In its first edition, the Impact Lab, as part of the Good Pitch بالعربي program, brings together 31 professionals from the Arab world to create the first generation of a new professional role known as the“Impact Producer”.

8 feature length documentary films from 7 Arab countries, represented by their directors, will serve as case-studies to understand how documentary films can be put at the service of profound social change and to explore the developing relationship between cinema and civil society.

During 4 days, with the support of renowned mentors, the participants and the filmmakers will discover the role that civil society can play in the development, funding and distribution of their films. Actors of civil society will also learn how to use those films to serve the causes they defend.

Many of the films produced in the Arab world tackle complex topics like civic engagement, economic and social rights, gender, sexuality, war, revolution, and much more. They represent a great source of untapped potential for true social impact.

Now is the time for Arab cinema to forge a strong alliance with the society where lies its roots in order to achieve its full potential as a tool for real and effective change.