The Arab Cinema Center has published its annual list of the most influential figures in the Arab cinema industry.
The Arab Cinema Center has unveiled this year’s "Golden 101," its annual list of the 101 most influential figures in Arab cinema, in the 22nd edition of Arab Cinema Magazine. This edition is being circulated at the 77th Cannes Film Festival and can be accessed on the Marché du Film website.
Celebrating individuals and institutions who have made the most significant impact on the Arab film industry over the past twelve months, this year’s Golden 101 comprises 13 directors, 16 producers, 14 actors, five crew members, 18 distributors from 12 institutions, 12 executives from 10 governmental cinema institutions, 11 executives from seven video-on-demand platforms, 11 representatives from seven festivals, and seven executives from film financing institutions.
Commenting on this year’s Golden 101 list, Colin Brown, MAD Solutions’ Managing Partner for International Operations, said, “These are the artists, artisans, and power brokers who have distinguished themselves this past year - and the rest of the world should pay attention to them if they have any interest in capitalizing on the world’s fastest-growing entertainment region, the Middle East and North Africa.”
As always, Egypt is well represented on the list with actors Yousra, Mona Zaki, and Ahmed Malek, alongside filmmakers Hani Khalifa, Morad Mostafa, and Peter Mimi, as well as producers Mohamed Hefzy, Shahinaz El Akkad, and Sawsan Youssef. Also from Egypt are music composer Khaled Al Kammar, editor Ahmed Hafez, and cinematographer Mostafa El Kashef, along with CEO of United Media Services Ashraf Salman, and Chairwoman and Managing Director of WATCH IT Nashwa Gad El Hak.
From Lebanon, the list includes: media personality Raya Abi Rached; Founder and CEO of Abbout Productions Georges Schoucair; Founder and Director of COCOON FILMS Sawsan Asfari; CEO of OSN Joe Kawkabani; Vice President of Content and Strategic Partnerships at STARZ PLAY Tony Saab; Co-Founder and Managing Director of Metropolis Cinema Hania Mroué; Director of the Beirut Cinema Platform Jad Abi Khalil; Director of Arab Programs at the Red Sea International Film Festival Antoine Khalife; Executive Director of the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture Rima Mismar; CEO of Empire International Mario Haddad; Head of Distribution at Empire International Mario Haddad Jr.; Founder and CEO of Front Row Gianluca Chakra; CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas and Entertainment Agnes Lahoud; General Manager of VOX Cinemas Tony Moussal; Founder and CEO of City Cinemas Hamad Attassi; and Chairman of the Board of the Salim Rammia Company, Salim Rammia.
There is a strong showing too for Saudi Arabia, including director Abdulelah Alqurashi; actress Summer Shesha; CEO of MBC Studios Zainab Abu Alsamh; Chairman of the Board of TV 11 Alaa Yousef Fadhan; Owner and Chairman of MBC Group Sheikh Waleed Al Ibrahim; General Manager of Arab Radio and Television Network Hadeel Kamel; Rotana owner, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal; producer and CEO of the Red Sea International Film Festival Foundation Mohammed Alturki; Director of the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture Abdullah Al Rashid; Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority Turki Al Sheikh; CEO of the Saudi Film Commission Abdullah Al Qahtani; producer and CEO of Muvi Studios Faisal Baltyour; and Founder and CEO of Muvi Cinema, Sultan Al Hokair.
From the UAE we have: CEO and Founding Partner of Starzplay, Maaz Sheikh; Founder and Director of Cinema Akil Buthaina Kazim; Majid Al Suwaidi, General Manager of Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, and Dubai Production City; and Chairman of the Board of Image Nation, Mohammed Al Mubarak.
From Jordan are: director Amjad Al Rasheed; music composer Suad Bashnaq; producer Rula Nasser; Director of the Amman International Film Festival Nada Doumani; Chairman of the Royal Film Commission - Jordan (RFC) Prince Ali bin Al Hussein; Executive Commissioner at the RFC, Princess Reem Ali; Director of the RFC Mohannad Al Bakri; and CEO of Arab Media Corp., Tareq Abu Lughod.
Representing Tunisia are: actors Hend Sabry, Adam Bessa, and Majd Mastoura; director Kaouther Ben Hania; composer Amin Bouhafa; and producers Dora Bouchoucha and Habib Attia.
From Morocco are: director Asmae El Moudir; director and producer Khalil Benkirane; and Director of the Moroccan Cinematheque, Abdelaziz Al Bouzdaini.
Meanwhile, Palestinian representatives include: directors Lina Soualem and Farah Nabulsi; stars Saleh Bakri, Hayam Abbas, and Tara Abboud; Founder and Director of Film Lab Palestine, Hanna Atallah; and Executive Director at Film Lab Palestine, Ola Salama.
Kuwait is represented by: Chairwoman of OSN, Sheikha Dana Nasser Al-Sabah; CEO of Cinescape, Hisham Al-Ghanim.
And finally, Qatar completes the list of MENA countries with a Golden 101 presence this year, as represented by Executive Director of the Doha Film Institute, Fatima Al Remaihi; and by CEO of Metavora Productions, Muayad Abbas Deeb.
About the Arab Cinema Center (ACC)
Created by MAD Solutions in 2015, the Arab Cinema Center (ACC) is a nonprofit organization registered in Berlin that serves as a global promotional and networking platform for Arab cinema, connecting Arab film professionals with their counterparts from all over the world.
Visible at major film markets and festivals around the world, the ACC hosts one-on-one meetings, organizes panel discussions and seminars, and publishes regular print editions of its English-language Arab Cinema Magazine, which offers data and insights on the Arab cinema industry.
The ACC's website, which carries an online version of Arab Cinema Magazine, also provides 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, developments at the Arab Cinema LAB, and highlights from the ACC's partners and their future projects.