Just a decade ago, in the absence of strong governmental initiatives or pan-Arab artistic movements to promote the Arab-language film industry on the international market, the Arab Cinema Center (ACC) began its mission of elevating the Arab film industry and amplifying the voices of Arab storytellers on a global scale.
Established in 2015 by the Cairo-based sales agent and distributor MAD Solutions, the ACC operates as a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing Arab cinema while fostering connections between film professionals worldwide. The ACC has worked to strengthen the concept of industry on the filmmaking scene and to pool resources, promote Arabic films and talent in the international marketplace, and to act as a guide and matchmaker in the industry at large.
This year, the ACC is celebrating its 10th anniversary. It made an exciting start at the Rotterdam Film Festival (IFFR) where it supported three producers in the Rotterdam Lab, five days of panel sessions, roundtables, and networking events. They provided a golden opportunity for participants to refine their co-producing craft and expand their international network.
“We are proud of our work in the last 10 years, because we wanted Arab cinema to be around the world and to connect the Arab industry together, as well as with its international counterparts,” ACC co-founder Alaa Karkouti told The Film Verdict in Berlin, on the sidelines of their activities at the European Film Market.
Along with co-founder Maher Diab, Karkouti aspires for ACC to keep shedding light on Arab cinema and stories in the international sphere.
“During these ten years, we have hosted dozens of initiatives in key markets around the world and international film festivals, have engaged in exciting partnerships with many key players in the industry, and held dozens of sessions and panel talks about Arab cinema,” said Karkouti.
At the Berlinale, the ACC held two panels. The first addressed the MENA region’s box-office revenues, while the second covered how far the Saudi film industry has developed since its inception 12 years ago. In addition, ACC honoured Mohannad Al-Bakri, the managing director of the Jordanian Royal Film Commission, with the Arab Cinema Personality of the Year Award. At Cannes, ACC is planning to present more panel discussions and networking events.
In the next phase, Karkouti aims to expand the Arab Critics Award and to invite more film critics and highlight their work. For the last seven years, the ACC has given opportunities to both Arab and international critics to vote for The Arab Critics Award in ten categories, including shorts. The jury currently includes an amazing collective of 209 critics from around the world.
Another initiative the ACC is working on and wants to expand, per Karkouti, is the Critics Award for European Films, in partnership with European Film Promotion. “We want to initiate similar awards for Asian films, African films, and Latin American films.”
One way the ACC has succeeded is in pointing out that film is like any industry, is a group collaboration, and no one can make it their own. A united front for Arab filmmaking, including more than 40 partnerships with transparent and fair competition, can elevate the industry and allow filmmakers to achieve their projects and reach a more diverse audience.
In recent decades the concept of industry in Arab cinema has not been strong, since movies have either been supported by the government, by big investors with no relationship to the film business, or through the initiatives of artistic collectives like the Sudanese Film Group or the 1980’s neo-realist movement in Egypt. The strength of ACC is the consistency of its efforts to support Arab films, which continue to develop despite the ups and downs of funding institutions and government support for the industry.
For example, after the Abu Dhabi Film Festival was brought to a close in 2015, many were pessimistic about Arab cinema losing a main funding source. But the following years showed the rise of other, even stronger initiatives like the Doha Film Institute, CineGouna, the Royal Film Commission in Jordan, the Red Sea Film Fund and others, all of which have partnered with ACC due to its loyal dedication to championing Arab films internationally.
Throughout the decade, the ACC has been present at more than sixty international festivals, set up stands and booths in the world’s top film markets like Cannes, Berlin, Malmo, CineGouna, Hong Kong, the Red Sea, and gave awards to 19 producers from all over the Arab world who pitched their films at international events. In addition, the institution has published 20 issues of the Arab Cinema Magazine to engage editorially with challenges of the industry, and to profile top names in the business.
For many non-Arabic speakers, the ACC’s annual list of the “Golden 101” (“artists, artisans, power-brokers and change-makers” in the Arab film, entertainment, and music industry, has become a comprehensive resource for filmmakers worldwide, facilitating access to Arab cinema and enhancing visibility in international markets.
