The award, which will be presented by The Hollywood Reporter, recognises Latiri’s contribution to developing Tunisia’s film industry.
The Arab Cinema Center (ACC) has selected Chiraz Latiri, former General Director of the Centre National du Cinema et de l’Image (CNCI), to receive the Arab Cinema Personality of The Year award, presented by The Hollywood Reporter.
Latiri will receive her award during a reception held by the ACC at the Berlin International Film Festival 2020 (Berlinale), which witnessed the ACC’s launch six years ago.
Chiraz Latiri has contributed to the development of the Tunisian film industry during the three years she served as General Director of the Centre National du Cinema et de l’Image (CNCI)from 2017 to 2019. Latiri founded the SENTOO programme that focusses on developing Arab and African film projects in the writing phase and promote co-production between countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the Maghreb region. She also created the Arab Film Platform, launched as part of the Manarat Mediterranean Film Festival.
Commenting on the award, Latiri said: “I am delighted to receive such an award from The Hollywood Reporter and Arab Cinema Center (ACC). This award is a reminder of how Cinema has crossed and changed my path in so many ways. I feel privileged for having had the chance to rub shoulders every day with Tunisia’s greatest film professionals and international key names in the industry.”
“I’m also proud to see that the Tunisian film industry has been developing and evolving to witness the emergence of a new generation of Tunisian filmmakers whose films able to compete internationally and winning awards from the world’s most prestigious film festivals. For almost three years, I was part of this exhilarating, dynamic journey,” Latiri added.
Maher Diab and Alaa Karkouti, Founders of the Arab Cinema Center (ACC) and MAD Solutions, added: “Chiraz Latiri is one of the very few people who have a positive influence on the film industry in Tunisia. Her efforts have also extended to benefit many filmmakers from the Arab world and Africa. Latiri’s great passion for cinema should inspire all filmmakers across the Arab world.”
