Waleed Zuaiter

The New York Arab American Comedy Festival is celebrating its 20th Anniversary with a year-long tour to 5 of the most prestigious performance venues in the US.

The critically-acclaimed, award-winning drama became an international sensation in its first season, with its shocking yet artfully-choreographed action scenes and stunt work. Following the premiere, one episode of the eight-part season will debut Thursdays on AMC+, AMC Networks’ premium streaming bundle.

Over 65 actors of MENASA descent were virtually screened and performed for an exclusive television and film industry panel last Saturday, part of a diversity initiative produced by Studio For Performing Arts LA (SPALA) and MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition (MAAC).

The in-production teaser and first-look images offer unique insight into the world of season two, as the gangs battle to decide who will win the soul of London. Set one year after the tumultuous events of series one, the second season charts London’s map and soul being redrawn. Check out the new images and teaser now!

On September 23rd, the Oscar-Qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival will once again host a star-studded Opening Night celebration. Attendees of the in-person ceremony will witness short film premieres from Academy Award-winning alumni and Hollywood heavyweights. Kicking off the 17th annual festival will be a special screening from Film Independent and Netflix Film Club.

Adapted from the Tony Award-winning play of the same name, the film is based on a true story of negotiations between implacable enemies - the secret back-channel talks, unlikely friendships and quiet heroics of a small but committed group of Israelis, Palestinians and one Norwegian couple that led to the 1993 Oslo Peace Accords.

A film adaptation of J.T. Rogers' Tony Award-winning play Oslo is on the way, starring Ruth Wilson and Andrew Scott. It was announced today that the film will premiere on HBO Max this May. An exact release date has not yet been revealed.

Adapted from the Tony Award-winning play of the same name, the film is based on a true story of negotiations between implacable enemies — the secret back-channel talks, unlikely friendships and quiet heroics of a small but committed group of Israelis, Palestinians and one Norwegian couple that led to the 1993 Oslo Peace Accords.

Netflix has released the main trailer for THE SPY, starring Sacha Baron Cohen.

Netflix has released a first look at THE SPY starring Sacha Baron Cohen. THE SPY is inspired by the real-life story of former Mossad agent, Eli Cohen, who successfully goes undercover in Syria in the early 1960s. Cohen becomes close enough to ambitious military leaders and their rich friends to earn a game-changing level of trust about Syria's biggest anti-Israel secret initiatives.

Blue Fox Entertainment has released the trailer for SAINT JUDY, directed by Sean Hanish and starring Michelle Monaghan and Common.

 “Sarah Jessica Parker shines” (Indiewire) in the powerful and affecting drama HERE AND NOW, arriving on DVD January 22, 2019 from Paramount Home Media Distribution.

Paramount Worldwide Acquisitions announced today that it has acquired the North American rights to the Sarah Jessica Parker (“Divorce,” “Sex and the City”) drama HERE AND NOW (formerly titled Blue Night).  The film will be distributed by Paramount Home Media Distribution on Digital and VOD beginning November 9, 2018, the same day that it will debut in theaters from AMBI Distribution.

The 17th annual Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, revealed its feature film lineup championing the discovery of emerging voices and celebrating new work from established filmmaking talent. To close the Festival, Tribeca will World Premiere The Fourth Estate, from Oscar®-nominated director Liz Garbus, which follows The New York Times' coverage of the Trump administration's first year. The Centerpiece Gala will be the World Premiere of Drake Doremus' sci-fi romance Zoe starring Ewan McGregor, Lea Seydoux, Rashida Jones, and Theo James. The 2018 Tribeca Film Festival takes place April 18-29.

The 17th annual Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, revealed its feature film lineup championing the discovery of emerging voices and celebrating new work from established filmmaking talent. To close the Festival, Tribeca will World Premiere The Fourth Estate, from Oscar®-nominated director Liz Garbus, which follows The New York Times' coverage of the Trump administration's first year. The Centerpiece Gala will be the World Premiere of Drake Doremus' sci-fi romance Zoe starring Ewan McGregor, Lea Seydoux, Rashida Jones, and Theo James. The 2018 Tribeca Film Festival takes place April 18-29.

While it's fun to see a non-American city get destroyed every once in awhile, LONDON HAS FALLEN is no more than terrorsploitation, xenophobic destruction porn that tugs on all the right strings. Unfortunately, those strings are attached to the lowest common (American) denominator.

Offering a first look at the year ahead in independent film, culture and new ideas, Sundance Institute announced today the 65 films selected for the U.S. Competition, World Competition and out-of-competition NEXT category set to premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, January 21-31 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah. Films that have premiered in these sections include Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station,Whiplash, Blackfish, The September Issue, The Cove, An Education, Animal Kingdom, Precious, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, Obvious Child, Tangerine and Escape from Tomorrow.

USA Network takes the gold this week with 8 new episodes. In addition, be sure to visit the Political Animals Tumblr for your daily dose of quotables, memes and gifs.

Imagine being trapped high above Manhattan with eight strangers: a crooked Wall Street executive and his cronies, a Muslim security guard, a Jew who does not trust Muslims, a woman whose son was killed in Iraq, an ambitious TV reporter, a philandering playboy and the pregnant woman he dumped. And, oh yes, someone has a bomb.

Imagine being trapped high above Manhattan with eight strangers: a crooked Wall Street executive and his cronies, a Muslim security guard, a Jew who does not trust Muslims, a woman whose son was killed in Iraq, an ambitious TV reporter, a philandering playboy and the pregnant woman he dumped. And, oh yes, someone has a bomb.