ACC presents its annual Achievement Award For Film Critics 2024

The Arab Cinema Center (ACC) has announced the two recipients of this year’s Achievement Award for Film Critics. They are: Lebanese critic Nadim Jarjoura and British critic Peter Bradshaw, both in recognition of their outstanding professional careers.

These two much lauded critics are scheduled to receive their awards during a ceremony held at Cannes’ Marche Du Film during the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival — set to take place in France from May 14th to May 25th — with both critics contributing an article each to the 22nd issue of the Arab Cinema Magazine, published by the ACC.

Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab, co-founders of the ACC, explained that both awards are part of their continuing goal to highlight the field of film criticism, honoring those who champion and illuminate Arab cinema, and film appreciation in general, through their writing and advocacy work. The ACC’s annual Critics Awards for Arab Films not only corrals more than 200 film critics from around the world to select the the greatest achievements in Arab filmmaking, it also uses the occasion to celebrate the film critics themselves.

“The ACC presents this year’s Achievement Award for Film Critics to two of the most prominent critics in the world of Arab and international cinema: Nadim Jarjoura and Peter Bradshaw, both of whom stand out for their influential critiques and compellingly lucid writing. Arab cinema has benefited from their joyous appreciation of filmmaking and the way both continue to elevate the craft of film criticism in the face of social media triviality.”

In a statement, Bradshaw accepted the award saying, “I am beyond thrilled and delighted to accept this award. For me, criticism is an act of intellectual and emotional engagement, an act of commitment, and an act of love. So to be recognized as a critic by the Arab Cinema Center is a wonderful thing.”

Meanwhile, Nadim commented, “A recognition granted to an Arab film critic by a cinema center primarily focused on Arab cinema indicates the significance and importance of film criticism in a center that prioritizes — among several other aspects — one of the key facets of the film industry… I am certainly honored by the recognition, and I am pleased that it comes from the Arab Cinema Center specifically; an organization I have so many shared interests with.”

About Peter Bradshaw

Peter Bradshaw has been the chief film critic of The Guardian in London since 1999; a position that firmly placed him at the center of the British film industry, documenting and influencing the discourse surrounding it with his weekly poignant and in-depth commentary. As a testament to his influence on the film critiquing scene, Bradshaw is regularly invited to grace the carpets of the Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Edinburgh, London, Rotterdam, Lisbon, Rio, and Donostia San Sebastian international film festivals.

Born in the English village of Letchmore Heath, just a half-hour’s drive from London, Bradshaw went to school in Elstree; very close to Elstree Studios, where THE SHINING, STAR WARS, and many other films were being made while he was growing up. From there he went to Cambridge University, where he studied English Literature (film studies were not on offer at Cambridge in those days, and surprisingly not on offer now either!) before supplementing his degree with further studies at the Arts Cinema, where he busied himself with the great works of Tati, Coppola, Scorsese, Bergman, and Ozu.

After graduating with an MA and a PhD in literature, he went to work as a columnist for the London Evening Standard and then as chief film critic for The Guardian. Since then, he has published a collection of his critical essays and reviews, THE FILMS THAT MADE ME (2019), along with three novels — LUCKY BABY JESUS (1999), DR. SWEET AND HIS DAUGHTER (2003), and NIGHT OF TRIUMPH (2013) — and a collection of short fiction stories, THE BODY IN THE MOBILE LIBRARY & OTHER STORIES (2024). He also appears regularly on British TV and radio.

About Nadim Jarjoura

Nadim Jarjoura is a highly respected Lebanese journalist, author, and film critic currently working at the esteemed Arabic daily newspaper and website The New Arab. His insightful articles and in-depth studies have gained recognition and have been prominently featured in various distinguished Arab magazines across Lebanon, Kuwait, Oman, France, and Qatar.

Notably, Jarjoura has contributed as an esteemed author to several books focusing on Lebanese and Arab cinema, delving into their cultural significance and impact. His expertise extends beyond the written word, as he has actively participated in the field of cinema through various engagements and events.

In 2018, Jarjoura took part in a symposium on Lebanese cinema at the Guanajuato International Film Festival in Mexico, showcasing his deep knowledge and understanding of the subject. He also chaired the short film competition jury at the Jerusalem Arab Film Festival, showcasing his discerning eye and expertise in evaluating cinematic works.

Furthermore, his involvement in the 2019 Human Rights Film Festival in Amman, Jordan, as a member of the Feature Film Competition’s jury demonstrates his commitment to promoting cinema that addresses important social and humanitarian issues.

Jarjoura’s contributions extend beyond regional boundaries as well. In 2011, he served as a member of the International Critics Association’s (FIPRESCI) jury for Arab Documentary Films at the prestigious Dubai International Film Festival, further solidifying his international standing in the field.

With his extensive experience, profound knowledge, and passion for cinema, Jarjoura continues to make significant contributions to the world of film criticism and analysis, leaving an indelible mark on the Lebanese and Arab film industry.

About the Arab Cinema Center

The Arab Cinema Center (ACC) aims to emphasize the significance of film criticism through its presentation of the Achievement Award for Film Critics, bestowed annually at the Cannes Film Festival to both Arab and foreign critics. Past recipients of this accolade from the ACC include the late Egyptian critic Youssef Cherif Rizkallah, Lebanese critics Ibrahim Al Ariss and Mohammed Rouda, and American critics Deborah Young and Sydney Levine.

Organized by MAD Solutions in 2015, the Arab Cinema Center (ACC) is a nonprofit organization registered in Amsterdam. The ACC is an international promotional platform for Arab cinema as it provides the filmmaking industry with a professional window to connect with their counterparts from all over the world through a number of events that it organizes.

The ACC also provides networking opportunities with representatives of companies and institutions specialized in co-production and international distribution, among others. The ACC’s activities vary between film markets, stands, and pavilions, networking sessions, and one-on-one meetings bringing together Arab and foreign filmmakers, welcome parties, as well as meetings with international organizations and festivals, and the issuance of the Arab Cinema Magazine to be distributed at the leading international film festivals and markets.

Furthermore, a newsletter subscription is now available on the ACC’s website, allowing users to obtain digital copies of the Arab Cinema Magazine, as well as news on the ACC’s activities, notifications of application dates for grants, festivals, and offers from educational and training institutions, updates on Arab films participating at festivals, exclusive news on the Arab Cinema LAB, and highlights from the ACC’s partners and their future projects.

The ACC also launched an English-language Arab Cinema Guide, available on its website, which is a comprehensive cinematic guide that comprises a variety of tools presented collectively for the first time to offer information on Arab cinema to filmmakers inside and outside of the Arab world. It also aims to facilitate filmmakers’ access to international markets and help film industry representatives to identify Arab film productions easily.