DUBAI: The Arab Cinema Center, in partnership with the Marche du Film, will return to the Cannes Film Festival with a four-day program from May 14 to 17, highlighting the continued growth and global reach of Arab cinema.
Bringing together industry leaders, producers, talent representatives and decision-makers, this year’s initiative will explore key themes shaping the audiovisual sector, including leadership, innovation, talent development and cross-border collaboration.
ACC co-founders Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab said the program comes at a time of “rapid transformation” in the industry.
“This year’s program brings together voices from across the ecosystem — from decision-makers and talent representatives to producers and distributors — to explore where we stand today and where we are headed next,” they said in a joint statement.
This year, the ACC is partnering with MBC Studios, with the co-founders saying the media company has “long acted as a linchpin for change, development, and expansion within the pan-Arab entertainment industry … It’ll be interesting to hear what insights the company has on the current state of the industry and its future plans.”
The program features a series of panels addressing major industry trends. Topics include the rise of commercial Arab productions, the increasing role of women in leadership, the global visibility of Arab talent, and new models for innovation and growth. Discussions will also examine the expanding role of co-productions in driving commercially viable storytelling across the region.
The ACC will also host the 10th Critics Awards for Arab Films on May 16, recognizing outstanding achievements in the region’s filmmaking. Additional honors, including the Personality of the Year and Game Changer Awards, will also be presented.
The Marche du Film runs from May 12 to 20, bringing together thousands of film professionals from around the world.
