iWorld
GoQuest Media licenses drama package deal to Disney+ Hotstar
Mumbai: GoQuest Media has licensed a drama package deal to Disney+ Hotstar. The video streaming platform has acquired the Indian rights to three thrilling European dramas, Civil Servant and Debt to the Sea produced by Serbian telecommunications and cable TV operator Telekom Srbija & Traitor produced by multi-service provider Elisa Estonia and Estonian public broadcaster ERR.
Produced in conjunction with Film Danas and directed by Miroslav Lekic and Ivan Zivkovic, Civil Servant is a gripping spy thriller series that follows a young, ambitious Serbian Secret Service (BIA) agent, Lazar Stanojević (played by Milan Marić, winner of the Shooting Stars Award at Berlinale and the Chopard Talent Award at the Moscow Film Festival) as he negotiates the rules of the international spy game in the modern world. He quickly learns that all is not what it seems, and he is left fighting the distrust that he has for everything he thought to be true. Despite this, his sense of duty still makes him make dangerous decisions to try to protect his nation, his family and himself.
Dark secrets, ancient myths and an unrelenting sea determine the life of the characters in Debt to the Sea produced in association with Monte Royal Pictures International and directed by Goran Gajic. The arrival of a mysterious stranger triggers an unstoppable wave of events for the unnerved inhabitants of a beautiful but deadly Montenegro coastal village. Fractured families, old friends and young lovers are forced to find answers in their tragic pasts and uncertain futures.
Disney+ Hotstar has also acquired the spy thriller Traitor directed by Ergo Kuld. Inspired by recent spy scandals in Estonia, Traitor is a captivating thriller which begins in 2004, just before Estonia joined NATO and became a top target for Russian intelligence. Greed and the need for recognition lead recruit Alfred Vint (played by Tambet Tuisk who received the Best Actor Award at EFTA 2020, Estonian Film and TV Awards) to cooperate with Russian intelligence, leading to a thrilling cat-and-mouse game with determined young Estonian counterintelligence officer Marko Arrak (Veiko Porkanen).
GoQuest Media Managing Director Vivek Lath added, “Spy dramas have enjoyed consistent success with Indian audiences on streaming platforms. Both Civil Servant and Traitor have the story, casting, and production brilliance to build a new fanbase in the country.”
“Debt to the Sea is perfect for those who enjoy psychological thrillers with myths, murders, and family secrets set against a stunning seaside location like Montenegro. We are very excited that these exceptional Eastern European titles are now premiering in India and hope that Disney+ Hotstar audiences will enjoy them as much as we did,” he added.
Gaming
Nodwin Gaming partners with Runestone for esports data and integrity solutions
South Asian esports leader joins forces with Czech tech firm to enhance tournament operations.
MUMBAI: Nodwin Gaming has just levelled up its game by bringing in a specialist to keep the scoreboard honest and the fans fully engaged. The leading South Asian esports and gaming company has announced a strategic partnership with Runestone, a Prague-headquartered esports technology firm specialising in real-time data and engagement solutions for tournament organisers and publishers.
The collaboration aims to strengthen competitive integrity, improve operational oversight, and deliver more interactive viewing experiences across Nodwin’s properties. It will initially focus on the Nodwin Clutch Series for Counter-Strike 2, a Tier 2 tournament that provides emerging teams with consistent competitive opportunities and helps build the talent pipeline.
The latest edition of the series recently concluded with Big defeating ECSTATIC 2–1 in the grand final of the $50,000 online event.
Nodwin Gaming chief business officer at MENA and global head of data monetization Teemu Koski said, “Integrity and transparency are fundamental to sustainable esports ecosystems, especially in Tier 2 competition where the next generation of talent emerges. Runestone’s expertise complements our experience in building scalable esports IPs.”
Runestone head of partnerships Michael Schwartz added, “Nodwin Gaming has built one of the most dynamic esports ecosystems across emerging markets. We’re thrilled to collaborate on supporting tournaments with greater transparency, deeper fan interaction, and scalable tools.”
Both companies are exploring opportunities to extend the partnership across additional titles, including mobile-first competitive ecosystems, and to develop new products for publishers, tournament operators, and event promoters.
In the rapidly growing world of esports, where fair play and fan excitement are equally crucial, Nodwin Gaming and Runestone are teaming up to ensure every match is not only competitive but also transparent and engaging. This alliance could well become a game-changer for Tier 2 tournaments across South Asia and beyond.
