News

Netflix To Give 5 Arab Female Filmmakers A $250,000 Grant

This is AFAC’s second collaboration with Netflix, and it aligns perfectly with its mission to promote diversity of voices and narratives.

Published

3 years ago

April 23, 2022

David Morelo

In 2021, Netflix set up its Fund for Creative Equity to create more opportunities for people from underrepresented communities. Now, the subscription streaming service and production company is partnering with the Lebanon-based Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) to offer a $250,000 grant to 5 Arab female filmmakers.

“The Fund for Creative Equity helps the industry as a whole to have a much more dynamic, interesting, multidimensional representation of women, and this is one step in the journey to enabling more women to tell their stories and have new audiences discover their work”, said Nuha El Tayeb, Director Content Acquisitions, Middle East, and Turkey at Netflix.

Also Read: Disney+ Confirms Its Middle East Launch Date

The one-off grant will go to five projects across the MENA region:

The Mother Of All Lies by Asmae El Moudir (Morocco): A documentary focusing on the 1981 Bread Riots in Morocco and its impact on the director’s family and contemporary society.
My Name Is Clara by Sarra Abidi (Tunisia): A story of a call center operator named Ayda, who is living an ordinary and repetitive life.
Manity by Tania El Khoury (Lebanon): An examination of the relationship between an 11-year-old son and his father as they go bird hunting.
The Day Vladimir Died by Jana Wehbe (Lebanon): A story of an old man who spends his time checking the obituaries page and attending funerals.
From The Other Shore by Diala Kachmar (Lebanon): A movie about two handicapped friends who navigate life together.

This is AFAC’s second collaboration with Netflix, and it aligns perfectly with its mission to promote diversity of voices and narratives. “More and more Arab female filmmakers are creating moving images that have the power to shed light on the realities of the region,” said Rima Mismar, AFAC’s current Executive Director.

News

Dubai Duty Free And TerraPay Partner For Seamless Digital Wallet Payments

The move will enhance convenience for the 100 million customers traveling through Dubai Airport each year.

Published

19 hours ago

February 4, 2025

Nour Nasir

dubai duty free and terrapay partner for seamless digital wallet payments

Dubai Duty Free (DDF), the world’s largest single airport retailer, has teamed with payment provider TerraPay to simplify transactions for international travelers. The partnership will allow over 100 million customers to pay using their home-country digital wallets, including Airtel Money, M-PESA, and MTN MoMooffering, allowing for seamless and accessible shopping experiences.

With TerraPay’s global network of 3.7 billion mobile wallets and its cross-border payments infrastructure, Dubai Duty Free is expanding its payment options to meet evolving consumer preferences. By integrating digital wallets into its system, DDF provides a convenient alternative to traditional payment methods, making transactions much smoother for travelers.

Digital wallets are rapidly becoming the dominant payment method worldwide: In 2025, they are expected to handle 52% of global eCommerce transactions and 30% of all in-store purchases. In addition, digital wallets are already projected to surpass 35% of all cross-border payments this year, highlighting the growing demand for fast, easy, and secure transactions.

Also Read: Visa Partnership Takes X Closer Toward Musk’s “Everything App” Vision

Ambar Sur, Founder & CEO of TerraPay, stated, “Our partnership with Dubai Duty Free […] reflects our shared vision […] to enhance convenience and accessibility, building an inclusive ecosystem that prioritizes customers. It also aligns with the launch of TerraPay’s Wallet Interoperability Council, which aims to create a more connected global payment landscape”.

Echoing this sentiment, Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, said, “We are reinforcing our commitment to empowering our customers by enabling them to pay with their preferred methods. Dubai Duty Free has always been at the forefront of technological advancements, and with access to TerraPay’s vast network, we’re excited to offer this new payment solution”.