ACC holds 2 dynamic panels on MENA box-office insights and Saudi film industry growth during 74th Berlinale’s European Film Market  

The Arab Cinema Center (ACC) — a non-profit organization based in Berlin focused on creating networking opportunities between Arab filmmakers and their counterparts around the globe — held two widely successful panels as part of the activities of the 74th Berlin International Film Festival’s (Berlinale) European Film Market, drawing a vibrant turnout from both international and Arab filmmakers.

The first panel, titled ‘Box-Office Bonanza,’ addressed the MENA region’s box-office revenues, edging close to the remarkable milestone of $1b. With astounding figures emerging notably from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the discussion probed into the region’s achievements, comparing them to other global markets, and explored whether they have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. Moreover, it scrutinized the future trajectory of the cinema exhibition industry in the wake of the skyrocketing popularity of streaming services, both regionally and internationally.

The first panel, which was moderated by Deadline’s chief international film correspondent Melanie Goodfellow, boasted several distinguished figures from the global film industry including General Manager of Media Industries at NEOM Wayne Borg, CEO of Front Row Entertainment Gianluca Chakra, CEO of Empire International Mario Haddad Jr., along with CEO of MAD Solutions Alaa Karkouti.

The second panel, titled ‘International Tipping Point for Saudi Filmmaking’, covered how far the Saudi film industry has developed since its inception 12 years ago, with Saudi films becoming a permanent yearly fixture in the global festival circuit, and the country’s noticeable boom in cinema and filmmaking infrastructure, ranging from the establishment of prominent theater chains to the creation of NEOM. It shed light on how Saudi Arabia will eventually fit into the global film landscape as a production partner, especially given its hosting of 35 productions over the last two years.

The panel was moderated by international news editor at Screen International Michael Rosser and featured Borg, Managing Director of the Jordanian Royal Film Commission Mohannad Al-Bakri, producers Doroth Beinemeier and Mariam Sassine, and Director of the Red Sea Film Fund Imad Iskandar as speakers.

Aside from the panels, the ACC has had a busy Berlinale so far, releasing a new edition of AC Magazine, crowning Al-Bakri as its Arab Personality of 2023, and announcing the latest critics to join the extensive jury of its Arab Critics’ Awards.