In front of a large audience and under the title “Big Bets, Big Audiences! The Rise of Commercial Arab Productions,” MBC STUDIOS, in collaboration with the Arab Cinema Center and the Marché du Film, hosted a panel discussing the reasons behind Arab cinema’s rise on the global stage. The discussion highlighted the new stage of maturity that commercial Arab productions are experiencing during the 79th edition of the Cannes Film Festival.

During the panel, held on Thursday May 14, and moderated by Ali Jaafar, Head of Films and Global Series at MBC STUDIOS, actor Dhafer L'Abidine spoke about how Arab films succeed in reaching foreign audiences despite cultural differences. He explained that a film like Sophia succeeded because it tells a story that resonates emotionally with viewers. L’Abidine said: “It makes sense to me. It’s a story about a family and what they go through with their children. That’s what matters, because I connected with it emotionally, and anyone on this planet can connect with it emotionally. I believe that’s the most important thing.” He continued: “The audience must feel the sincerity of the film through its emotions. It’s not about selling; it’s about creating something beautiful and meaningful and then building from there.”

Regarding whether Arab films can replicate massive box-office successes like Bad Boys 4, L’Abidine added: “I think it comes down to the story. Bad Boys 4 talks about a specific culture and was presented really well in terms of writing, character connections, and spectacular cinematic presentation. All these components were delivered in the right and ideal way, coming from the right place for that film. That translates into success because audiences can engage with it and see that something was made very well and sincerely.”

Saudi Director, writer and producer, Hana Al Omair, confirmed that challenges still face the Saudi film industry: “There are logistical challenges, challenges with acting, and many things you have to take into account during filming. The good thing is that the story is there in front of me, and it’s a story I want to tell no matter what. I fight until the very end to make that happen.”

On the increasing scale of budgets for Arab films recently, Samar Akrouk explained that things have changed compared to before: “I feel that large-scale film productions have been making headlines, and I understand that because big budgets lead to big ambitions, and of course, big expectations.” She continued: “Things have changed at MBC STUDIOS because we are in a better place today than before, and the conversation has become more mature. It’s not about substantial budgets; it’s about the right budget.”

Discussing changing viewing habits among Arab audiences, Tarek Al Ibrahim, Director of MBC1, MBC DRAMA and MBC Shahid Content said: “What’s happening now with audiences in the Arab region is exactly what’s happening around the world. People have started looking for content on digital platforms — as is the case with MBC Shahid — and they are searching for high-quality productions, along with strong storytelling. Audiences of all types are always looking for suitable content and for diversity that caters to all kinds of viewers.”
 
The panel moderated by Ali Jaafar (Head of Films & Global Series at MBC STUDIOS) featured:
·        Samar Akrouk, Managing Director of MBC STUDIOS and Group Director of production at MBC GROUP
 
·        Tarek Al Ibrahim - Director of MBC1, MBC DRAMA and MBC Shahid Content
·        Hana Al Omair – Saudi writer, director and producer
·        Mohamed Hefzy, producer and co-founder of Film Clinic
·        Dhafer L'Abidine, actor, writer, and director.
 
About Marché du Film
The Marché du Film, the business hub of the Festival de Cannes, is the world’s largest international gathering of film professionals. As a key step in the development, production, and distribution of films globally, the market brings together over 12,500 professionals (including producers, distributors, festival representatives, film institutions, buyers, and financiers) from more than 120 countries to exchange ideas, projects, and strike deals in a unique environment.
Website: www.marchedufilm.com
 
About Arab Cinema Center
Founded by MAD Solutions in 2015, the Arab Cinema Center (ACC) is a non-profit international platform promoting Arab cinema. Registered in Berlin, the ACC provides its partner companies with a tangible presence at all major film festivals and markets, organizes industry events, and publishes special editions of the Arab Cinema Magazine.
Website: http://acc.film/
 
About MBC STUDIOS
MBC STUDIOS is a leading global production powerhouse, born to realise the unrivalled and untapped storytelling potential of the Middle East region.
 
With a rising demand for original Arabic content produced to international standards in the MENA region, MBC STUDIOS is tapping into this underdeveloped market by conceptualising and producing the most compelling stories for cinema, television, and on-demand platforms.
MBC STUDIOS also serves as a prominent hub for international productions seeking to film in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the surrounding region. Offering comprehensive support and resources to facilitate seamless and successful filming experiences, MBC STUDIOS is facilitating and enabling global production houses to capture the unique essence and beauty of this remarkable region.
 
Through its extensive network and expertise, MBC STUDIOS strives to foster a thriving environment for international collaborations.
 
What’s more, MBC STUDIOS continues to invest in Saudi talent and infrastructure, to encourage local investment in the region through creating employment opportunities and honing young Saudi talent throughout different stages of the production process.
Website: www.mbc.net
For press inquiries, please contact:
Sasha Gemayel, Sr. Group PR Manager & Corporate Communication, MBC GROUP
Sasha.gemayel@mbc.net