Deadline: 07-Sep-2025
The Masahat AFLAMUNA is accepting applications for its Community Cinemas Grant Programme Makers from Iraq to receive training, funding, and access to films.
The Masahat AFLAMUNA project is expanding its pan-Arab network of community cinemas to reach more local communities and make independent Arab films more accessible to a wider audience.
The project is launching its “Iraq edition” in partnership with the Baghdad Film Institute, inviting those interested in activating community cinema spaces to join. The initiative is based on the belief that cinema is a right for all and that films can have a constructive role in positive social impact.
The program offers a training program for 20 emerging Community Cinema Makers from Iraq, which will cover a range of topics including curation, marketing, community engagement, and technical operational skills. Selected participants will also receive a small, unrestricted grant to help equip spaces or cover the running costs of screenings. Additionally, they will gain access to a library of independent Arab films with rights cleared for free screenings.
Participants in the program are required to attend all training sessions, which will be held online at least once per week from October to December 2025. They must also commit to hosting a minimum of five film screenings between January and June 2026, using films from the provided library. Individuals who do not represent a space must have a written agreement with a host venue.
The program is open to individuals, spaces, and collectives who are residents of Iraq, are over 18 years old, and are Arabic speakers. Selection will be based on factors such as community engagement, professional background, and the feasibility of their screening plans, with priority given to underserved geographic areas and a focus on gender parity.
The selection criteria for individuals applying to the program include their engagement in the local community, the relevance of their professional background, and their personal projects and motivation. The program also prioritizes diversity across geographical locations, especially in underserved areas like rural regions and refugee camps, as well as diversity in professional backgrounds and gender parity.
For spaces and collectives, the criteria focus on their engagement in the local community, their legal status with a priority for nonprofits, and the relevance and feasibility of their proposed community screenings plan. The relevance of the space or collective’s general strategy, particularly regarding community-driven activities, is also considered. Similar to individuals, the program aims for a diversity of geographical locations with a priority for underserved areas.
For more information, visit Masahat AFLAMUNA.