The Hollywood Arab Film Festival is making waves in the world of cinema, showcasing movies from the Middle East that are rarely seen on the big screen. Now in its third year, the festival is a passion project for director Maykel Bakhoum, who aims to celebrate diversity and inclusion in Hollywood.
Filmmakers from the Middle East have traveled to Los Angeles to participate in the festival, hoping to find distribution for their films in the capital of the cinema world. Tarek El Ganainy expressed the importance of having a voice and representation in Hollywood, while Mohamed Hefzy emphasized the need for distribution to prevent these films from remaining niche.
The Hollywood Arab Film Festival offers a unique opportunity for moviegoers to experience stories from the Middle East that are not readily available in mainstream cinemas. Bakhoum, who has been living in the U.S. for 16 years, saw a lack of Arab films being screened on the big screen and decided to create a platform to showcase these important stories.
The festival runs from April 17-21 at Look Cinemas in Glendale, giving audiences a chance to immerse themselves in the rich and diverse world of Arab cinema. With a focus on celebrating cultural heritage and sharing untold stories, the Hollywood Arab Film Festival is a must-see event for film enthusiasts looking to expand their cinematic horizons.