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Netflix International Showcase Celebrates the Power of Local Stories with a Global Impact

Netflix International Showcase Celebrates the Power of Local Stories with a Global Impact
“Great stories can come from anywhere.”
This compelling message from Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria set the tone for Netflix's inaugural International Showcase in Los Angeles on November 18. The event highlighted the streaming giant's ambitious vision for creating and celebrating local-language stories with universal appeal.

The showcase brought together some of Netflix’s leading global executives, including Minyoung Kim (VP of Content, APAC), Paco Ramos (VP of Content, LATAM), Monika Shergill (VP of Content, India), and Larry Tanz (VP of Content, EMEA). Collectively, they underscored Netflix's commitment to partnering with over 1,000 producers from more than 50 countries, championing authentic storytelling that resonates deeply with local audiences while captivating viewers worldwide.

The list of shows is very long, here some titles. Among the highlights were:

One Hundred Years of Solitude (Colombia)
The Leopard (Italy)
Last Samurai Standing (Japan)
El Refugio Atómico (Spain)
Alice in Borderland S3 (Japan)
Revelations (Korea)
Un fantasma en la Batalla (Spain)

These stories are not only deeply rooted in their respective cultures but also reflect Netflix’s belief in the power of local authenticity. For instance, Diego Avalos, VP of Content for Spain, noted that producing content across Spain’s diverse regions mirrors the idea of creating stories across all 50 states in the U.S. Similarly, Tinny Andreatta, VP of Content for Italy, shared her enthusiasm for The Leopard, describing it as “an iconic moment in Italian history brought to life with bold ambition.”

A standout revelation from the showcase was the growing global appetite for non-English content. Over 70% of Netflix viewing involves subtitles or dubbing, with Korean, Spanish, and Japanese titles among the most popular. Minyoung Kim highlighted the popularity of Korean content, noting that “over 80% of Netflix members around the world watch K-content.”

Bajaria emphasized how this trend benefits creators, as their stories now reach audiences they could never have imagined. In the U.S., where local American stories traditionally dominated, 13% of hours viewed last year were non-English titles, showcasing the rising acceptance of global storytelling.

Netflix also unveiled several  new projects, including:

Untitled Bollywood Project (India)
Love is Blind: France (France)
Physical 100: Asia (Korea)
Bullet Train Explosion (Japan)
Additionally, a slate of fresh titles was announced, such as Alcaraz (Spain), Celda 211 (Mexico), and When Life Gives You Tangerines (Korea). Returning fan favorites include Squid Game S2, Alice in Borderland S3, and Delhi Crime S3.

At the heart of Netflix’s international strategy is a commitment to authenticity. Bajaria explained, “There’s no such thing as making a global show. When you try to make something that appeals to everyone, you end up making something that appeals to no one.” Instead, Netflix prioritizes local storytelling with the goal of making shows and films resonate in their home countries first, then letting global audiences discover them.

Closing the event, Bajaria emphasized Netflix’s dedication to fostering partnerships with local talent and its belief in the universal power of great storytelling. “Hopefully, you can see the scope and ambition of what we’re doing around the world, and why we think these titles will be the next fan favorites.”

Netflix’s first International Showcase was a celebration of its remarkable journey in global storytelling — a testament to the fact that when stories transcend borders, they create lasting connections and universal impact.

photo: (From L to R) Monika Shergill (Netflix Vice President of Content, India), Paco Ramos (Netflix Vice President of Content, LATAM), Minyoung Kim (Netflix Vice President of Content, APAC), Larry Tanz (Netflix Vice President of Content, EMEA), and Bela Bajaria (Netflix Chief Content Officer) at the Netflix International Showcase in Los Angeles on November 18.
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