The festival is scheduled to take place between 28 and 30 April, coinciding with the annual celebration of Arab Heritage Month.

Organised in the heart of Hollywood by the Hollywood Arab Film Festival Foundation, the new festival aims to provide Arab filmmakers with the opportunity to gather, create and showcase their work.

"The festival seeks introducing world cinema professionals to the Arab film industry, shedding light on its uniqueness and distinction. It also aims at discussing the challenges facing the industry and ways to develop it," reads the festival's website.

The HAFF will also create a platform through which Western audiences can directly meet with Arab filmmakers to learn more about their cultural identity and the issues they are facing.

Through its "festival market," the HAFF will also work on opening doors for Arab filmmakers to create dynamic connections with their international counterparts.

On the festival's sidelines, HAFF will also host the Omar Sharif Competition (named after the renowned Egyptian late actor) where the winners will receive free tickets to the screenings and the event's online shows.

Details about the Hollywood Arab Film Festival and its programming are yet to be revealed.

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