The initiative returns to Cannes with a curated four-day program of panels, awards, and industry events spotlighting leadership, innovation, and the global expansion of Arab cinema.
The Arab Cinema Center (ACC), in collaboration with the Marché du Film, returns to Cannes with a multi-day program taking place from May 14th to the 17th. Through a series of panels and key events, the initiative continues to provide a platform for industry exchange while highlighting the evolution and growing global reach of Arab cinema.
This year’s program focuses on key themes shaping the regional and international audiovisual landscape, from leadership and talent development to innovation, resilience, and cross-border circulation. Bringing together leading voices from across the Arab World and beyond, the ACC aims to foster dialogue and collaboration at one of the industry’s most important global gatherings.
Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab, Co-Founders of the Arab Cinema Center, said: “At a time when the industry is undergoing rapid transformation, it is important to reflect on how Arab cinema continues to evolve and position itself globally. 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. Cannes remains a key platform for these conversations, and we are proud to continue contributing to them.”
“We’re excited to be collaborating this year with a key player like MBC STUDIOS, as well. MBC has long acted as a lynchpin for change, development, and expansion within the pan-Arab entertainment industry, serving as a primary driver for its evolution throughout the years. It’ll be interesting to hear what insights the company has on the current state of the industry and its future plans,” they added.
Samar Akrouk, Managing Director at MBC STUDIOS and Group Director of Production at MBC GROUP added: “There is a real sense of momentum across our industry today - one that reflects both how far we have come and the opportunity that still lies ahead. With that comes a shared responsibility to continue shaping it with clarity, intention, and ambition.”
Akrouk continues: “What we are building remains a nascent ecosystem, but one that is taking form deliberately, block by block, through persistence, collaboration, and a collective belief in its potential. There is something both humbling and energizing about being part of a movement that is creating its own foundations in real time. It is not easy, and it is not immediate, but it is deeply meaningful. Platforms like Festival de Cannes, and collaborations with the Arab Cinema Center and Marché du Film, are essential in helping us align, challenge ourselves, and collectively move this industry forward.”
“We are pleased to continue our collaboration with the Arab Cinema Center, whose programming plays an important role in highlighting the diversity and evolution of Arab cinema” said Guillaume Esmiol, Executive Director of the Marché du Film. “Through its panels and events, the ACC contributes to structuring meaningful conversations within the Marché du Film, bringing valuable perspectives to the global industry dialogue.”
This year’s program includes a series of panels and events addressing key industry topics:
This panel explores what is fueling the momentum commercial Arab productions are currently experiencing, how producers are optimizing budgets for impact, and how the region is building a sustainable model for commercially successful storytelling.
Exploring the growing role of women in shaping the strategic direction of the audiovisual industry across financing, production, and distribution.
A discussion on the increasing visibility and global impact of Arab talent and the factors driving this momentum.
Presented in collaboration with the Kurdistan Film Commission, this session examines how the region’s industries are adapting to change through new models, partnerships, and strategies.
A conversation on how co-production models are evolving, what makes collaborations successful, and how the region can position itself as a competitive partner for commercially driven content.
In addition to its panel program, the ACC will host the 10th Critics Awards for Arab Films on May 16th at the Plage des Palmes, celebrating outstanding achievements in Arab filmmaking as selected by an international jury of film critics. Moreover, presenting the Arab Cinema Center’s Personality of the Year and Game Changer Awards.
This year’s lineup of speakers features an impressive roster of leading global film and industry professionals from both sides of the camera, as well as key figures from influential organizations, including Samar Akrouk (Managing Director at MBC STUDIOS & Group Director of Production at MBC GROUP), Tarek Al Arian (Director, Producer), Zeinab Abu Alsamh (GM MBC STUDIOS KSA, MBC ACADEMY & MBC TALENT), Suad Bushnaq (Music Composer), Amine Bouhafa (Music Composer), Baho Bakhsh (CEO at Red Star Films; Producer), Gianluca Chakra (Founder & CEO at Front Row Filmed Entertainment), Dhafer L’Abidine (Actor; Writer; Director , producer), Nadia Eliewat (CEO & Creative Director at Ta Films / Screen Project), Hussein Fahmi (Actor; President of CIFF), Mohamed Hefzy (Co-Founder at Film Clinic , screenwriter), Ali Jaafar (Head of Films and Global Series at MBC STUDIOS), Jihad Jay Abdo (CEO of the National Film Organization in Damascus),Alaa Karkouti (Co-Founder at MAD Solutions and Arab Cinema Center), Raya Abirached (TV personality), Mostafa El Kashef (Cinematographer), Marco Orsini (Producer; Co-Founder at IEFTT), Hana Al-Omair (Writer and Director; Chairperson of the Saudi Cinema Association), Rula Nasser (Producer; Founder at Imaginarium Films), Myriam Sassine (Producer), Jumana Sharbin (General Manager at Olivewood Film Studios), Wissam Smayra (Filmmaker , Producer), Mayada Al Hiraki (Founder & Producer at The Storytellers), Bavi Yassin (Founder and Chairperson at Kurdistan Film Commission), with many more speakers to be announced.
The Marché du Film – Festival de Cannes opens its doors on May 12th and runs until May 20th, gathering thousands of film professionals from around the world and providing a unique platform for international exchange, collaboration, and industry insight.
For press inquiries, please contact: info@arabcinemacenter.com
About Marché du Film
The Marché du Film, the business hub of the Festival de Cannes, is the world’s largest international gathering of film professionals, bringing together over 15,000 participants from around the world, including sales agents, producers, distributors, festival programmers and film institutions. Each year, the market hosts more than 1,500 exclusive screenings, 4,000 projects in development, and 250 industry events — providing a vibrant platform for the global film community to connect, accelerate their business, spark new collaborations and explore the latest trends & innovations shaping the industry.
Website: www.marchedufilm.com
About Arab Cinema Center
Founded by MAD Solutions in 2015, the Arab Cinema Center (ACC) is a non-profit platform promoting Arab cinema internationally. Through its presence at major festivals and markets, the ACC connects Arab filmmakers and producers with global industry players and audiences.
Website: https://acc.film/
About MBC STUDIOS:
MBC STUDIOS is a leading global production powerhouse, born to realise the unrivalled and untapped storytelling potential of the Middle East region.
With a rising demand for original Arabic content produced to international standards in the MENA region, MBC STUDIOS is tapping into this underdeveloped market by conceptualising and producing the most compelling stories for cinema, television, and on-demand platforms.
MBC STUDIOS also serves as a prominent hub for international productions seeking to film in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the surrounding region. Offering comprehensive support and resources to facilitate seamless and successful filming experiences, MBC STUDIOS is facilitating and enabling global production houses to capture the unique essence and beauty of this remarkable region.
Through its extensive network and expertise, MBC STUDIOS strives to foster a thriving environment for international collaborations.
What’s more, MBC STUDIOS continues to invest in Saudi talent and infrastructure, to encourage local investment in the region through creating employment opportunities and honing young Saudi talent throughout different stages of the production process.
For press inquiries or more information, please contact:
Sasha GEMAYEL
Sr. Group PR Manager & Corporate Communication
MBC GROUP
+971 50 450 7504
