Highlighting professionals in the film industry, both in front of and behind the camera

"Holding a panel titled "Palestinian Cinema Under the Microscope

The Arab Cinema Center, in collaboration with the Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival, is preparing a distinguished lineup of events for the 78th edition of the festival, held from May 13 to 24. The program includes thought-provoking panels and awards ceremonies that celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of Arab cinema.

Over four full days, the Arab Cinema Center will present four key panel discussions along with two awards ceremonies to spotlight industry professionals both in front of and behind the camera, while celebrating the world of Arab cinema.

Arab Cinema Center Efforts

Guillaume Esmiol, Executive Director of the Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival, said: “We are delighted to welcome back the Arab Cinema Center to the film market. Their continued commitment and outstanding programming highlight the richness and complexity of Arab cinema and foster important discussions across our industry. This long-standing partnership underlines our shared commitment to supporting diverse perspectives and encouraging fruitful exchanges within the global film community.”

Commenting on the events, the Arab Cinema Center’s co-founders, Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab, said: “A new year, and another Cannes Festival where we shine a spotlight on Arab films and professionals in the Arab cinema industry, from the Atlantic to the Gulf, showcasing its depth and richness, what has been achieved and what remains to be done, while connecting with the international film industry. As always, we thank the Marché du Film for their continued support and for providing this platform for our corner of the world.”

They added: “This year, alongside annual events such as the Critics Awards for Arab Films and the Arab Cinema Personality of the Year ceremony, we’re hosting a series of panels for those interested in exploring the most prominent film production hub in the Arab world: Egypt; Palestinian cinema through the years to the present; and the potential for opening new global funding avenues for Arab films. There’s a lot to discuss, and no better place than the Cannes Film Market to have these conversations.”

Event Highlights

Activities will begin with a compelling panel titled “Egypt: The Mass Audience Cinema Powerhouse of the Arab World,” moderated by Nick Vivarelli of Variety, from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM on Thursday, May 15 on the Main Stage. On the same day, Fatma Hassan Al Remaihi, CEO of the Doha Film Institute, will be honored as Arab Cinema Personality of the Year in an invitation-only ceremony from 5 PM to 7 PM at the Viewpoint Room in the Palais des Festivals.

The next day, Friday, May 16, a panel titled “Palestinian Cinema Under the Microscope” will be held, moderated by Melanie Goodfellow from Deadline, from 10 AM to 11 AM on the Main Stage. Later that day, from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Viewpoint Room, Michael Rosser of Screen International will lead a case study discussion titled “Anatomy of a Genuine Arab Co-production,” exploring collaboration methods within the industry.

On May 17, from 5 PM to 7 PM, the Arab Cinema Center, in collaboration with MAD Solutions and the International Emerging Film Talent Association (IEFTA), will host the Critics Awards for Arab Films at Plages des Palmes, by invitation only, honoring outstanding achievements in modern Arab cinema.

Final Event

The Arab Cinema Center’s activities at the Film Market will conclude with a panel titled “Equity-Based Financing: Pioneering New Funding Horizons for Arab Cinema,” moderated by Jamal Jameeh, taking place from 2 PM to 3 PM on Sunday, May 18 on the Main Stage.

Distinguished guests attending these events include leading Egyptian actress Yousra, Managing Director of the Royal Film Commission – Jordan Mohannad Al Bakri, Gouna Film Festival President and businessman Samih Sawiris, Cairo International Film Festival President and Egyptian star Hussein Fahmy, producer and Film Clinic founder Mohamed Hefzy, GFF Executive Director Amr Mansi, General Director of the Egypt Film Commission Ahmed Sami Badowi, director Morad Mostafa of the Un Certain Regard selection film “Aisha Can’t Fly Away Anymore,” the film’s producer Sawsan Mostafa, and A. A. Films founder Ahmed Amer.