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
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
Palestinian photojournalist turned artist inspires female students Rula Halawani's journey as an artist has always involved looking at the Palestinian land and people. Palestine
Iran arrests three filmmakers over protests Iran arrested Jafar Panahi after he was looking into the case of two other filmmakers accused of involvement in anti-government protests. Iran
Photojournalists share life on Nile Photographers and journalists from Nile Basin countries meet in Cairo to show their stories about the Nile in the EveryDayNile project amid growing concerns of water shares and cleanness. Egypt
Turkish exhibit reveals ‘extraordinary world’ of Ottoman Empire's last caliph A retrospective of the artwork of Abdulmecid II, Islam’s last caliph, illustrates the dynasty’s fusion of East and West. Turkey
Egypt's Al-Azhar lashes out at Disney for gay characters Calls are growing in Egypt for boycotting Walt Disney as the entertainment giant seeks to introduce gay characters in its production. Egypt
Saudi 2030 to expand art scene in Jeddah, Riyadh With Saudi Arabia’s new social reform plan the local art scene is blooming with a plethora of cultural initiatives. Gulf
New Egyptian film depicts intrigue, power plays at Al-Azhar Egyptian-born director Tarek Saleh’s latest movie is his first to be shown at Cannes. Egypt
Analysis The Takeaway: Iran hoped to close nuclear deal before economic reforms, says expert Israeli exodus from Turkey over Iranian threat; Turkey takes aim at Syrian towns; Manbij residents brace for Turkish attack; desperation in Yemen’s displacement camps; Egyptian dance music livens up "Moon Knight." By Elizabeth Hagedorn , Andrew Parasiliti
Istanbul art exhibit celebrates Turkey’s groundbreaking female artists “I-You-They: A Century of Artist Women,” at Istanbul’s Mesher gallery, explores early artists who have largely been neglected in the canon, inviting today’s artists to re-examine their roots. Turkey
Abu Dhabi gears up for first natural history museum in Gulf region The Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi, which is being built and is due to open in 2025, organized an exhibition as a preview of the rare natural specimens the museum will house. Gulf
