DUBAI: The Arab Cinema Center (ACC) is set to host a slate of events at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, which runs from Aug. 30-Sept. 9.  

In collaboration with Venice Production Bridge, the ACC will host two panel discussions and a networking session at the Italian film festival known for drawing Hollywood and international celebrities.  

The first panel discussion, titled “An Amazing Journey Among Film Commissions,” will be led by celebrity TV presenter Raya Abirached on Sept. 2 and will feature Managing Director of Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Wayne Borg, Managing Director of the Jordanian Royal Film Commission Mohannad Al-Bakri, Film Commissioner Arie Bohrer of Film in Austria and the National Film Commission, and CEO of Vertigo Films Jane Moore.  

Meanwhile, the second panel discussion — titled “The Golden Time for Arab Talents Regionally and Internationally” — will held on the same day and will be moderated by Co-Founder of MAD Solutions Alaa Karkouti. The panelists will include Borg, founder of Nomadis Images Dora Bouchoucha, Film Clinic founder Mohamed Hefzy, and director of development of film AlUla Roua Al-Madani.  

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Venice for the ninth year in a row. We strive to promote Arab cinema at some of the world's most prestigious international film festivals, be it through panel discussions, screenings, or any other activities. We are also pleased that Lebanese heartthrob Raya Abirached — one of the Arab world's most successful TV presenters — will lead one of our panel discussions," said co-founders of the ACC Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab in a released statement.  

Established by MAD Solutions in 2015, the ACC is a nonprofit organization registered in Berlin.  

Meanwhile, the Saudi Film Commission is also participating in festival, organized by La Biennale di Venezia. 

The participating Saudi delegation will be headed by Abdullah Al-Ayyaf CEO of the Film Commission, the government body affiliated with the Ministry of Culture. 

The commission will host a roundtable discussion at the event, hosting international experts to discuss the most critical challenges of distributing content in languages other than English to global audiences.