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
Caricatures challenge restrictions, depict suffering of Idlib citizens Despite the risks of being a female caricaturist in Idlib, many young Syrian women have successfully entered the field to express the concerns and pain of Syrians and make their voices heard. Syria
Turkish Netflix series turns cameras on pogroms, hidden Greeks "The Club," whose first season woke the ghosts of Turkey’s Jewish community, turns its lens on Turkey’s Greek Orthodox Community and the pogroms of 1955. Turkey
Conservative groups seek to shut down concerts in Iraq Iraqis fear that Islamic parties and armed religious groups are trying to impose their fundamentalist views on social and personal freedoms. Iraq
Artist's retirement prompts debate in Egypt: is singing allowed or against religion? Jordanian artist Adham Nabulsi has retired from singing so he can “worship God and obey his commands,” sparking controversy over whether or not singing and acting are considered haram. Egypt
Turkey cracks down on bootleg alcohol ahead of New Year celebrations Following news of bootleg-related deaths, the Interior Ministry launched Operation Alcohol across the country, while critics say the government uses these high-profile operations to demonize alcohol consumption. Turkey
Turkey’s belly dancers can't shake government TV censors Gone are the days where belly dancers appeared on Turkish TVs as part of the country's New Year's Eve celebrations. Turkey
Jeddah Red Sea Film Festival marks historic moment for Saudi filmmakers Saudis, Arabs, world stars and celebrities walked the red carpet in the conservative kingdom in a scene that no one could have imagined a few years ago. Culture
UK nominates documentary on femicide in Turkey for Oscars “Dying to Divorce,” the United Kingdom’s official entry into the Academy Awards for best international feature film, tells the story of Turkey’s gender-based violence victims, femicide and the inability of the legal system to bring the perpetrators to justice. Turkey
Zawyeh Gallery expands Palestinian contemporary art collection to Dubai The Palestinian Zawyeh Gallery has opened a second location in Dubai. Gulf
Gaming offers livelihood for some young Syrians Video games have recently become a way to earn money for young Syrians amid scarce job opportunities in all fields and financial hardships. Syria
Syrian-Kurdish couple sets Amude's cinema ghosts to rest Since a deadly fire in 1960, going to the cinema has been taboo in the Kurdish town of Amude in northeastern Syria, and a couple who recently emigrated from Europe hopes to change things. Syria
Famed Syrian singer Omar Souleyman arrested in Turkey Omar Souleyman is accused by Turkey of being a member of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, aka PKK. News Brief
