AFAC Cinema Program

Overview

The AFAC Cinema Program provides grants to Arab directors working on fiction and experimental feature 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. The Cinema program specifically supports scripted and experimental cinema -- as distinct from documentary, which has its own dedicated AFAC program -- recognizing fiction filmmaking as a distinct cultural practice that requires separate institutional support.

AFAC-supported cinema projects have gone on to premiere at major international festivals including Cannes, Venice, and Berlin, giving the Cinema Program a track record as one of the most credible sources of validation for Arab fiction filmmaking on the international stage.

What It Funds

The Cinema Program funds Arab fiction and experimental feature films at the development and production stages. Development grants support scriptwriting, research, and early project preparation. Production grants support principal photography and key production costs.

Both individual directors and production companies registered in Arab countries are eligible. Applications are submitted in English, French, or Arabic. Grant amounts vary by cycle and project scope, typically in the range of $10,000 to $30,000 per project.

The program is explicitly for scripted and experimental approaches -- films that are primarily observational, journalistic, or nonfiction in character should apply to the AFAC Documentary Film Program rather than the Cinema Program.

Eligibility

Applicants must be Arab citizens or citizens of Arab-speaking countries as defined by AFAC's eligibility criteria. The Cinema program is open to both individual directors and cultural organizations. The program runs on an annual open-call cycle with its own distinct deadline, separate from the Documentary and Performing Arts programs.

Filmmakers should consult the AFAC website carefully for current open programs, as not all nine AFAC programs run simultaneously.

Who Should Apply

Arab fiction and experimental filmmakers developing or producing feature-length work with genuine 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 that reflects an Arab rather than exclusively European or North American cultural framework.

See Also

For the AFAC Documentary Film Program supporting Arab nonfiction filmmakers, see the AFAC Documentary Program directory entry. For understanding how international co-production and distribution works for Arab films, see Distribution Deals: What Filmmakers Need to Know.