'The Crown' actor and Unicef Egypt Ambassador wore a complete look by the French Maison on the Croisette.

As Alhaidar was in Cannes to announce the Kingdom’s first film investment fund, we caught up with the businessman and cinema lover at the always abuzz Saudi Pavilion.

From March 1st and ongoing until July 15th 2023, the Résidence of the Festival de Cannes hosts 6 directors who have received personalized support in the writing of their screenplay for their first or second feature film. They will be on the Croisette from May 16th to May 22nd.

And some great world cinema filmmakers have been unveiled, including American director Damien Chazelle who will preside over the Venezia 80 main competition jury.

The festival organizers are still trying to find a way to allow for the participation of the persecuted Iranian helmer, as reported by Radio France Internationale RFI on Wednesday.

Rounding out the jury are Hungarian screenwriter and director Ildikó Enyedi, who will serve as Jury President, Canadian actress and director Charlotte Le Bon and French actress Karidja Touré.

Read on for some of the highlights from the filmmaker's insightful masterclass, as well as a cool interview you'll only find on MIME.

"Focus on the power of the narrative and see the film frame by frame in your mind," Qumra Master Sir Christopher Hampton tells emerging scriptwriters at this year's industry incubator Qumra, organized by the Doha Film Institute.

The morning masterclass was attended by emerging filmmakers from across the world and moderated by Richard Peña, Professor of Film Studies at Columbia University, and Ramsay's grace touched the audience.

This year's Festival de Cannes will be held from May 16 to 27 and Östlund will now hand out the Palme d'Or, after having received two of them himself during past editions.

German-Turkish filmmaker İlker Çatak’s 'The Teachers‘ Lounge' (Das Lehrerzimmer) has just won the Europa Cinemas Label as Best European film in the Panorama section at this year's Berlinale, and Nagihan Haliloğlu catches up with the filmmaker for an interview you won't want to miss.

The American actor may have said something during the press conference about his good friend Julian Sands, also featured in the film Malkovich is promoting at this year's Berlinale, but during our interview the tragedy of the actor who has gone missing felt like a looming presence, unspoken and indescribable.

On the wave of great news coming out of Iran, started when Jafar Panahi was released from jail on February 3rd, now filmmaker Mohammed Rasoulof has also been freed, though he faces more charges in a different case and could face up to 8 years in prison.

The multicultural thespian is a human rights activist as well and was featured in Nadine Labaki's groundbreaking film 'Caramel' before becoming a well-known face on American TV, playing twin roles on ABC's conspiracy thriller.

Sayed Kashua is a Palestinian writer who pens his work in Hebrew and whose latest projects include a film helmed by an Israeli filmmaker and a TV series airing on Israeli kids TV -- but don't call the man a bridge-builder, not to his face anyway!

Panahi's wife Tahereh Saeidi announced the dry hunger strike started by the beloved director who has been imprisoned by Iranian authorities, by publishing a statement from her Instagram page.

'A Cooler Climate' turned out to be one of the most magical films screening at this year's Cairo International Film Festival, which had quite an impressive line up. And catching up with Gardner afterward, to talk about "Jim", as he calls Ivory, and their work style, proved a personal highlight.

Always a friend of MIME, constantly praising our efforts and spreading the word on this endeavor, the British actor has gone missing in his beloved mountains. And while we await his next move -- he's a Superman after all! -- we wanted to share his thoughts from 2020.

The British writer whose work includes 'The Buddha of Suburbia', 'My Son the Fanatic' which along with 'My Beautiful Laundrette' he also helped to turn into movies, was hospitalized with a serious spinal cord injury just before New Year's. His journey back from total paralysis, which you can follow on Twitter or by signing up to his newsletter, is heartbreaking and inspiring at once.

Nadereh Hakim Elahi, Alidoosti's mother, announced the release of the prominent actress via a story shared on Instagram.

We are beyond saddened by the news that the legendary English fashion designer has passed away, but we find solace in some of her most famous sayings, which inspire us to do better and be better when it comes to fashion. And life.

The actor is one of the stars in the most anticipated title of the upcoming film festival season, and we loved watching him fulfill his glamour quotient at this year's Red Sea IFF, where he was on the Competition Jury headed by Oliver Stone.

The American actor, screenwriter and director, not to mention all around fashionista, will preside over the 73rd edition of the festival, to be held from the 16th to the 26th of February, 2023.

Thirty years after Lee's film 'Malcolm X' was the first ever international production to film in Mecca, the filmmaker returned to Saudi Arabia, to bring his film full circle and inspire film lovers in the Kingdom.

Beautiful, legendary, iconic -- there aren't enough words in the dictionary to describe Egyptian megastar Yousra and she'll be the recipient of the top honorary award in Jeddah.

The renowned Italian-Algerian director will participate in an intimate In-Conversation ahead of a special screening of his latest film, the cannibal love story 'Bones and All' at this year’s edition of the Jeddah-based festival.

The special homage of the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival will be devoted to American director, producer and screenwriter Steven Spielberg, who will also be presented with an Honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement.

The Red Sea International Film Festival (Red Sea IFF) announced today that the legendary Indian actor and producer Shah Rukh Khan will receive an Honorary Award to recognize his exceptional contribution to the film industry, during the opening ceremony of the festival’s second edition in Jeddah, on the Eastern shore of the Red Sea.

The film world premiered at the 44th Cairo International Film Festival and instantly became a must-watch for any and all, providing a road map for finding the way to bring together our ultra divided, hyper chaotic world.

The French actor could be considered the next Marlon Brando -- but don't tell him that.

The Red Sea International Film Festival announced today that acclaimed British director Guy Ritchie will receive an Honorary Award to recognize his exceptional contribution to the film industry at the opening ceremony of the second edition.

Kawase will lead the International Competition Jury of the 44th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), which will run from 13 to 22 November this year.

The acclaimed actor from Palestine highlighted the challenges creative artists face living under occupation and inspired the Ajyal jurors, in an online talk during the ongoing festival in Doha, Qatar.

The Iranian helmer talked from Toronto, where his latest film world premiered, before moving on to the upcoming BFI London Film Festival.

2022 Special 10th Edition of Ajyal Film Festival promises to shine the spotlight on Doha’s skyline and storytelling through architecture and provide insights on how modern cities express themselves through their cityscapes, also featuring Iranian actor Sadaf Asgari and Palestinian star Saleh Bakri who will share their experiences with the Ajyal Jury.

In a video message from Zurich, where the filmmaker is currently president of the International Competition Jury, Farhadi invited artists and creatives all around the world to demonstrate their solidarity with the Iranian people during these challenging times.

Alrashid is the CEO of the Saudi Research and Media Group, a Saudi-based integrated publishing company that owns 43 titles and 25 websites, including Arab News and Asharq Al-Awsat.

Fresh from her win at this year's Venice Film Festival, the Academy Award-winning American filmmaker will be honored at IDFA this November with the Retrospective and Top 10 programs, where her selection includes a Jafar Panahi film.

The actress is best known to international audiences for her role in the Netflix series 'Unorthodox' and has been tapped to play a little-known character in the 2024 film.

The film world premiered in the Orizzonti section at the Venice International Film Festival and catching up with the filmmaker the following day proved a highlight of this year on the Lido.

The jury awards the Étoile d’Or to one of the 14 first or second feature-length films in the festival’s international competition, which is dedicated to the discovery of filmmakers from around the globe.

The Italian-Algerian filmmaker will accept the honorary award on September 30th during the Gala Premiere of his latest film 'Bones and All' and will hold a public Masters talk on October 1.

The AIDS research foundation singles out personalities who have brought attention to their cause as well as those who searched for a cure -- and in Venice the event will be presented by Campari and the Red Sea International Film Festival.

The Cairo International Film Festival revealed that the world-renowned film director will be receiving its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award during the festival’s 44th edition, running from 13 – 22 November, 2022.

The film is the official remake of 'Forrest Gump', with Khan taking on the role which won Tom Hanks an Oscar -- so we caught up with the Indian superstar to ask him about the physical, emotional and spiritual challenges of playing Laal, a character bound to become as beloved as Forrest.

The Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) has announced that TV and film director Kamla Abou Zekry will be awarded their prestigious Faten Hamama Excellence Award at the upcoming 44th edition of the festival, scheduled to kick off on November 13th, 2022.

Whitehead, an international media leader, has been appointed to lead twofour54’s next chapter of success with the move to Yas Creative Hub.

Mohammad Rasoulof, whose latest project has been in U.S. cinemas since mid-June, was arrested on Friday in Iran alongside filmmaker Mostafa Al-Ahmad.

The Tunisian, Oscar-nominated filmmaker joins musicians, artists and filmmakers at a programme at the Villa, a new French institution for arts and ideas in the United States, which builds on the bold and innovative programs that have been the hallmark of the French cultural network abroad for more than a century.

The former teen idol, now an accomplished actor and filmmaker, will hold a public talk while at the festival and will receive his award at a ceremony held on Thursday, August 4 in the iconic Piazza Grande.

The Teatro Romano di Fiesole will bestow on the Iranian helmer their Masters Film Award 2022.

One of the most anticipated titles from the Region in this year's Cannes lineup, Erige Sehiri's film gives us a day in the life in a fig orchard and in the process, hands us a quiet masterpiece.

You can now re-discover in replay this exceptional exchange with the famed DoP Darius Khondji, recipient of the Tribute Pierre Angénieux 2022, hosted by journalist Jordan Mintzer, author of 'Conversations with Darius Khondji'.

The honour to the iconic French actress will be awarded during the 79th Venice International Film Festival.

The seven-time Formula One world champion will take the stage as the first Valentino menswear DI.VAs for the Valentino Pink PP Advertising Campaign.

The Egyptian-American documentary filmmaker's first narrative feature premiered in Un Certain Regard, the Cannes competition section dedicated to films that possess a "special gaze."

The Emirati filmmaker is teaming up with the two-time Academy Award-winning music director for Al Khaja's first art-house feature film.

Diam's, who converted to Islam in December of 2008, co-directed the film, along with Houda Benyamina and Anne Cissé.

An official partner of the Cannes Festival since 2013, the premium cinema lens manufacturer Angénieux hosts the “Pierre Angénieux Tribute” yearly, and this time around the honour goes to the legendary cinematographer who has worked with Bertolucci, Polanski and most recently, Alejandro González Iñarritú.

In her December 2021 talk titled "How film captures the space between hope and despair" the Lebanese filmmaker makes sense of the destruction and despair that has been all around her in Beirut in the last few years.

In a special collaboration which launches this Ramadan, the American beauty brand celebrates phenomenal Arab women, and the groundbreaking filmmaker from Dubai is featured.

Esseibi is the first-ever plus-size ambassador named by the Arab Fashion Council, the non-profit organization representing the fashion industry in the MENA.

Tafadar joins an elite group of lawyers to be appointed Queen’s Counsel

During their meeting on March 23, the Board of Directors of the Association Française du Festival International du Film which includes government officials and film industry members has elected the Festival’s new President -- Iris Knobloch.

The talented writer, producer and actress born in Iran has most recently been a part of a powerful new film titled 'Nico', about a woman who refuses to be the victim.

In his latest oeuvre, Palestinian auteur Hany Abu-Assad does what he does best -- tackles betrayal and draws us a story made in human shades of grey -- and the film finally opens in the U.S. on March 4th.

Now in their seventh year, the campaign featured Afghan-German cinematographer and filmmaker Zamarin Wahdat and MIME caught up with her from Berlin.

With his latest series 'Newton's Cradle' a huge success on the streaming site, the Egyptian helmer and screenwriter opened up about personal success and great casting coups.

With an impressive resume that includes compositions for symphony orchestras and an upcoming album, the multi-hyphenated musical wonder opens up about her work ethic and how she got into the film scoring world.

Filmmaker Ran Tal talks to MIME about his haunting documentary portrait of war photographer Micha Bar-Am, world premiering this weekend in Berlin.

Gianluca Chakra of Front Row announced on Instagram that his company has acquired MENA rights and will release the film in June 2022, to coincide with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebration.

Shukri Lawrence, co-creator of the Palestinian label Trashy Clothing, has been a growing force in the Middle Eastern fashion world since 2017 along with his co-designer, Omar Braika.

In a series of images that the Yemeni American artist calls "first and foremost an ode to friendship," pieces from the Balmain Resort 2022 collection are featured in all their beauty and cultural value.

The legendary French designer whose fashion line was worn by the likes of Diana Ross, David Bowie, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé, died on Sunday at the age of 73.

With steady steps, the Egyptian editor is making his way from Egypt all the way to Hollywood and the international film industry.

On January 19th, Marc Baréty, the French Ambassador in Egypt bestowed the “Legion of Honour” medal to Marianne Khoury in the presence of a small community of Egyptian personalities at the French Embassy in Cairo.

World renowned photojournalist Ammar Abd Rabbo gives MIME readers a first person account into the inner workings of this year's inaugural event held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The Iranian-born filmmaker's latest is part of the Panorama titles that were recently announced for the upcoming festival.

Calling out the opposite sex with lyrics like "there are men among you, and their work is rare" the Egyptian superstar puts her singing to great use in a stunning, just-released video on YouTube.

Skillfully weaving the audience through a road trip movie with a twist, Nadine Khan shows off her great cinematic DNA and in the process, creates a perfect film.

MELT Middle East is a company the US comedian is launching while in the UAE this week, and will feature celebrity events as well as consulting.

The two-times Academy Award winning composer gave an inspiring talk in the open air at the Cairo Opera House complex.

On Friday, the 55-year-old Lebanese-Mexican actress became the 2,709th celebrity to receive a star on the iconic sidewalk, at a special ceremony outside of the TCL Chinese Theatre.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Doha Film Institute (DFI) and Ajyal Festival Director talks about building a sustainable and long lasting cinematic legacy in Qatar -- and her wise words should be a lesson to every film organisation around the world.

The real life mother and daughter duo behind the film open up about working together, how the character of Shlomit grew out of their personal experiences and cinematic inspirations.

The brainchild of the American philanthropist and animal advocate, Ecoflix was founded to support and empower positive change to protect the natural world and will launch globally on Tuesday 9th November 2021, during COP26.

In her new documentary, filmmaker Gohar introduces us to the wonder that is Egyptian fashion designer Mohanad Kojak and the film will see its UK premiere at the upcoming festival taking place in London from 27 October to 6 November.

The American filmmaker talked about inspiration, meeting one's heroes and making personal films the audience wants to watch.

For this interview, right after the Venice Film Festival world premiere of Mounia Akl's all-too-contemporary film, the ever inspiring actress and filmmaker touched on issues that have only gotten worse in her native Lebanon in the past few weeks...

As she gets ready to kick off the 58th edition of the festival in Turkey on October 2nd, MIME caught up with Başak Emre for an insightful talk about Turkish cinema, the role of the festival in its landscape and being a woman at the helm.

She feels that the situation in Afghanistan could eventually see filmmakers take the opportunity to tell their own stories

Wearing an all-Prada ensemble that would make a lesser man disappear, the Saudi actor-slash-singer-slash-fashion designer opens up for the magazine's special Saudi National Day digital cover interview.

Shaima Al-Tamimi made history at the Venice Film Festival this year, where she presented her project -- the first film by a Yemeni filmmaker in the Orizzonti competition.

And the result is a cinematic character that is as complex and wonderful as his role is short. But to know him in full you'll have to watch Antoine Barraud's spellbinding 'Madeleine Collins'.

While every film in the Venice Film Festival line-up this year appeared to be actual and meaningful, none more than Mounia Akl's 'Costa Brava, Lebanon' provided as urgent a watch because of the insight it delivers into the current crisis in the filmmaker's home country.

For Mounia Akl's impressive feature debut, which premiered at this year's Venice Film Festival, the Palestinian superstar infuses the character of Walid Badri with his own special brand of human vulnerability, in the story of a family whose existence is threatened by the corrupt politics and environmental disaster which plague their beloved country.

Egyptian helmer Mohamed Diab and his producer-wife Sarah Goher are at the Venice Film Festival promoting the film 'Amira', yet the conversation easily strayed to their work on upcoming Marvel series 'Moon Knight', as Jay Weissberg found out during his exclusive interview on the Lido.

The French-Algerian actor stars in 'Promises' world premiering in the Orizzonti competition at this year's Venice Film Festival.

'Our River... Our Sky' is the narrative feature debut by renowned London-based, Iraqi filmmaker Maysoon Pachachi and it world premiered at this year's Sarajevo Film Festival.

Mehdi Hmili's 'Streams' premiered at this year's Locarno Festival to rave reviews and MIME caught up with its star, Afef Ben Mahmoud for a sincere, candid talk about her character Amel, motherhood and the role of women in today's world -- and not just the Arab world.