People to meet: Vlad Riashyn

Vlad Riashyn is the chief executive of Star Media Group, one of Russia’s largest independent production companies.

The company produces factual series and high-end dramas including Demons, which was nominated for an award at the Monte Carlo Television Festival.

It is also looking to produce local versions of international series; it recently inked a deal to produce a Russian version of FremantleMedia’s The IT Crowd.

Riashyn, who was previously chairman of the board at the Inter TV channel, will be at Discop to buy and sell; he will be discussing the producer’s latest television projects with Eastern European broadcasters and will also be meeting producers with new projects.

“Generally speaking, this market with its family spirit differs from other ones for its convenience; there is no rush and there is enough time to meet people in a calm atmosphere and even build friendships,” he says.

Star will be focusing on Demons at this year’s event. The crime drama, which stars Semion Strougachov and Aleksandr Dyachenko, was written by two former journalists Grigoriy and Sergey Kosariov. It airs on NTV in Russia and Riashyn is hopeful that it will be a hit at Discop. “We have high hopes that the series will be of interest to our European partners,” he says.

The company is also expanding. Last year it produced 35 television series and feature films and is looking to increase this to 2,500 hours next year. “We plan to increase this number next year and over 50 movies and series are being developed and produced now,” he adds.