At the 78th Cannes Film Festival, Arab cinema didn’t just make an appearance — it made a statement. From official country pavilions to award-winning films and high-profile panels, the Arab presence was unmistakable. At the heart of this cultural surge stood the Arab Cinema Center (ACC): A driving force that has, over the past decade, transformed the global perception and reach of Arab cinema.
Founded in 2015, the ACC has evolved into the premier platform for promoting Arab cinema internationally. With over 45 global festivals and markets under its belt — including Berlin, Cannes, Venice, and Toronto — the ACC has become synonymous with Arab cinematic excellence. Its mission: To connect Arab filmmakers with global audiences, industry leaders, and funding opportunities.
With the 78th Cannes now behind us, perhaps we should look back at what the ACC has done at the French festival and, indeed, throughout its more than a decade of operation.
Building Bridges Through Dialogue
In this year’s Cannes, the ACC boasted a busy schedule of activities that included four panels with the Arab World’s best and brightest acting and filmmaking talents — including mega stars Youssra and Hussein Fahmy, and the prolific producer and CEO of Film Clinic Mohamed Hefzy — discussing the popularity of Egypt as a filmmaking hub in the region, the progression of Palestinian cinema over the years, what makes an Arab co-production authentic, the creation of more avenues to effectively fund Arab film projects, fostering professional networks connecting Arab and international filmmakers, and everything in between!
Supporting Arab Films on the Global Stage
The ACC’s support extends beyond promotion. At Cannes, it championed films like ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA (Palestine), PROMISED SKY (Tunisia), and AISHA CAN'T FLY AWAY (Egypt), ensuring they received media coverage, press interviews, and strategic visibility. This is part of a broader strategy to help Arab filmmakers navigate international funding, distribution, and festival circuits.
Arab Cinema Magazine: A Global Lens
Once again amplifying Arab voices, the ACC published the 25th edition of its Arab Cinema Magazine — the first English-language publication dedicated to Arab cinema. With 25 editions and 55,000 copies distributed across 26 festivals, it has become a vital resource for industry professionals and was ranked the third most-read magazine at Cannes 2023.
As always for its Cannes editions, the 25th Arab Cinema Magazine included its long and exhaustive Golden 101 — a who’s who list of the pan-Arab cinema industry’s most ardent and impactful contributors, including actors, filmmakers, platforms, festivals, channels, and more along with giving you a quick summary of their careers and what they’ve done over the past year.
Celebrating Excellence: The Critics Awards for Arab Films and Arab Critics Awards for European Films
The ACC’s Arab Critics Awards for Arab Films, launched in 2017, now feature 281 critics from 75 countries. Categories include Best Film, Director, Actor, and more, with a new Short Film category added in 2024. The ACC also bridges cultures through the European Critics’ Awards, recognizing outstanding European films since 2019.
Strategic Partnerships and Digital Innovation
With over 40 strategic partnerships — including NEOM Media Hub, Festival Scope, and The Hollywood Reporter — the ACC has built a robust ecosystem for Arab cinema. Its digital platform, acc.film, offers a comprehensive database of Arab films, directors, and production opportunities, serving as a vital tool for industry stakeholders.
A Decade of Milestones: The Arab Cinema Center by the Numbers
Arab Cinema Personality of the Year Awards
Honoring influential figures from the UAE, Egypt, Tunisia, Sweden-Palestine, Jordan, and Qatar.
13 International Film Critics Honored
Lifetime Achievement Awards presented at Cannes to critics from Egypt, Lebanon, the US, Iraq, France, the UK, and Cyprus.
9 Editions of the Critics Awards for Arab Films
Over 50 awards presented across 9 categories, with the Short Film category added in 2024.
6 Editions of the European Critics’ Awards Recognizing top European films from North Macedonia, Germany, Slovakia, Poland, and Finland.
A Consistent Presence at 45+ Global Festivals and Markets
Including Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Toronto, and El Gouna, with official pavilions at major markets like TIFF, Berlinale, and Marché du Film.
40+ Networking and Professional Sessions
Held at Cannes, Berlin, and Cairo, including recent collaborations with European Film Promotion.
40+ Strategic Partnerships
With global platforms and institutions, including NEOM Media Hub, Festival Scope, The Hollywood Reporter, and Film Verdict.
Films from 18+ Arab Countries Promoted Through Telescope, spotlighting diverse voices and stories.
Launch of ACC.FILM
A digital gateway to Arab cinema, offering a film database, filmmaker profiles, and direct industry connections.
Distinguished Film Labs and Panels
Including the Arab Cinema Lab (Dubai), MENA 360 (Cannes), Arab Cinema Hot Spots (Berlin), and Venice Production Bridge sessions.
As the Arab Cinema Center marks over a decade of transformative work, its legacy is clear: it has not only elevated Arab cinema but has also built a sustainable, interconnected ecosystem that ensures Arab voices are heard, seen, and celebrated across the globe. It champions a simple, yet clear, message: Arab cinema is not a niche — it’s a global force.
Comments
Leave a Comment