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

2 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

du Considers Adding Crypto & Investment Tools To New Service

The company plans to bridge gaps in one of the financial market’s most underserved demographics, according to its CEO.

Published

1 day ago

April 23, 2024

Nour Nasir

du considers adding crypto and investment tools to new service

The Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company, better known as Dubai-based du, is contemplating incorporating cryptocurrency and investment tools into its recently launched financial technology platform, according to CEO Nicolas Levi.

According to Levi, the potential enhancements would enable improved portfolio management for investors. The new tools and features would be realized through future partnerships while continuing to adhere to strict UAE regulations.

“Cryptocurrencies are being used as an investment. Will we have an investment product one day potentially? I’m not saying no to that. Will we use crypto for our own transactions? There are some plans with the [UAE] central bank to work on that,” Levi said in a recent interview.

The UAE Central Bank does not currently recognize cryptocurrencies as legal tender. However, the regulator began implementing its own form of digital currency back in March 2023, known as Digital Dirham. Additionally, the UAE Central Bank’s endorsement of legitimate crypto enterprises for banking services underscores the Emirates’ commitment to addressing real-world financial needs.

Also Read: Lebanese Newspaper Builds AI President To Beat Political Crisis

du Pay, the company’s inaugural venture into the FinTech sector, had a soft launch earlier this month after UAE Central Bank authorization. Offering an array of financial services like domestic and international transfers, bill payments, recharges, and salary receipts through a unique IBAN, du Pay marks a significant strategic move by the telecom firm into the digital finance space.

The rising trend of mobile-based financial services in the UAE, including digital wallets and online payments, mirrors global trends. Statista projects the digital payments market to balloon to $16.7 trillion by 2028, at a CAGR exceeding 9.5% from 2024’s estimated $11.53 trillion.