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
UK music festival rocked by boycotts as artists shun Israel The artists are refusing to play at the Great Escape Festival in Brighton, a seaside resort in South England, over one of the sponsors' ties to Israel. Israel
‘Written Eye’ exhibit breathes life into Syria's art scene Several young artists showcased their works at a new-concept exhibition held in the heart of the Syrian capital, signaling a revival of the Syrian art scene after years of war. Syria
Iran film festival faces membership suspension and withdrawals amid unrest The Tehran International Short Film Festival’s credibility hangs in the balance after the international Short Film Conference found its board supportive of “disgraceful government actions” during the Iran uprisings and suspended its membership in response. Iran
International fashion shows land in Egypt Luxury fashion houses Stefano Ricci, Elie Saab and Dior have chosen different iconic places in Egypt to host major events, in line with the authorities’ new branding strategy aimed at attracting new visitors by leveraging the country’s cultural and artistic side. Egypt
NFT art, industry boom in Israel Israel might have gotten a late start on NFT art, but it's catching up quickly with active artists and groups on all social networks. Israel
Tunisia’s LGBTQ scene celebrates Mawjoudin Queer Film Festival A major LGBTQ community event has shown diversity and inclusion are still alive in spite of Tunisia’s authoritarian drift and regression of freedoms. North Africa
Gulf states warn Netflix over content that 'contradicts Islamic values' The controversy follows some Gulf states cracking down on rainbow colors due to their resemblance to the LGBTQ pride flag, though the Gulf Cooperation Council did not mention what exactly the issue is with Netflix. Gulf
On lightning vacations, Ultra-Orthodox pour onto segregated Israeli beaches Israel's ultra-Orthodox have only three weeks of yeshiva break, and they take their brief summer vacation very seriously. Israel
Kurdish diva brokenhearted but resolute in face of language discrimination in Turkey The "brutal" quashing of Kurdishness in Turkey continues to be state policy — even in entertainment. Turkey
Syrians outraged over Jackie Chan movie shot over rubble of their homes Syrians who were displaced from Hajar al-Aswad area of Damascus in the past years were shocked to see Chinese film crews standing on the rubble of their homes to shoot a new film by Jackie Chan. Syria
Russian painter claims paintings illegally used in Cairo metro mural A Russian artist revealed his paintings have been displayed in the national metro project in Egypt without his consent and without mentioning his name, threatening to take legal action. Egypt
First dance center inaugurated in Egypt An Egyptian dancer inaugurated the first oriental dance institute with the aim to preserve this art as an authentic Egyptian heritage. Egypt
Unique eco-art center to open in Israeli desert The soon-to-be-created Art Laboratory for Future Ecologies in the desert Arava region in southern Israel was envisioned by Israeli international artist Galit Eilat. Israel
Syrian musicians carve out small space in Istanbul’s live music scene Istanbul’s Syrian-run small art spaces have become a conduit of connection between locals and the refugee population through music amid high running anti-refugee sentiment across the country. Syria
