“The value of a European work should not be limited by how far it travels today. We want to give those works a longer life and a wider audience, opening doors to filmmakers and cultures that viewers might otherwise never encounter,” said Cédric Monnier, CEO and co-founder of OKAST.
At the heart of the platform is OKAST’s Deep Culture approach, which uses culture as a way to explore programmes beyond traditional categories such as arts or heritage. The service connects films and programmes with the people, places and ideas behind them. Editorial selection plays a central role in creating these connections. “We choose works that have something to say and somehow trigger different points of view. That is an editorial decision. Technology helps us reveal the connections and gives viewers more ways to explore,” said Francesco Denti, Chief Content Officer, Europa Specials.
The platform also features dedicated spaces known as Corners, allowing partners to maintain their own identity while curating selections for audiences. Europa Specials aims to serve as a gateway to a broader network of cultural platforms and destinations, connecting viewers with different catalogues and communities.
Its network of producers, distributors and publishers includes Euronews, France Médias Monde, WeShort, C Major Entertainment, Love TV Channels, TV Poland, Insight TV, A Contracorriente Films, 601 Producciones Audiovisuales, Trinity Content Partners, Cortex, Omero su Marte, Bolinas Films, CGTN, Mondo Novo, Memocar, Dancetrippin TV, La Pointe de l'Epee, TV, Esmo Pictures, Euro Obscura, Saint Thomas Productions, Monster! Entertainment, Fast Channels Network, Persidera Media, Mainstream Media and Wedo TV, among others.
Discovery across genres is supported by Curiosa, OKAST’s AI technology for content analysis and discovery. The technology identifies themes, people, places and concepts within programmes, as well as the relationships between them. This allows viewers to explore cultural connections beyond recommendations based primarily on genre or viewing history.
Europa Specials also extends its discovery model beyond the screen through a shoppable approach connecting selected programmes with culturally relevant products, services and experiences, including books, music, exhibitions and travel. Partners can extend their content through their own offers within Corners. Alongside advertising, the model is designed to create additional revenue streams for content owners and partners while supporting the wider circulation of European works.
