Bidaya Media

Bidaya Media is an Emirati animation and children’s media production company founded in 2013 in Abu Dhabi. Its work combines educational entertainment with Arabic-language storytelling, cultural heritage, social tolerance and STEM learning. The company develops content for children and families across television, digital platforms and interactive media, with bilingual production supporting audiences beyond the Arabic-speaking market.

Established within Abu Dhabi’s twofour54 media community, Bidaya works with the backing of Mubadala Investment Company and in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority. Its output connects early childhood educational objectives with entertainment, using animation, puppetry and live-action material to address younger audiences.

Educational storytelling and original characters

Bidaya became known regionally through the 2015 revival of Iftah Ya Simsim, the Arabic co-production of Sesame Street. Produced in collaboration with Sesame Workshop and the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, the revival brought an established educational format to a new generation of viewers.

The company subsequently took responsibility for production and long-term brand development of The Adventures of Mansour, an Emirati animated property originally created by Rashed Alharmoodi. Its involvement includes seasons two through five of the television series and the development of the franchise across additional formats.

In 2022, Bidaya launched The Adventures of Mansour: Age of A.I., a science-fiction sequel conceived simultaneously in Arabic and English for international distribution. The production comprises 52 eleven-minute episodes. The wider portfolio also includes the preschool spin-off Mansour & Sara and the mobile game Mansour: Victory Quest.

Production capabilities

Bidaya’s production scope spans original concept development, worldbuilding, visual development, character design, storyboarding, 2D and 3D animation, and post-production. It also supports bilingual script adaptation, dubbing, voice casting and audio production.

Alongside screen production, the company works on educational frameworks with public institutions and child-development specialists. Franchise development extends into licensing, merchandising coordination, mobile applications and experiential activities, connecting its characters with audiences across multiple forms of media.