As part of a four-day program, the Arab Cinema Center (ACC), in collaboration with Marché du Film and the Palestine Film Institute, is set to host an exclusive panel discussion titled ‘Palestinian Cinema Under The Spotlight’ on the Main Stage at the 78th Cannes Film Festival from 10 am to 11 am on Friday, May 16th at View Point.
Moderated by Melanie Goodfellow, Senior International Film Correspondent at Deadline, who has extensive experience covering film and TV across Europe and the Middle East, the panel will examine the pivotal role of Palestinian storytelling in fostering global understanding and discuss the challenges of marketing films in today's polarized climate.
Speakers joining Melanie in this vital conversation include Rakan Mayasi, an independent Palestinian filmmaker based between Brussels and Beirut; Cherien Dabis, an American Palestinian filmmaker and actress; Rasha Salti, a distinguished researcher, writer, and curator who has curated internationally and written extensively on Palestinian cinema and culture; and May Odeh, an award-winning producer and the Founder of Odeh Films.
Other speakers include Mohamed Jabaly, an artist and filmmaker from Gaza who is also currently serving as the Program Manager at the Palestine Film Institute, and Rashid Masharawi — a celebrated filmmaker and founder of the Masharawi Film Fund who has long been dedicated to supporting Gaza-based filmmakers and projects, championing Palestinian storytelling through his deeply impactful work.
About the Arab Cinema Center
The ACC was established by MAD Solutions in 2015 as an international promotional and networking platform for Arab cinema. Registered as a non-profit organization in Berlin, the ACC provides its partner companies with a visible presence at all major film festivals and markets, connecting them with industry professionals, organizing events, and publishing special editions of the Arab Cinema Magazine.
Website: http://acc.film/
About the Marché du Film – Festival de Cannes
The Marché du Film — the business wing of the Cannes Film Festival — is the largest international gathering of professionals in the film industry. As the key stepping stone in the creation, production, and distribution of films around the world, the Marché is proud to bring together over 12,500 industry professionals (including producers, distributors, festival representatives, film institutions, buyers, and financiers) from over 120 countries to meet, share ideas and projects, and make deals in one unique setting.
Website: www.Marchédufilm.com
About the Palestine Film Institute
An independent, non-profit organization founded in 2019, run by a dedicated group of volunteers, most of whom are filmmakers and producers. This institution facilitates access to industry experts and international film events, fostering Palestinian talent through training programs, workshops, and seminars on different stages of filmmaking, as well as preserving and archiving Palestinian film productions. Additionally, the organization works on creating a comprehensive database of funding institutions and artistic residencies.
