Panel at El Gouna Film Festival… Producing Arab Works Between Creativity and Cultural Adaptation
A panel titled “From Original Productions to Formats: Arab Works Going Global” was held Mariam Naoum: “Every project begins as an original idea built around the characters”
Within the framework of the 8th edition of the El Gouna Film Festival, a panel titled “From Original Productions to Formats: Arab Works Going Global” was held on October 22, 2025, to discuss how Arab stories reach a global audience.
The session was moderated by Ziad Sarouji, Senior Vice President of Content Strategy and Business Development at Rise Studios, with the participation of Mariam Naoum, screenwriter and head of the CineGouna Forum; Irmak Yazm, CEO of O3 Media in Saudi Arabia; and Mohamed Mshish, founder and executive producer at BlueBee Productions.
Sarouji opened the discussion by asking how an original script can be adapted into formats suitable for different cultures and how intellectual property rights are managed in the process. Mariam Naoum explained that every project begins as an original idea built around characters, saying, “When I start, I treat it as if I’m writing a new novel that fits the target culture while preserving the spirit of the story.”
“Cultural and emotional understanding is key” Irmak Yazm shared her experience adapting Syrian, Iraqi, and Saudi works, emphasizing that understanding the audience’s culture and emotions is crucial: “When you feel the emotions and understand the audience’s culture, the story becomes real and alive.”
Mohamed Mshish highlighted the producer’s role, stating, “Choosing the format depends on how suitable it is for the local culture. In Egypt, drama and crime succeed because the Egyptian audience loves them.”
The session also discussed the relationship between writers and producers. Naoum stressed the importance of negotiation and understanding without compromising the essence of creativity, while Yazm noted that some adjustments may be necessary due to political or social sensitivities.
Regarding the potential for Arab works to gain global reach, Naoum expressed optimism: “We have the capability; we just need to develop our storytelling style and manage our intellectual property smartly.”
The session concluded with a unified vision: whether original or adapted, Arab creators today are fully ready to leave their mark on the global screen.