The upcoming 80th Venice International Film Festival, scheduled to run from August 30th to September 9th, is set to be enriched by a series of engaging events organized by the Arab Cinema Center (ACC). In collaboration with the Venice Production Bridge, the ACC will curate two insightful panel discussions and an interactive networking session at this renowned Italian cinematic extravaganza, known for attracting Hollywood luminaries and international celebrities.
The inaugural panel, titled "An Amazing Journey Among Film Commissions," is slated for September 2nd and will be helmed by the esteemed celebrity TV presenter, Raya Abirached. The discussion will feature a distinguished lineup, including Wayne Borg, the Managing Director of Saudi Arabia's NEOM; Mohannad Al-Bakri, the Managing Director of the Jordanian Royal Film Commission; Arie Bohrer, Film Commissioner of Film in Austria and the National Film Commission; and Jane Moore, the CEO of Vertigo Films. This discussion promises to shed light on the intricate world of film commissions and their influence on the cinematic landscape.
Simultaneously, on the same day, the second panel titled "The Golden Time for Arab Talents Regionally and Internationally" will take center stage. Moderated by Alaa Karkouti, Co-Founder of MAD Solutions, this discussion will gather a diverse panel of prominent figures from the Arab film industry. The panelists include Wayne Borg, the founder of Nomadis Images; Dora Bouchoucha, a trailblazer and founder of Nomadis Images; Mohamed Hefzy, the founder of Film Clinic; and Roua Al-Madani, Director of Development of Film AlUla. This session will explore the current landscape for Arab talents, their growing influence both regionally and internationally, and the challenges they face.
Elated by this continued collaboration, the co-founders of the ACC, Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab, expressed their excitement, "We are thrilled to collaborate with Venice for the ninth year in a row. We strive to promote Arab cinema at some of the world's most prestigious international film festivals, be it through panel discussions, screenings, or any other activities. We are also pleased that Lebanese heartthrob Raya Abirached — one of the Arab world's most successful TV presenters — will lead one of our panel discussions."
Established by MAD Solutions in 2015, the ACC stands as a nonprofit organization registered in Berlin, dedicated to elevating Arab cinema on the global stage. The collaboration between the ACC and the Venice International Film Festival underscores the shared commitment to fostering cultural exchange and creative discussions within the industry.
In parallel, the Saudi Film Commission is making its presence felt at the festival, organized by La Biennale di Venezia. The Saudi delegation, spearheaded by Abdullah Al-Ayyaf, CEO of the Film Commission, a governmental entity affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, will engage in a roundtable discussion. This conversation aims to bring together international experts to deliberate on the most pressing challenges surrounding content distribution in languages other than English to diverse global audiences.
As the 80th Venice International Film Festival approaches, the ACC and the Saudi Film Commission's participation signifies a broader push towards cross-cultural understanding, artistic enrichment, and industry development within the world of cinema.