About Masahat AFLAMUNA:

Masahat AFLAMUNA is a pan-Arab network of community cinema spaces (non-commercial screening spaces), a new model that achieves independence, inclusivity, and decentralization in film distribution, and reclaims Arab cinema for Arab audiences.

Masahat AFLAMUNA aims to activate spaces of all kinds across the Arab region, transforming them into vibrant, inclusive, and accessible community cinemas. Through training, funding, and mapping of screening spaces across the region, the initiative empowers cultural organizers to bring independent cinema and culture back to their communities. The project also provides independent filmmakers with an infrastructure to self-distribute their films and reach new audiences as easily as possible. Simply put, we seek to encourage and support film clubs across the Arab region to become more organized and equipped, and to connect them with independent Arab filmmakers.

What Does Masahat AFLAMUNA Offer Participants?

1. A training program for 20 individuals, groups, and/or spaces interested in activating community cinema spaces in Syria. The training covers film curation, screening topics, promotion, community engagement, technical and operational aspects, and resources and tools to strengthen their capacity to create and sustain community cinema spaces.
2. Selected participants will be offered a small financial grant that can be used to rehabilitate and equip spaces with the necessary equipment and/or cover the running costs of film screenings, among other uses.
3. A library of independent Arab films, with rights cleared for free screenings within participants’ communities.

What Is Required from Participants?

• Selected participants, individuals, groups, and spaces must commit to attending all training sessions. The training will take place online in September 2026.
• Participants must ensure they have the necessary equipment and internet connection, as all training sessions will be conducted online. The AFLAMUNA team will provide support to participants who face technical difficulties to the best of its abilities.
• Selected participants, individuals, groups, and spaces are required to organize at least 15 screenings between October 2026 and June 2027, using the Masahat AFLAMUNA library of independent Arab films.
• Individual participants must have a written agreement with at least one space willing to host the regular film screenings they organize.
• Participants must adhere to AFLAMUNA’s non-discrimination policy outlined below, and actively contribute to making the program a safe space for all participants. No discriminatory act occurring during the program or any of its resulting activities will be tolerated.

Who Is Eligible for This Program?

• Individuals, spaces, and collectives from all backgrounds and fields who are interested in bringing independent Arab films to their communities.
• Individuals and collectives who do not represent a specific space, provided they have a written agreement with a screening space willing to host the screenings they will organize.
• Spaces and collectives must appoint one individual to attend the training, who will serve as the main point of contact for hosting film screenings.
• Participants in the training program must reside in Syria.
• Participants of the training program must be Arabic speakers.
• Participation is open to those aged 18 and above.

Selection Criteria for Individual Participants:

• Engagement with the local community.
• Relevance of professional background to the project.
• Relevance of personal projects and motivation to the project.
• Diversity of geographical locations, with priority given to underserved areas, especially rural areas and refugee camps.
• Diversity of professional backgrounds.
• Gender parity.

Selection Criteria for Spaces and Collectives:

• Engagement with the local community.
• Legal status of the space, with priority given to non-profit initiatives.
• Feasibility of the planned community cinema screenings.
• Relevance of the space or collective’s general strategy, with a focus on community-driven activities.
• Diversity of geographical locations, with priority given to underserved areas.

AFLAMUNA is dedicated to being a safe space and believes in freedom of expression as a fundamental human right. Applicants shall not be discriminated against based on race, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or disability.