The Arab Cinema Center (ACC) has unveiled the 2025 edition of its prestigious Golden 101 list, a curated collection of the most influential individuals and institutions shaping Arab cinema over the past year.
Modelled after Cannes’ Palme d’Or in ambition, but rooted in regional pride, this year’s Golden 101 reflects not only the breadth of Arab talent but also the geopolitical and cultural forces reshaping media across the MENA region
Egypt Reclaims the Crown: 41 Names Signal Cinematic Renaissance
Leading the pack is Egypt, with 41 entries that span the spectrum of influence—from acting giants like Youssra, Hussein Fahmy, and Ahmed Ezz to behind-the-scenes powerhouses like Mohamed Hefzy (Film Clinic), Hany Naguib and Ahmed Fahmy (Sea Cinema), and Tamer Morsy (Synergy Films).
“Egypt’s resurgence in cinema is no accident,” said Dr. Ayman Mandour, professor of media policy at Cairo University. “This is a result of targeted investment, institutional collaboration, and a return to purpose-driven storytelling that resonates across the Arab world.”
From the studios of Gouna to Cairo Industry Days, Egypt’s cinematic infrastructure—combined with its political clout and heritage—has helped secure its place as a cultural epicenter for Arab-language content production
Lebanon and Saudi Arabia Rise as Cinematic Power Brokers
Second on the list is Lebanon, with 20 names including media icon Raya Abirached, producer George Schoucair (Abbout Productions), and leading festival programmers like Antoine Khalife (Red Sea IFF) and Rema Mismar (AFAC). Lebanon continues to dominate as the region’s creative incubator, exporting talent and shaping independent film narratives across borders.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, with 16 entries, asserts its place as a strategic investor and enabler of Arab film infrastructure. Industry players like Faisal Baltyour (CineWaves), Jumana Al-Rashid (Red Sea Foundation), and Turki Al Al-Sheikh (General Entertainment Authority) reflect Riyadh’s soft power strategy to position the Kingdom as both a financier and exhibitor of Arab storytelling.
MEO sources within the Red Sea Foundation confirmed that Saudi Arabia is finalizing two new regional co-productions, including a major pan-Arab streaming series in partnership with Egypt and Jordan—expected to be announced at Cannes 2025.
The Arab Diaspora and Transnational Influence
While the list centers on Arab countries, it notably includes influential contributors from Europe, the U.S., and South Africa—a nod to the growing global diaspora networks shaping Arab narratives.
Names like Adon Quinn (U.S./IEFTA), Remi Bonhomme (France/Venice), and Colin Brown (UK/MAD Solutions) reflect how Arab cinema is now a transnational conversation—with support systems, funding bodies, and creative collaboration flowing across continents.
“The 2025 list reaffirms that Arab cinema is no longer geographically confined. It’s a global discourse with local roots,” said Alaa Karkouti, co-founder of MAD Solutions and a recurring name on the list.
Palestine, Jordan, Tunisia: Punching Above Their Weight
Countries with smaller film industries made disproportionately strong showings. Palestine, with 12 entries, reflects its resilient cinematic voice, embodied by filmmakers like Mohamed Qablawi, Mahdi Fleifel, and Maha Haj—who continue to document identity, resistance, and exile through powerful independent films.
Jordan, with 10 figures including Amjad Al Rasheed and Princess Rym Ali, is emerging as a production and co-production powerhouse, especially with the support of institutions like RFC (Royal Film Commission) and the Amman International Film Festival.
Tunisia’s nine entries—led by Hend Sabri and Dhafer L’Abidine—underscore its historical role as a hotbed of auteur cinema and political storytelling
What the Golden 101 Reveals About the Future
From May 2024 to April 2025, the Golden 101 honorees have either made films, closed cross-border production deals, mentored emerging talent, or hosted major regional events.
This list reveals a multi-polar Arab cinema ecosystem: where Egypt leads in scale, Saudi Arabia fuels investment, Lebanon ignites creativity, and smaller nations shape powerful stories of identity and justice. Meanwhile, Arab diaspora and allies worldwide are crucial to the distribution and legitimacy of these narratives.
Sources at the Arab Cinema Center confirm plans for a ‘Golden Academy’ initiative, launching in late 2025, aimed at nurturing cross-border collaboration among Arab filmmakers under 35. The program is expected to be co-financed by Gulf-based media entities and Egyptian production houses.
The 2025 Golden 101 is more than a list—it’s a snapshot of an Arab film industry in cultural ascent, increasingly global, proudly local, and more interconnected than ever.
As political and streaming realignments shift the content landscape, Arab storytellers are no longer asking for permission—they’re building institutions, funding their visions, and telling the region’s story on their own terms.
