AFAC Cinema Program

Overview

The AFAC Cinema Program provides grants to Arab directors working on fiction and experimental films. It is one of nine open-call programs administered by the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC), the pan-Arab nonprofit established in 2007 to build independent arts funding infrastructure across the Arab world. AFAC is based in Beirut, Lebanon, and has grown into the most comprehensive funder of independent arts and culture in the Arab region, with 11 active programs as of 2025.

The Cinema program supports both feature-length and short/medium-length fiction films. For feature-length projects, grants are available at the development, production, and post-production stages. For short and medium-length films, grants are available for production and post-production only, and the director must not have previously made a feature film.

Grant amounts are substantial:

The 2026 application deadline is June 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM Beirut time (+3 GMT). The Cinema program is part of AFAC's second open call, which also includes Music, Documentary Photography, and Training and Regional Events grants. Each applicant can submit only one application per open call.

What It Funds

The Cinema Program funds Arab fiction and experimental films at three stages:

• Development grants ($10,000 max for features): Scriptwriting, research, and early project preparation
• Production grants ($50,000 max for features, $20,000 max for shorts): Principal photography and key production costs
• Post-production grants ($25,000 max for features, $10,000 max for shorts): Editing, sound, color, and delivery

Applicants must choose one stage of support. AFAC does not fund multiple stages simultaneously. If a grantee has received two grants for the same film project, they cannot apply for post-production.

The program is explicitly for scripted and experimental fiction approaches. Films that are primarily observational, journalistic, or nonfiction should apply to the AFAC Documentary Film Program instead. For multidisciplinary projects, applicants should choose the program based on the final output of the project.

Payment Structure

AFAC disburses grants in installments tied to project milestones:

Development grants: 70% on signature of the grant agreement, 30% on submission and approval of final narrative and financial reports.

Production grants: 25% on signature, 60% after expenditure of at least 80% of the first transfer and approval of interim reports, 15% on approval of final reports.

Post-production grants: 50% on signature, 50% on approval of final reports.

Projects must be completed within a maximum of two years from the signature of the grant agreement. Extensions must be requested and approved in writing.

Eligibility

The Cinema grant program is open to:

• Arab directors and producers living in the Arab region or the diaspora
• A non-Arab producer can apply if the film director is Arab
• Both individual directors and cultural organizations are eligible
• Applications accepted irrespective of age, years of experience, country of residence, ethnicity, gender, or religion
• Applications can be submitted in Arabic, English, or French

A film producer may apply with a maximum of two projects per category per cycle, provided the two projects are not attached to the same director.

Ineligible candidates include:

• Members of the AFAC board of trustees, their business partners, or family members
• AFAC staff members, their business partners, or family members
• Members of the current year's reader and juror committees
• Applicants with a current open grant from AFAC
• A director who already has an open grant from AFAC (regardless of whether the contract is in their name or the producer's name)
• Recipients of grants in two consecutive years (must wait two years before reapplying)

2025 Cycle Results

In 2025, AFAC's Cinema program funded 25 projects across feature-length and short films. Two separate jury committees evaluated submissions: one for shorts and one for features. The 2025 jury noted a strong diversity of theme and style, with projects breaking from familiar molds to address social and political realities through unconventional approaches, including science fiction, thriller, fantasy, and horror genres that are uncommon in Arab cinema.

AFAC-supported cinema projects have premiered at major international festivals including Cannes, Venice, and Berlin, making the Cinema Program one of the most credible sources of institutional validation for Arab fiction filmmaking.

Application Process

Applications are only accepted through AFAC's online forms. Submissions via regular mail or email are not considered. Applicants receive a confirmation email upon successful submission. AFAC recommends submitting 24 hours before the deadline to allow time for any technical issues.

AFAC's grants management team reviews all received applications for completeness and eligibility. Applications that do not meet eligibility criteria or are missing required materials are disqualified. Incomplete applications are not considered.

For the 2026 cycle, the deadline is June 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM +3 GMT (Beirut time). Check the AFAC Cinema Program page for the most current information.

Who Should Apply

Arab fiction and experimental filmmakers developing or producing feature-length or short work with artistic ambition and a perspective rooted in Arab cultural experience. The Cinema Program is particularly relevant for directors whose work sits outside commercial entertainment models and who want institutional backing from within the Arab cultural ecosystem rather than exclusively from European or North American funders.

Filmmakers applying for production or post-production grants should have a producer attached to the project. AFAC highly recommends this for production and post-production applications.

See Also

For the AFAC Documentary Film Program supporting Arab nonfiction filmmakers, see the AFAC Documentary Program directory entry. For the AFAC Performing Arts Program supporting Arab theater and dance, see the AFAC Performing Arts Program directory entry. For understanding how international co-production and distribution works for Arab films, see Distribution Deals: What Filmmakers Need to Know. Use the Indie Film Budget Calculator to model how a $50,000 AFAC production grant fits into your overall budget.