The Arab Cinema Center unveils its dynamic program at 78th Cannes Film Festival

Egypt Today

06-05-2025

The Arab Cinema Center unveils its dynamic program at 78th Cannes Film Festival.
In collaboration with Marché du Film, the Arab Cinema Center (ACC) is set to host a captivating lineup of activities at this year's 78th Cannes Film Festival, running from May 13th to 24th, featuring thought-provoking panels and prestigious award ceremonies that celebrate the diversity and dynamism of Arab cinema.
Over a four-day program, the ACC will present four panels and two prestigious award ceremonies, showcasing industry professionals both in front of and behind the camera and exploring the latest developments in MENA's changing and exciting entertainment landscape.
Eager to collaborate with the ACC once again, Executive Director Of The Marché Du Film Guillaume Esmiol said, 'We are happy to welcome back the Arab Cinema Center at the Marché du Film. Their continued engagement and curated programming contribute to shining a light on the richness and complexity of Arab cinema while helping structure conversations that matter across our industry.
'This long-standing collaboration underscores our commitment to fostering diverse perspectives and facilitating meaningful exchange across the global film community,' he added.
'This year's Cannes festival marks another year in which we inform, educate, and sing the praises of the pan-Arab cinema industry. We will be highlighting its depth and richness, while at the same time creating an agenda for what remains to be done at an industry level. As always, we'd like to thank Marché du Film for this ongoing collaboration and for the platform it provides to our corner of the world,' said ACC Co-Founders Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab.
'This year, aside from annual events like the Critics Awards for Arab Films and the ceremony to name the Arab Cinema Personality of the Year, we have a bevy of panels lined up for those keen to learn about the Arab World's largest filmmaking hub: Egypt; we will also shine a timely spotlight on Palestinian cinema; and we will examine important new funding avenues for Arab films and the secrets for success when it comes to international co-productions. It's a lot to discuss, but there's no better place to do it than at the Cannes Marché.'
Kicking off the program will be a compelling panel titled 'Egypt: Arab World's Blockbuster Nation,' moderated by Nick Vivarelli of Variety from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm on Thursday, May 15th, at the main stage. That same day, the ACC's Arab Cinema Personality of the Year, CEO of the Doha Film Institute Fatma Alremaihi, will be honored in an invite-only ceremony held from 5 to 7 pm at Viewpoint, Palais des Festivals.
The following day, Friday, May 16th, will feature a panel titled 'Palestinian Cinema Under The Spotlight,' moderated by Melanie Goodfellow of Deadline, from 10 to 11 am at the main stage. Later that day, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at View Point Venue, Michael Rosser of Screen International will lead a case study on the 'Anatomy of an Authentic Arab Co-Production,' exploring collaboration within the industry.
On May 17th, from 5 to 7 pm, the ACC, MAD Solutions, and the International Emerging Film Talent Association (IEFTA) will host the Critics Awards for Arab Films ceremony, which will be held at Plages des Palmes by invitation only, celebrating standout achievements in recent Arab cinema.
Launched in 2017 by the ACC at the Cannes Film Festival, the Arab Critics Awards for Arab Films provides a platform for a glittering jury of more than 280 prominent international film critics to select and honor the best of recent Arab cinema across numerous awards categories.
Concluding the ACC events at Marché du Film will be a panel titled 'Equity Financing: Pioneering New Financing Avenues for Arab Cinema,' moderated by Gamal Guemeih and taking place from 2 to 3 on Sunday, May 18th, at the main stage.
A distinguished lineup of guests will grace these events, including trailblazing Egyptian superstar Youssra; Managing Director of the Jordanian Royal Film Commission Mohannad Al Bakri; business entrepreneur and President of the El Gouna Film Festival Samih Sawiris; actor Hussein Fahmy, President of the Cairo International Film Festival; producer and Founder of Film Clinic Mohamed Hefzy; Director of the El Gouna Film Festival Amr Mansi; Managing Director of Egypt Film Commission Ahmed Sami; director of Un Certain Regard title AISHA CAN'T FLY AWAY Morad Mostafa, its producer Sawsan Mostafa, and Founder of A. A. Films Ahmed Amer.
Other notable attendees include Acting Executive Director of Film AlUla Zaid Shaker; Palestinian producer May Odeh; French producer Didar Domehri; Puerto Rican filmmaker and Co-Founder of the IEFTA Marco Orsini; Program Manager at the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture Soleil Gharbieh; director and actress Sherine Dababis; director and Program Manager of the Palestinian Film Foundation Mohamed Al-Jabali; director Rashid Mashharawi; Founder and Executive Director of Yellow Camel Studios Rasha Al-Imam; Director of production services at the Royal Film Commission Bashar Abu Nawar; Cinema Affairs Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region and Founder and President of the Cinema Authority in Kurdistan Sulaymaniyah Bafi Yasin; Tunisian producer Dora Bouchoucha; Saudi producer and General Manager of Rotana Studios Mohamed Wafa; Lebanese producer and Founder of Abbout Productions Georges Schoucair; and many more to be announced soon.