As part of Venice Production Bridge, ACC will host panel discussions and meetings featuring film professionals from around the Arab world.
Arab Cinema Centre (ACC) is set to make its mark on the esteemed Venice International Film Festival once again, a tradition that spans nine years. Collaborating with the Venice Production Bridge, the ACC is all set to curate a series of events during the festival’s 80th edition, slated to take place from August 30 to September 9.
Among the highlights of this collaboration are two-panel discussions and a networking session, all aimed at fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Arab cinema on the global stage.
Kicking off the lineup is the panel discussion titled “An Amazing Journey Among Film Commissions,” led by the distinguished TV presenter Raya Abirached, a notable figure in the Arab media landscape. Scheduled for Saturday, September 2, at 4:15 pm, this discussion promises insights from prominent figures within the MENA region’s film industry, including Wayne Borg, Managing Director of Neom; Mohannad Al-Bakri, Managing Director of the Jordanian Royal Film Commission; Arie Bohrer, Film Commissioner of Film in Austria and the National Film Commission; and Jane Moore, CEO of Vertigo Films.
Simultaneously, the second panel discussion, “The Golden Time for Arab Talents Regionally and Internationally,” will take place on the same day at 5:15 pm. This dialogue, moderated by Alaa Karkouti, Co-Founder of MAD Solutions, will feature key luminaries such as Wayne Borg, Dora Bouchoucha, Founder of Nomadis Images; Mohamed Hefzy, Founder of Film Clinic; and Roua Al-Madani, Director of Development of Film AlUla.
In addition to these insightful panel discussions, the ACC is set to organise the “Middle East Networking Session,” a gathering that will bring together influential figures from the region’s film industry.
The ACC will be present at the reception ceremony for the Venice Production Bridge, which will be held on September 3.
Speaking about the events, Co-Founders of the ACC Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab said: “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.”
Head of the Venice Production Bridge Pascal Diot also expressed his happiness for the long-standing partnership with the ACC and stated: “I am very pleased to collaborate with the ACC on the organisation of a special Middle Eastern event that will include two panels and a networking session. The first panel, An Amazing Journey Among Film Commissions, will bring together personalities from the film and audiovisual industries and will be moderated by renowned TV presenter Raya Abirached. It will be followed by another panel titled The Golden Time for Arab Talents Regionally and Internationally and will be moderated by renowned industry key player Alaa Karkouti. I look forward to welcoming you in Venice.”
