Oscar-winning Palestinian director freed from Israeli detention after night in custody Hamdan Ballal, a co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary "No Other Land," was assaulted by Israeli settlers and later detained by Israeli forces in the West Bank as the Israeli army continues its raids in the Palestinian territory. Palestine
Palestinian-Israeli documentary, Iranian film win at Oscars: What to know Two films from the Middle East won Oscars at Sunday's Academy Awards, highlighting the growing reputation of the region's film industry at a time of ongoing tensions and crises. Palestine
Lebanon's resistance through culture: Return of Beirut’s Metropolis Cinema As Beirut continues to navigate its path toward recovery, Metropolis Cinema stands as a symbol of the enduring power of art and culture to resist, unite and inspire. Lebanon
Analysis How Saudiwood’s power play is reshaping Middle East film industry While the country's first entry at Cannes didn’t win, its inclusion in the festival was another step toward Saudi ambitions to become a film industry powerhouse. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Aspiring filmmaker brings visual tricks to Gazans With basic equipment, aspiring filmmaker Mahmoud Alzaq takes his YouTube followers on a journey of visual tricks and illusions. Palestine
Egyptian art show pays homage to diva Umm Kulthum An exhibition in Cairo casts a nostalgic look at Umm Kulthum, the great Egyptian diva, and her fans who loved the aesthetic life of the '50s and '60s in Egypt. Egypt
Orthodox Israelis dance to tune of tradition A modern dance troupe composed of religious Jewish men is forcing the ultra-Orthodox community to confront questions of art and self-expression. Israel
Israeli cartoonists draw on 70 years of history Israel makes a rich canvas for cartoonists, whose works are displayed at the Israeli Museum of Caricature and Comics on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the country's independence this spring. Israel
Istanbul exhibition recalls beer's popularity in Ottoman times Turkey's beer drinkers complain of high prices and legal limitations today, yet more than a century ago beer gardens were seen as ultimate modernity. Turkey
How conservatives are elbowing out Reformists in Iranian cinema Even though most prominent Iranian producers and directors have Reformist leanings, it is conservatives who are the most proactive in this arena. Iran
Can festivals revive tourism in Egypt's top Red Sea resort? In an effort to attract tourists, Sharm el-Sheikh turns to international film and theater festivals, but the jury is still out on whether these will positively impact the local economy. Egypt
Sisi takes Saudi prince to theater The Saudi crown prince's diplomatic visit to Egypt included a trip to the theater for a play that is anything but traditional in a country where artistic works still face heavy censorship. Egypt
Explosive art in Beirut explores power of cultural identity In an exhibition at the Saleh Barakat Gallery in Beirut, Lebanese artist Katya Traboulsi celebrates cultural diversity while highlighting the way that fear of difference drives a never-ending cycle of conflict. Lebanon
IRGC funding for cinema stirs debate in Iran Financial support from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps becomes a heated topic in Iran’s cinema community. Iran
