Dubai: The Dubai Films and Games Commission, part of the Dubai Media Council, will organise the Films Forum during the Arab Media Summit 2026, bringing together leading figures from cinema, drama and music alongside directors, producers, industry experts and creative leaders from the region and around the world.

The Arab Media Summit 2026 will take place in Dubai from September 15 to 17, with the Films Forum serving as a strategic platform to discuss the rapid changes reshaping the global audiovisual and creative industries.

The forum will highlight Dubai’s growing role as a global destination for creative production, talent and investment, while examining emerging opportunities and challenges facing the film and entertainment sectors.

Focus on cinema, streaming and AI

The Films Forum will explore the transformation of Arab cinema and drama, the rise of co-productions and streaming platforms, the growing influence of artificial intelligence, and the role of music and drama in shaping cultural identity and taking Arab stories to international audiences.

Samr Al Marzooqi, Film Commissioner at the Dubai Films and Games Commission, said the forum comes at a time when streaming and AI are reshaping traditional models of production and distribution.

“Dubai is no longer a place this industry passes through; we are building a full production base that connects Arab talent and stories to global markets,” he said, adding that the emirate aims to provide creators with the partnerships and tools needed to take their work from local ideas to international audiences.

Diverse perspectives on Arab drama and cinema

The forum will feature a wide range of sessions highlighting the evolution of Arab and Gulf cinema and drama.

“The Faces We Grew Up With” will bring together Samira Ahmed, Dawood Hussain and Mohammed Al Mansoor to reflect on defining moments in Gulf drama and its influence on successive generations.

“Regional Stories ... Global Screens” will feature Emirati director Mohammed Saeed Harib, producer Rula Nasser and Mouhamad Keblawi, Founder and President of the Malmö Arab Film Festival. The session will examine how locally rooted stories reach international audiences through streaming platforms and global film festivals.

A special screening will feature Agence France-Presse’s Oscar-qualified documentary “Inside Gaza”, which follows AFP journalists and photographers working on the ground amid danger, communications blackouts and the human cost of reporting the story to the world.

Spotlight on women and the future of Gulf cinema

Another session, “The Story of the First Female Emirati Director,” will feature Dr. Hessa Lootah, a pioneer of UAE media and television, reflecting on her career and contribution to the development of the country’s media landscape.

“The Gulf Cinema We Want to See” will bring together screenwriters Mohammad Hassan Ahmed and Ahmed Al Arshi to discuss the future direction of Gulf cinema.

The session “Arab Women Who Make the Scene” will feature actresses Karess Bashar, Dina El Sherbiny and Carmen Bsaibes, focusing on the growing role of women both in front of and behind the camera.

Lebanese star Nadine Nassib Njeim will participate in “The Soft Power of Drama,” exploring how drama can build cultural bridges, influence perceptions and connect societies with audiences around the world.

From traditional cinema to streaming

The changing relationship between cinema and digital platforms will be examined in “From Cinema to Streaming: How the Frame Changed.”

Actors Abed Fahed and Nelly Karim, alongside producer Sadek Sabbah, Chairman and CEO of Cedars Art Production (Sabbah Brothers), will discuss how streaming platforms have transformed production, distribution and viewing habits.

Music, technology and cultural identity

The Films Forum will also explore the relationship between music, memory and cultural identity.

“Khaleeji Hits that Defined a Generation” will bring together composer Fayez Al Saeed, poet Ali Al Khawar and director Suhail Al Abdul to discuss the evolution of Gulf music from lyrics and melodies to visual storytelling.

“Dubai as a Regional Hub of Music” will feature Rasha Al Mubarak, Chairwoman of Music Nation, and Stuart Bullard, Co-founder and Ambassador of Palm 9 Studios Dubai. The session will examine changes in the music industry and opportunities created by new technologies and international partnerships.

AI and the future of Arab drama

Artificial intelligence will be another major focus of the forum.

The session “AI in Content: Opportunity or Threat?” will feature Aya Atassi and examine AI’s impact on writing, directing and production, as well as the creative possibilities and ethical questions surrounding its use.

Meanwhile, “A New Era in Arab Drama Production” will bring together Ahmed El Awady and Yara Elsokary to discuss changing audience preferences, the evolution of stardom and the future of Arab drama across an expanding range of viewing platforms.

The Films Forum is expected to reinforce the Arab Media Summit 2026’s focus on the rapid transformation of film and audiovisual content, while highlighting the Arab region’s growing presence on the global creative industries map.