The Arab Cinema Center (ACC) has exciting news for film enthusiasts as it is announcing that Arab shorts will now be competing in the esteemed eighth edition of the Critics Award for Arab Films.
Additionally, this year's lineup of prestigious awards features the customary categories along with the newly added Best Short Film Award, which will shine a spotlight on the captivating artistry of filmmakers in shorter narratives.
“For its eighth edition, the Critics Awards for Arab Films has an expansive selection of Arab film productions that have garnered significant acclaim and positive reception at numerous international film festivals and events throughout the previous year. As we witness a larger number of films and expanded categories for recognition, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated jury members for their unwavering commitment and diligent efforts in evaluating these outstanding works,” said Deborah Young — Manager of the Critics Awards for Arab Films — when reached for comment on the latest edition of the virtual awards.
Co-Founders of the ACC Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab also expressed their joy for eight years of the Critics’ Awards and a decade of the ACC, saying “It is with great delight that we come together to commemorate this installment of the esteemed Critics Awards for Arab films. This annual event continues to elevate its stature, playing a vital role in raising global awareness of the vibrant Arab film industry. As we mark this milestone, we are thrilled to announce the expansion of our esteemed jury, bringing together a diverse group of industry experts. Moreover, we are proud to introduce a brand-new award category dedicated to honoring the exceptional talents within the Short Film industry.”
The first Critics Awards for Arab Films was held on the margins of the 70th Cannes Film Festival and is an annual event held in partnership with Festival Scope that honors the best Arab productions of the previous year with awards in the following categories: Best Feature Film, Best Documentary Film, Best Director, Best Writer, Best Actress, Best Actor, and now Best Short Film.
For this year’s edition, the jury committee is bringing together XXX of the most prominent Arab and international film critics from XXX countries.
For the past decade, the ACC has been at the forefront of championing and nurturing up-and-coming directors who dare to explore revolutionary film genres. With a steadfast commitment to fostering creativity and innovation, the center has become a pivotal force in the Arab film industry. By providing invaluable guidance, mentorship, and resources, the ACC empowers emerging filmmakers to push boundaries, challenge conventions, and bring their unique visions to life.
A subsidiary of MAD Solutions, the ACC is a nonprofit organization registered in Amsterdam and is an international promotional platform for Arab cinema, providing the Arab filmmaking industry with a professional window to connect with its counterparts from all over the world through a number of events that it organizes.
The ACC also provides networking opportunities with representatives of companies and institutions specialized in co-production and international distribution, among others. The ACC's activities vary between film markets, stands, and pavilions, networking sessions and one-on-one meetings bringing together Arab and foreign filmmakers, welcome parties, as well as meetings with international organizations and festivals, and the issuance of the Arab Cinema Magazine to be distributed at the leading international film festivals and markets.
Furthermore, a newsletter subscription is now available on the ACC's website, allowing users to obtain digital copies of the Arab Cinema Magazine, as well as news on the ACC's activities, notifications of application dates for grants, festivals and offers from educational and training institutions, updates on Arab films participating at festivals, exclusive news on the Arab Cinema LAB, and highlights from the ACC's partners and their future projects.
The ACC also launched an English-language Arab Cinema Guide, available on its website, which is a comprehensive cinematic guide that provides a variety of tools presented collectively for the first time to offer information on Arab cinema to filmmakers inside and outside the Arab world. It also aims to facilitate filmmakers' access to international markets and help film industry representatives easily identify Arab film productions.
