First Ever Arab Film Institute Launches at DIFF 2016

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 11: (L-R) Antoine Khalife, Dora Bouchoucha, Maysoon Pachachi, Salem Brahimi, Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, Mohamed Hefzy, George David, Hafiz Al Ali and Paul Baboudjian attend the Arab Film Institute press conference during day five of the 13th annual Dubai International Film Festival held at the Madinat Jumeriah Complex on December 11, 2016 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for DIFF) — DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 11: (L-R) Antoine Khalife, Dora Bouchoucha, Maysoon Pachachi, Salem Brahimi, Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, Mohamed Hefzy, George David, Hafiz Al Ali and Paul Baboudjian attend the Arab Film Institute press conference during day five of the 13th annual Dubai International Film Festival held at the Madinat Jumeriah Complex on December 11, 2016 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for DIFF)

The first ever Arab Film Institute (AFI) was launched during the Dubai International Film Festival. Headquartered in Dubai, the non-profit cultural association will provide a platform where Arab films’ past, present and future is discussed, imagined and celebrated by those who contribute to the development of the industry. The new institute was announced during DIFF’s landmark 13^th year underlining the festival’s commitment to supporting the growth of the regional film industry today.

Designed to bring together the most promising and brightest of Arab filmmakers under one roof, the AFI will be a unique meeting point between the art, technique and commerce involved in a prosperous film industry through learning, advocacy and networking.

AFI will also promote a healthy eco-system of distribution and promotion to bolster the ever-growing regional film network and will work across the globe with international organizations to provide opportunities for Arab film globally.

Set to honor the work of the film community, its talent and its innovation are the annual Arab Film Awards, a key initiative from the new institute. The inaugural AFI Awards Ceremony will be held in March 2018 and includes honors for Best Film, Best Director, Best Producer, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenwriter, Best Director of Photography, Best Short Film, Best Student Film, Lifetime Achievement Award, and more.

Helping drive the goals of the new institute forward are an experienced and respected board, comprised of some of the regions most renowned filmmakers and supporters of the arts. The noteworthy board members include Al Zain Al Sabah – Undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Youth Affairs & Film Producer (Kuwait); Nabil Ayouch – Filmmaker and Producer (Morocco); Jawaheer Abdulla Al Qassimi – Director of Funn, Media Arts for Youth and Sharjah Children International Film Festival (UAE); Hafiz Ali Ali – Filmmaker and Producer (Qatar); Dora Bouchoucha – Producer (Tunisia); Salem Brahimi – Filmmaker and Producer (Algeria); George David – Managing Director of Royal Film Commission (Jordan); Mohamed Hefzy – Film Producer and scriptwriter (Egypt); Antoine Khalife – Director of Arab Film Programme at DIFF and Film Expert (Lebanon); Rashid Masharawi – Filmmaker and Producer (Palestine); and Maysoon Pachachi – Filmmaker (Iraq).

The Executive Director and Producer of AFI at DIFF, Paul Baboudjian, said, “Being a witness and active member of the bright and rich Arab film scene, I felt we needed to bring together all this energy and exchange experiences and ideas as well as offering wider opportunities in a fast-changing world to our film community.”