CANNES — Raghda Safwat
In a packed session at the Marché du Film, prominent MENA creators and industry leaders gathered to dissect the shifting dynamics of regional cinema, highlighting how cross-border partnerships are expanding financial horizons while anchoring narrative independence.
The panel, titled “Scaling Stories: Co-Productions Driving Commercial Growth in the Region” and organized by the Arab Cinema Center, moved past the traditional view of co-productions as mere financial tools, framing them instead as essential creative alliances that redefine how Arab stories reach global markets.
Dhafer L’Abidine on Creative Alignment and Artistic Vision
A central theme of the discussion was preserving the artistic core of a project when multiple international partners are involved. Acclaimed actor, writer, director, and producer Dhafer L’Abidine emphasized that creative alignment between stakeholders far outweighs the size of a production budget.
According to L’Abidine, a co-production must strictly champion the creator’s original vision to produce authentic, enduring stories that connect with local audiences long after their international festival runs.
The speakers collectively addressed the ongoing challenge of maintaining narrative control, particularly when Western partners hesitate to back war and conflict-related narratives. Panelists argued that Arab filmmakers possess a profound repository of these lived experiences, which must be told authentically as a means of collective healing.
Mobilizing Private Equity and Regional Funds
The panel, moderated by Michael Rosser (Asia & Middle East Editor at Screen International), featured a diverse lineup of industry experts including producer Myriam Sassine, Iraqi Film Fund Executive Director Wareth Kareem, IEFTA Founder Marco Orsini, and Clandestino Films Founder Wissam Smayra.
Exploring the economic mechanics of modern cinema, Orsini and Smayra advocated for a stronger integration of private equity into the traditional co-production model. Orsini noted that diversifying funding sources grants filmmakers greater creative freedom, allowing them to choose their collaborators and build a self-sustaining, formidable film industry directly within the MENA region.
Sassine shared her approach to international collaboration, advising filmmakers to look beyond traditional European markets toward untapped opportunities in Latin America and Asia. She praised the growth of integrated Arab entities like MAD Solutions for effectively bridging gaps across distribution, sales, and financing.
Driving Intra-Arab Solidarity
The discussion also highlighted a surging momentum for domestic and intra-Arab support systems. Kareem pointed to the newly launched Iraqi Film Fund, which received over 400 project submissions in its first cycle, as clear evidence of a thriving creative hunger.
“Thanks to organizations like the Arab Cinema Center and MAD Solutions, Iraqi cinema is being thrust into the spotlight,” Kareem stated, adding that Arab filmmakers are increasingly collaborating with one another to ensure their stories are told on their own terms.
Published By :
May 18, 2026.
