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
Ultra-Orthodox women produce films, inspire Israeli girls A few courageous ultra-Orthodox women film producers are creating movies for their own audience, completely changing the perception of entertainment in the ultra-Orthodox society. Israel
Silenced Turkish singers decry continued music ban Turkish government persistence on not removing the live music ban draws outcry from the entertainment and music industry. Turkey
Syrian rapper embraces NFTs to shake up Middle East music industry Nonfungible tokens are charting a new course for artists, and one Syrian musician hopes they will help more Arab artists gain independence. Gulf
Lebanese artists explore NFTs The adoption of NFT art in Lebanon seems to be a milestone for artists. Lebanon
Reverse-Orientalism, feminism inform work of Omani artist Eman Ali Sexuality, the performance of gender, and religious and socio-political ideologies are at the forefront of Omani artist Eman Ali's art, and her hybrid of artistic expression ranges from photography to installation. Gulf
Photographer captures surrealist post-explosion Beirut at Dubai art show Surreal silos and ruins of ancient buildings are the subjects of the new series of works by Dia Mrad, recently presented at the biggest art fair in the Middle East. Culture
Hamas, Islamic Jihad finance 'resistance' dramas for Ramadan Islamist groups in the Gaza Strip argue that films should reflect the realities of the Israeli occupation. Palestine
Director reveals Egypt missed out on 'Moon Knight' because of permits Egyptian director Mohamed Diab, the first Arab to direct a Marvel production, has criticized his country’s bureaucracy and intervention by multiple authorities in obtaining licenses to film international productions on Egyptian soil. Egypt
Disney to dub new film Encanto in Egyptian Arabic after 10-year hiatus The company began dubbing its films in standard Arabic a decade ago, in a decision that was widely interpreted in political terms and which sparked strong controversy among Arabic-speaking fans. Egypt
Film about Israel collaborators sparks outcry in Palestine Conservative Palestinians are outraged at a Palestinian film about Palestinians collaborating with Israel, which also features nudity and indecency. Palestine
Art Dubai embraces digital, NFTs, Global South At Art Dubai, digital art and the Global South are spotlighted at the fair’s largest edition to date. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
Beirut artists interpret experience of nonconformance in Middle East A comic book artist and a photographer/editor speak of the queer community in Lebanon, and how it has changed over time. Lebanon
