With support from the California Arts Council, HOLLYWOOD ARAB FILM FESTIVAL CORPORATION will sustain and expand year-round arts programming that uplifts Arab, Middle Eastern, North African, and Southwest Asian (SWANA) voices through film, media arts, and public engagement across California. Grant funds will support general operating expenses including staffing, artist support, accessibility services, outreach, marketing, and public programming. Through film screenings, educational panels, filmmaker discussions, and partnerships with cultural organizations, HOLLYWOOD ARAB FILM FESTIVAL CORPORATION advances equitable access to the arts for immigrant, diaspora, and historically underrepresented communities. Funding from the California Arts Council will strengthen the organization’s operational capacity and help provide accessible, inclusive, and affordable cultural programming that fosters artistic opportunity, cross-cultural understanding, and meaningful community connection throughout California. The organization also supports independent artists while expanding culturally responsive community-centered arts participation.
The Hollywood Arab Film Festival (HAFF) is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing Arab and Arab diaspora voices in global cinema through year-round programming, industry initiatives, and cultural exchange. Its core programs include an annual international film festival that showcases narrative, documentary, and experimental works; curated screenings and cultural events that foster dialogue between Arab and non-Arab audiences; and industry-facing initiatives such as project development labs, networking forums, and panels that support emerging and established filmmakers.
HAFA also produces educational and professional development programs aimed at increasing access to the film industry, particularly for underrepresented creatives. Through strategic partnerships with cultural institutions, distributors, and international festivals, HAFA serves as a platform for cross-cultural storytelling, artistic excellence, and creative collaboration. Its programming emphasizes both artistic innovation and cultural diplomacy, positioning Arab cinema within a broader global and American context.