Within its extensive activities at international film festivals and markets in 2016, Arab Cinema Center
(ACC) has announced that it will be presenting a special award at the 4th Cairo Film Connection (CFC) held on the sidelines of the 2016's Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF). The ACC Award offers a place for the winning film project's producer to attend the Rotterdam Lab at the 46th International Film Festival Rotterdam - IFFR, Netherlands (25 January - 5 February, 2017).

Organized by the Cine Mart, the Rotterdam Lab is a five-day training workshop for promising emerging producers from all over the world. The aim of Rotterdam Lab is to provide emerging professionals with the means to build and develop an international network. Providing confidence and skills to navigate the world of international film financing, sales and distribution, Rotterdam Lab offers a place to over 60 producers from over 24 countries.

In addition to the Arab Cinema Center (ACC) Award, CFC offers monetary prizes for the film projects in development and production phases including; the First Prize ($ 10,000) for a film in development or production phases, granted by New Century; the Best Egyptian Film Project Prize (EGP 60,000) that is granted by Al Massa Art Production; and the Color Grading Prize For a Film in Post-production Phase
granted by Film Factory and will be made at Aroma,.

The Cairo Film Connection (CFC) hosts filmmakers from all over the world, who have a project with an Arab connection (director, producer, co-producer, main talent, location, subject matter, etc...). Producers and directors with feature-length projects and feature-length creative documentaries either at the development or post-production phase are encouraged to apply.

CFC is hosting representatives of 12 projects in development and production phases to be part of the three-day course in Cairo to communicate with cinema industry delegates, local and international producers and distributors.

The Connection aims at opening opportunities for talented filmmakers to meet and network with other entities that may be potential project partners. In addition, several cash prizes are offered to help the projects throughout their development and completion.

The first Cairo Film Connection (CFC) was first launched in 2010, during the 34th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) and proved to be a rewarding experience for its participants. In 2012, the 2nd CFC was held, and then the 3rd CFC took place in 2015 hosting a higher number of successful meetings between filmmakers and industry delegates. It is affirming to see that many of the filmmakers who were invited to attend the three previous editions of the Cairo Film Connection (CFC) went on to complete their films achieving various successes all over the world. The Connection will continue to be a platform that empowers Arab filmmakers to take their projects to the next level.

About Arab Cinema Center (ACC)

Organized by MAD Solutions, Arab Cinema Center (ACC) opened 2016 with intensive activities at the 45th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), followed by the 66th Berlinale, Doha Film Institute's Qumra, the Center's first Arab stop since its launch in 2015, in addition to the Silk Road Film Festival in Ireland, and Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART), the 69th Cannes Film Festival, the 69th Locarno Film Festival, the 73rd Venice International Film Festival, the 41st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the 2nd Film and Television Careers Connection (FTCC)in Amman, Jordan,and most recently,the 6th Malmö Arab Film Festival (MAFF).

During the 2016's Cannes Film Festival, the Center launched the first issue of the Arab Cinema Magazine, the first English-language Arab publication entirely dedicated to international cinema, which will accompany the Center to shed light on the Arab film industry and the latest up and coming talents. The second issue of the Arab Cinema Magazine has been released at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival.

Arab Cinema Center (ACC) is operating as an international promotional platform for Arab cinema as it provides Arab filmmakers with a professional window to connect with filmmakers from all over the world through a number of events that it organizes and provides networking opportunities with representatives of companies and institutions specialized in co-production and international distribution, among others.

In the beginning of this year, ACC revealed its year-round partnership with Variety magazine as the Center's media partner; in addition to a digital partnership with Festival Scope and a technology sponsorship with Striim.in to promote ACC's events in 2016. Recently, the Center has also gained a new sponsor, .film, which provides domain name space for the film industry with the aim to fight copy-cat and piracy sites.

The Center's activities vary between film market main wings, introduction and networking sessions for 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.