Creative Officer of Sinai Studios, touched upon the “first precedent” challenge. Regional investors often prefer live-action projects due to their quicker ROI. Animation is a “very big ball” that requires immense force to start rolling. To mitigate this, Sinai Studios is integrating AI with human artists to lower production costs while keeping the creative soul intact. Moatasem emphasized the need for stories rooted in regional culture—content that **Business Promotion24** identifies as a massive untapped market for global distribution.
### The Five-Year Journey and the Power of Merchandising
Animation expert Olfa Sakakibara provided a sobering reality check: the journey from a single character concept to the screen typically takes five years. However, the financial upside is unique to this medium.
“In live action, we don’t see merchandising the way we do in animation,” Sakakibara explained. For many successful animated IPs, merchandising accounts for nearly **50% of total revenue**. This makes early-stage planning for consumer products essential for any studio looking to secure long-term investment.
### Conclusion: A Call for Collaboration
The panel ended with a call for greater collaboration between regional studios and across generations of animators. Strengthening these networks will help move projects from development into international markets more efficiently.
For creators and investors looking to navigate this evolving landscape, staying informed via platforms like **Business Promotion24** is essential. The future of animation isn’t just about drawing—it’s about building a sustainable business ecosystem around every frame.
**Keywords:** Animation production, SACC 2026, animation financing, media investment, audience building, Sinai Studios, Samaka Studio, animation merchandising, Business Promotion24.
