Given the recent new wave of Arab cinema, bolstered by co-productions and initiatives around the world, particularly in film festivals, this panel aims to examine the recent wave of Arab films in international film festivals through the lens of a pan-Arab renaissance. Recent co-production initiatives, transnational talent development and pan-Arab distribution, in particular, are defying national borders and are reinvigorating and redefining preconceived notions of what constitutes Arab cinema.

Moderator: Karam Masri, Filmmaker, TAF Co-founder & Artistic Director
Speakers:

• Christina Piovesan, Producer & President of First Generation Films
• Dr. Walid El Kachab, Associate Professor, Arabic Studies, York University
• Viviane Saglier, Post Doctoral Fellow, Department of Anthropology and Institute for the Study of International Development (ISID), McGill University 

Full panel here.

As the world of filmmaking increasingly moves towards international co-productions, aided by a plethora of start up initiatives aimed towards emerging talent, this panel will demystify the process of feature filmmaking for emerging directors, writers and producers. Particularly aimed at filmmakers who are trying to make the transition from short films into feature filmmaking, topics of discussion will include: opportunities available to emerging Arab filmmakers, international co-production initiatives, and how to find and work with producers. 

Moderator: Rolla Tahir, Filmmaker, TAF Co-founder & Artistic Director
Speakers:

• Darine Hotait, Film Director
• Ahmad Magdy, Filmmaker, Actor
• Dina Emam, Film Producer 
• Karam Masri, Film Consultant ​

Full speaker bios here.

Full panel here.