Netflix held its first International Showcase on Monday, highlighting its dedication to local language programming and partnerships with over 1,000 producers from more than 50 countries outside the United States. Bela Bajaria, Netflix's Chief Content Officer, emphasized that "great stories can come from anywhere," a sentiment echoed by other executives at the event.

The showcase featured upcoming non-English language titles, including series like "One Hundred Years of Solitude" from Colombia and "The Leopard" from Italy. Paco Ramos, Vice President of Content for LATAM, stated that they aim to create engaging stories that audiences love so much they can't wait to finish and recommend them.

Executives discussed the cultural significance of their commissioned titles. Diego Avalos, VP of Content for Spain, noted their focus on reflecting Spanish idiosyncrasy in their productions. Tinny Andreatta, VP of Content for Italy, highlighted "The Leopard" as a project capturing an iconic moment in Italian history.

Bajaria explained the importance of authenticity in local stories and stressed that trying to make something universally appealing often results in content that resonates with no one. She encouraged her teams to support creators' visions with the goal of making shows and films that resonate primarily in their home countries.

Netflix's non-English language programming is gaining popularity due to quality content and effective recommendations, subtitles, and dubbing. Minyoung Kim shared that over 80% of Netflix members worldwide watch Korean content. Bajaria added that more than 70% of all viewing on Netflix involves subtitles or dubbing.

In the United States, where audiences have traditionally preferred local stories, interest in non-English programming is growing. Last year saw about 13% of hours viewed being non-English titles, with Korean, Spanish, and Japanese series attracting significant audiences.

New titles announced include an untitled Bollywood project from India and "Bullet Train Explosion" from Japan. Bajaria concluded by emphasizing Netflix's commitment to local storytelling and belief in global appeal: “Hopefully you can see the scope and ambition of what we’re doing around the world.”