MAD Solutions has announced the launch of a three-month CineMAD season, aimed at bringing the finest Arab festival films to cinemas across the Middle East and North Africa. For curious travelers, this offers a rare portal into the region's cinematic soul -- allowing visitors to connect with local stories and cultures far beyond the usual tourist trail.
CineMAD is a curated film season by MAD Solutions, the Cairo-based studio known for championing Arab cinema. Rather than being a one-time festival, the program will distribute a slate of Arab films that have won praise on the international festival circuit. Over several months, these films will be screened in cities across the MENA region, depending on local cinema networks and partnerships.
MAD Solutions calls CineMAD a "first-of-its-kind regional initiative." Through this, they aim to close the gap between festival acclaim and regular theatrical audiences. The goal is to build a real ecosystem where Arab films are not just celebrated at festivals -- but enjoyed by everyday cinema-goers throughout the region.
From a traveler's perspective, CineMAD offers a rewarding cultural layer to any trip across the Arab world:
MAD Solutions is a major force in Arab cinema. It handles production, distribution, marketing, and even talent management in the MENA region. The company also founded the Arab Cinema Center (ACC) -- a non-profit platform that promotes Arab film internationally. Through ACC, Arab creators connect with global festivals, markets, and cultural institutions.
CineMAD reflects MAD Solutions' long-term vision: not just to sell films, but to foster a thriving pan-Arab film culture. The season is accompanied by partnerships with cinemas and cultural players in many MENA cities -- giving regional audiences and visitors alike access to top-tier Arab festival films.
The CineMAD slate includes titles that have earned awards or critical praise. These range from established works to rising voices in Arab cinema. While the full lineup is diverse, it includes films from multiple Arab nations that explore history, identity, and contemporary life.
In addition, a special opening event will be held in Cairo. The night is themed "Drop the Beat," blending film with music. Short films in this opening include stories rooted in rap and regional rhythms, offering a fresh, youthful energy to kick off the season.
Cultural tourism is booming in the MENA region, and film is playing a larger role in attracting global travelers. The Arab Cinema Center (ACC) -- established by MAD Solutions -- is active in creating connections between filmmakers and travelers. The ACC frequently participates in international festivals, helping to put Arab cinema on the world stage.
By programming screenings across regional cinemas, CineMAD aligns with broader tourism goals. It encourages cultural engagement, supports local film ecosystems, and draws diaspora and international audiences. For a traveler, catching a CineMAD screening can feel like visiting a cultural landmark -- as significant as museums or historic sites.
CineMAD is not just a film-distribution program. It is a cultural bridge. For travelers, it offers a way to explore the Arab world through its own stories. For filmmakers, it broadens their reach. And for the region, it's a sign that Arab festival cinema is no longer confined to red carpets -- it can live in everyday cinemas, and in the hearts of local and global audiences.
The launch of the CineMAD season by MAD Solutions is an invitation to travelers: come not only to see the monuments, but to feel the stories. As you journey through MENA, let the silver screen guide you into the region's soul. This season is more than entertainment -- it is a window into the richness of Arab culture, offered through the most powerful medium of all: cinema.