The Arab Cinema Center has announced the recipients of its seventh annual Critics' Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing the outstanding careers of Iraqi journalist and critic Erfan Rashid as well as Cypriot critic, film historian, and Co-Founder of the Greek Film Critics Association Ninos Mikelides.
With the award ceremony set to take place during the 78th Cannes Film Festival as part of the Marché du Film, both critics have contributed essays to the 25th issue of Arab Cinema Magazine, published by the Arab Cinema Center in the leadup to the ceremony.
Co-Founders of the Arab Cinema Center Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab commented on this year’s honorees, saying, "The Arab Cinema Center has chosen to award the seventh edition of this prize to journalist and critic Erfan Rashid, whose four-decade career in cinema, journalism, and culture has enriched Arab and global film discourse.”
“Alongside him, we honor journalist and film historian Ninos Mikelides, a pivotal figure in Greek film criticism, co-founder and former president of the Greek Film Critics Association, and a leader in international film institutions. His contributions include shaping the 'European Cinema Panorama' and celebrating luminaries of world cinema."
On receiving the award, Erfan Rashid remarked, "Being granted this lifetime achievement award for my work in film criticism is a crowning moment in my 40-year journey."
Ninos Mikelides also expressed gratitude, saying: "I extend my deepest thanks to the Arab Cinema Center for this unexpected honor. Our profession is built on love and passion for cinema — a passion I strive to share with my readers. Many deserving critics came before me, and so I accept this award with great humility."
About Erfan Rashid
Born in Iraq in 1952 and based in Italy since 1978, Erfan Rashid is a film critic, journalist, and translator. Over an astounding four-decade career, Rashid has bridged Arab and European culture through the programming, criticism, and literary translations of films. From 2007 to 2015, he headed Arab programming at the Dubai International Film Festival and co-authored ‘Cinema in the Arab World.’ His documentary MIGRATORY BIRDS explored the lives of Arab intellectuals abroad.
A journalist since 1979, Rashid has written for major Arab outlets and held editorial roles at Italy’s Adnkronos and RAI Med, respectively. He has also produced environmental documentaries, and translated Italian literature; including works by Leonardo Sciascia and Carlo Levi. In 2017, he founded Huna Roma to foster Italo-Arab cultural dialogue and is an esteemed voting member of the Golden Globes.
About Ninos Mikelides
A Cypriot film historian, journalist, and poet Ninos Mikelides studied literature in Athens and film in London and Paris. His 1963 short HELEN, inspired by George Seferis’ poetry, won international acclaim. A cornerstone of Greek film criticism, he co-founded the Hellenic Film Critics Association and held leadership roles in global film bodies.
Since 1988, he has organized the European Cinema Panorama, honoring cinematic legends, and directed festivals like Cyprus Film Days and Kalamata Documentary Festival. An impeccable writer of film books, novels, and poetry, his works appear in publications the world over.
About the Critics' Lifetime Achievement Award
Launched in 2018, the award highlights film criticism by honoring Arab and international critics annually at Cannes. Past recipients include Egypt’s Youssef Sherif Rizkallah, Lebanon’s Ibrahim Al-Ariss and Mohammad Rida, France’s Olivier Barlet, and American critics Deborah Young and Jay Weissberg. Last year’s winners were Lebanon’s Nadim Jarjoura and the UK’s Peter Bradshaw.
About the Arab Cinema Center
A non-profit founded in 2015, the Arab Cinema Center promotes Arab cinema globally through networking events, market pavilions, and their ever-prolific Arab Cinema Magazine. Their online Arab Cinema Directory connects Arab filmmakers with international opportunities, offering resources for co-productions, distribution, and festival participation.
