try and find something

a new writing program at theatro technis @ 26 crowndale in assocation with hyphen artist collective Show Up and Write As our first residency initiative with Theatro Technis @26 Crowndale, MENA Arts UK is working with Hyphen Artist Collective to run in-person & online sessions for writers called : SHOW UP & WRITE A series of sessions where writers attend in-person or Zoom sessions and simply write for three hours and then come together for one hour to connect and discuss all things writing. Often our busy schedules distract us from finding time to commit to writing what we want to write. SHOW UP & WRITE gives us the chance to commit and stick to that commitment. Writing can be a lonely pursuit; this opportunity gives us a chance to write in a community. IN PERSON: Attend a 3-hour free-writing session at Theatro Technis (26 Crowndale Rd, NW1 1TT). Then come together for an additional hour to discuss all things writing: challenges & successes. We are capping the in-person sessions to 12 writers based on the space provided. ZOOM: Check in at the top of the session with a wave at 1pm. Microphones off for the 3-hour writing period, but we encourage you to keep your camera on to stay on task. Then stay after for the hour discussion. Zoom sessions will be capped at 30 writers. COST: No cost! Free to join! WHEN: Sunday, February 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th 2023 1pm to 4pm: Writing - 4pm to 5pm: Community session/discussion Discussions will be facilitated by MENA Arts UK Steering Group & Hyphen Artist Collective members. Please try to be available for all sessions, but we understand if you need to miss one. HOW TO APPLY: We welcome all MENA+ writers and/or writers with a “hyphenated” artist skill set or cultural background to apply. Writers of all levels and experience are welcome. Please email HyphenArtistCollective@gmail.com sharing a bit about yourself with your contact information and whether you wish to attend in-person or Zoom sessions. We’d love to hear about what you’re working on or the challenges/successes you’re facing in the UK Arts Industry.

The MENA Arts UK competition to designed to support emerging Middle Eastern and North African professionals in the performing and recorded arts. It will celebrate and showcase their work. competition time (is now closed) winners announcement here We are thrilled to announce a competition alongside the launch of our online directory . We will be commissioning eight artists (or teams of artists) with a connection to the Middle East, North Africa and surrounding areas to capture their work on film. Each winner will receive £1000 to create a one minute (60 seconds) work that is filmed, responding to the question: ‘How should the MENA+ arts community celebrate what we have in common?’ This commission is open to MENA+ artists working in any field. You don’t have to be a film-maker: you just have to be able to capture your work digitally. We encourage applications from all artists working in the live and recorded arts, whether you’re a poet, playwright, performer, director, musician, sound designer, dancer, film-maker, animator, multimedia artist, puppeteer - or anything else that can be captured on film. Recordings can be done through any medium (eg smartphone, camera, or digital software), although we would expect them to be of broadcast quality. Submissions are open to members of the MENA Arts UK directory. Signing up is free, and can be done here . (Please note: if applying as a team, each artist must be signed up to the database). We have assembled a panel of industry professionals to serve as judges and select the winning applicants. These are: Sepy Baghaei Hannah Khalil Sabrina Mahfouz Saeed Taji Farouky Richard Saker Simeon Qsyeaa Greg Morrison Dan Milnor The winning commissions will be released digitally in March 2021, alongside a Q&A with the artists behind each film. Applying Applications are now open until 29th December at 12pm . We will inform all app licants of the result of their applications on 11th January, 2021. Selected artists will have from 12th January to 15th February to create their work and send it to us. The commissioned works will be released digitally in March 2021. If you are thinking of applying, we have created an application pack that should tell you everything you need to know: For a PDF of the application pack, click For a word document version, click Click on the play icon to listen to an audio version here here 00:00 / 07:17 You can apply by filling out an online form. We recognise that written forms may not be suitable for everyone, so you can also apply via a voice recording OR a visual presentation. Details on what is required for each format is in the application pack. To apply: Click here to submit a written application form Click here to submit a voice recording application Click here to submit a visual application Contact If you have any questions about the commission, or if you’re not sure if this opportunity is right for you, please get in touch with Sepy Baghaei, head judge and Co-Vice Chair of MENA Arts UK at info@menaarts.uk

MENA Arts UK have events that support, develop and grow Middle Eastern and North African live and performing arts professionals. Here will will find workshops, industry talks and developemnt oppurtunities for our community. town hall and workshops

MENA Arts UK has commissioned eight, one-minute films. Watch them here. film commissions In December 20 20 we invited artists and filmmakers across the UK to conceive a new one-minute film, exploring the question: How should the MENA+ arts community celebrate what we have in common? The result is eight enchanting, joyful, and thought-provoking films spanning animation, music, poetry, dance, installation and comedy. missed our live launch event? watch that here. watch all 8 films in our selected order digital programme here subtitles in English audio described subtitles in a language of the filmmakers' choosing or watch all 8 films individually A Cube in Love by Majid Adin A Cube In Love tells a symbolic story of a journey from ancient wisdom to love, from love to truth, and truth to creation. Majid Adin studied fine art and animation in Iran, where he was arrested because of the political nature of his work. He fled his country and arrived in the UK in 2016. He now lives in London and works as an artist. He won a prestigious competition to create the official music video for Sir Elton John’s ‘Rocket Man’. He is currently working on his first graphic novel, ‘Hamid and Shakespeare’ which will be published in April 2021. link to directory profile subtitles in English & Farsi audio described extra version: narration in Farsi Mrs El Araby by May Ziadé Mrs El Araby explores the restricted space within which Arab women are allowed to exist in white Western media. May Ziade is French-Lebanese and works on other people's films and her own. She has written stories and poems that were adapted into comics and short films, and worked as a producer’s assistant on high-budget productions. She is currently working on her first short-film, 'Neo-Nahda'. link to directory profile subtitles in English & Classical Arabic audio described Intimate Births by Bint Mbareh Mushrooms facilitate death in many ecosystems: they ensure death is a transformation rather than an ending. Bint Mbareh's film juxtaposes this momentous event - dying - with shared everyday places and acts to posit that death/transformation is a daily practice and can be conducive to growth if it is removed from taboo. Bint Mbareh is a first-time filmmaker with experience in television production, songwriting and an interest in sound. Her most recent research was an exploration of how rain-summoning song and ritual in Palestine acted and may continue to act as a ritual of time-bending. Several installations and performances down the line, the singer was offered the MENA Arts UK grant to explore death with the Palestinian sonic and musical tradition in mind. link to directory profile subtitles in English & Palestinian Arabic audio described Robin Clewle Kiss Between Our Borders by Amina Atiq Kiss Between our Borders is a metaphorical & historical love story between an Ethiopian coffee plant and Yemeni farmer. Home lives between our walls and it never left - we left home. Amina Atiq is a Yemeni–Scouse poet, performance artist and activist. Award winning for her active & community engagement work, Curious Minds Young Associate for and BBC Words First Finalist 19. She is currently writing her first one-woman show, Broken Biscuits to explore her gran-mothers 1970s Yemeni- Scouse household to untangle what it means to be British. She is currently a remote writer in residence with Queensland Poetry Festival and Metal Southend. link to directory profile subtitles in English & Yemeni Arabic audio described Unveil Your Eyes by Maral Mamaghanizadeh Unveil Your Eyes is the expression of my experience as a Deaf refugee moving to the UK, acknowledging that I still see my life and my home town of Birmingham through the lens and experiences of my upbringing in Iran and the Middle East. Maral Mamaghanizadeh is a Deaf Iranian artist. Her work explores the barriers she encounters in everyday life, being Deaf, female and a refugee. Maral communicates through her artworks, combining feminism and cultural politics. In 2017, Maral became a political refugee as her work, ‘The Politics of Voice; The Tale of Tresses’ directly challenged the patriarchal society in Iran. Her work continues to challenge stereotypes, break boundaries and open people’s hearts and minds. link to directory profile subtitles in English & Farsi audio described Third Culture Glitch by Jida Akil Third Culture Glitch is an interpretation of reconnecting with cultural roots as a foreigner to one's heritage. The film visualises the process of exploring cultural heritage–in my case Syria–through model-making and stop-motion. Jida Akil is a Syrian/Lebanese early-career theatre designer currently based between London & Cyprus. She designs set & costume for both theatre and dance with a design-led devising approach. The themes of her work often revolve around political and socio-economic issues which also explore dramaturgy inspired by lived experience. Jida is currently completing her bachelor's degree in Performance Design at Central Saint Martins. link to directory profile subtitles in English & Classical Arabic audio described Darbouka by Nooriyah Qais Darbouka is a physical conversation between three Middle Eastern and North African dancers who are geographically separate yet connected by the beat of the drums. Celebrating three dance disciplines that express different parts of their identities, they unite through the heartbeat of the region, the darbouka. Nooriyah Qais is a DJ, presenter and filmmaker. As a DJ, she is known for playing upbeat popular records infused with Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) sounds, paying homage to her heritage. She is currently a MENA specialist resident at Foundation FM and Plus 1 Radio. As a filmmaker, she explores the themes of home, culture and gender with films showcased at the V&A Museum, Liverpool Arab Arts festival and more. link to directory profile subtitles in English & Modern Standard Arabic audio described extra version: final credits in Arabic Ray Roberts The Art of Uprising by Peyvand Sadeghian The Art of Uprising is a celebration of the ability amongst diasporic artists to imagine different futures. Peyvand Sadeghian is an Actor, Puppeteer and Theatre Maker born, bred and based in London to Iranian and Chinese parents. Recent credits include: DUAL دوگانه (Vault Festival Show of the Week 2020), Rich Kids: A History of Shopping Malls in Tehran (Fringe First 2019). Although she has experience in front of the screen, this will be her first time making a short film. link to directory profile subtitles in English & Farsi audio described Our thanks go to our judges: Sabrina Mahfouz (playwright/poet), Hannah Khalil (playwright), Saeed Taji Farouky (film director), Sepy Baghaei (theatre director, head judge, and MENA Arts UK co-vice chair). If you like what we are doing, please consider making a donation. No amount is too small.

sign our open letter click to sign On March 23rd 2021, Focus Features announced that it had picked up worldwide distribution rights to Timur Bekmambetov’s thriller Profile , a film which first premiered in 2018. It tells the following story: ‘An undercover British journalist infiltrates the online propaganda channels of the so-called Islamic State, only to be sucked in by her recruiter.’ 9th April 2021 #EnoughIsEnough For the attention of Focus Features (distributors), Timur Bekmambetov (director, co-writer, producer), Mariya Zatulovskaya, Igor Tsay, Rick Sobalvarro and Adam Sidman (executive producers). We’re not surprised that a film like Profile exists. There is growing statistical evidence and research to support what our communities have always anecdotally known to be true: there is an obvious media bias towards narratives about Middle Eastern, North African, South Asian and Muslim people which centre war, oppression, displacement, and terrorism. What’s disappointing is that despite the widespread societal reckoning with systemic racism following the Black Lives Matter movement and Stop Asian Hate campaign, Focus Features has decided to acquire Profile for worldwide distribution next month - three years after the film originally premiered in 2018. This is a glaring example of opportunistic profiteering which contradicts Focus Features’ stated mission to “inspire human connection” through diverse storytelling. Just because Profile is based on the true story of a journalistic investigation does not mean this subject needs to be revisited - yet again. Radicalisation has destroyed lives and destabilised countries. We don’t need to “wait and see” the film to know that it will not meaningfully address the complex socioeconomic causes of radicalisation in young people. The marketing alone relies on damaging tropes without any regard for the harm this will cause. When audiences only know to associate us with violence and oppression, it becomes easier for politicians to subject us to inhumane immigration enforcement , disproportionate surveillance and religious persecution through blatantly racist and Islamophobic legislation. A terrorist character doesn’t amount to racism or Islamophobia, but we need to consider Profile within the repetitive media spotlighting of narratives which foster prejudice and hate towards our communities. Every negative portrayal - and there are far more than most people realise - chips away at our humanity and safety while reinforcing our perceived “otherness”. USC Annenberg’s study into Inequality in 1300 popular films between 2007-2019 found that the prevalence of Middle Eastern and North African characters on screen was never higher than 3.4% . Only 1.9% of Netflix’s original series creators were from Middle Eastern and North African backgrounds. In 2018 (when Profile premiered), 47% of all religious hate crime offences registered in England and Wales targeted Muslims . When the statistics are so abysmal, it’s never been more urgent to counter decades of hateful representation with nuanced narratives. We hope that Focus Features uses this opportunity to reflect and reconsider their distribution of Profile . It’s time for creators, commissioners and media gatekeepers to reevaluate their hiring practices in order to help rewrite the narrative. There are many organisations, including MENA Arts UK, advocating for artists who are ready to tell stories that inspire, celebrate and spotlight our rich cultural diversity. Enough is enough. sources: Focus Features takes world on Timur Bekmambetov ISIS thriller ‘Profile’ Terrorists & Tyrants: Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Actors in Prime Time & Streaming Television From mute to menacing: why TV's portrayal of Muslims still falls short Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies A People Home Office to send more asylum seekers to ‘unsuitable’ Napier barracks Calls grow for Bloomberg to apologise for surveillance of Muslims Colonial mindset is behind France’s latest attempt to ban the hijab USC Annenberg Study: Inequality in 1300 popular films between 2007 - 2019 Inclusion in Netflix Original U.S. Scripted Series & Films Home Office Hate Crime Report 2018 - 2019 click to sign signed by: title / organisation Sola Adeyemi Lecturer Zambrine saeed Graphic designer Niranjana rajesh Student MR DAVID M MUMENI Actor/Writer Laila Abdo Actor, Writer Ahmed Mohamed Shawky Mohamed Aka ( Aki Shawky) Filmmaker/ camera man / Production assistant PA Marwa Morgan Journalist Nabra Nelson Director and playwright Brandon Kirk Set Dresser Soumia Fares Design Researcher Sara Marhamo Kirk Costume Draper Ruba Mansouri Actor Dina El-Aziz Costume Designer N AL Student: University Fatima Serghini Writer Zoey Cronin student Reyna Christine Moniz ____ Emily Holmes Student Rumayssa Student Maaheen Adnan Health care worker view more names click to sign

The MENA Arts UK competition to designed to support emerging Middle Eastern and North African professionals in the performing and recorded arts. It will celebrate and showcase their work. we have had four town hall to date the first two were for us to work out a bit more what our community might want from us.

MENA Arts UK have events that support, develop and grow Middle Eastern and North African live and performing arts professionals. Here will will find workshops, industry talks and developemnt oppurtunities for our community. comingsoon click to book this friday - film premiere. book to watch the films here read more about our film makers here

MENA Arts UK have events that support, develop and grow Middle Eastern and North African live and performing arts professionals. Here will will find workshops, industry talks and developemnt oppurtunities for our community. catch up with Sally El Hosaini Sally El Hosaini, a feature film writer / director whose acclaimed debut feature, My Brother The Devil, picked up major prizes at Sundance, Berlin and London Film Festivals. In conversation with Arian Nik

PRIVACY POLICY Privacy policy, Terms & Conditions for MENA Arts UK mailing list TERMS & CONDITIONS ‘The newsletter’ refers to the MENA Arts UK fortnightly newsletter. ‘Users’ refers to registered users of this service. ‘Members’ refers to registered members of MENA Arts UK who may or may not also be subscribed to the newsletter. By subscribing to our mailing list, you agree to receive newsletters and other correspondence from us. The aim of the newsletter service is to keep our members and users updated on our work as well as to link them to opportunities within the industry and to external resources we believe are of use and/or interest to our community and to start or continue conversations with our membership on events within the arts. Subscription to the newsletter is not mandatory The newsletter is managed by the MENA Arts UK Membership Liaison. Any queries about the mailing list, as well as requests to include information or opportunities in the newsletter, can be sent to members@menaarts.uk . The frequency of the newsletter will be fortnightly. In the event that a large number of opportunities for the members are sent to us, or a specifically time-sensitive opportunity is sent to us, an additional newsletter will be sent out. We reserve the right to either modify or discontinue the newsletter at any time with or without notice. We will not be liable to any third party should we exercise such right. Any new features that augment or enhance the newsletter under the above aims wills also be subject to these terms of use. We reserve the right to unsubscribe users from our newsletter service without notice. We will do so with any subscriber we deem to be registered with fake data. Upon registration, you will receive an email confirming your subscription to the newsletter. You have the right to remove yourself from the newsletter subscription at any time. If you wish to unsubscribe, you can do this either by clicking the unsubscribe button at the bottom of the newsletter or by emailing members@menaarts.uk with a request to be removed from the list. Should you unsubscribe from the newsletter, your Personal Information will be removed from our mailing list. PRIVACY POLICY This privacy policy sets out how MENA Arts UK uses and protects any information that you give to us for the purposes of delivering the newsletter and other email correspondence. MENA ARTS UK is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. We require certain Personal Information to deliver this service. All Personal Information collected will only be used to in accordance with GDPR rules and for the purposes laid out in our Terms & Conditions. This information will never be shared with any third parties without your express written consent. MENA ARTS UK may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. You should check this page from time to time to ensure that you are happy with any changes. This policy is effective from 11th November 2020. What we collect: contact information including name and email address. This includes any ‘profile picture’ you have uploaded to your email client. Security – We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online, in accordance with GDPR rules. MailChimp (the email client used by MENA ARTS UK to deliver the newsletter) uses encryption to protect your information. Any queries about how your information is held by MENA ARTS UK – including information on our procedures – can be directed to the Company Secretary at info@menaarts.uk . Requests for details of the Personal Information we hold on you can also be made through this address. Links to other websites – The newsletter will periodically contain links to other websites of interest or to specific pages of information. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question. Policy for Children – If you are a MENA+ artist/creative/other industry worker who is under 18, we will require express written consent from your Parent/Guardian to add your information to our mailing list and deliver the newsletter. We are currently unable to hold any information on children under age 13. If you become aware of any information we have collected from children under age 13, please contact us immediately at info@menaarts.uk . All Parents/Guardians must be aware that we share opportunities from within our industry, some of which may include details of sensitive topics and it is up to each Parent/Guardian to determine the suitability of the newsletter for their child. If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please email us as soon as possible, at info@menaarts.uk . We will promptly correct any information found to be incorrect.

MENA Arts UK have events that support, develop and grow Middle Eastern and North African live and performing arts professionals. Here will will find workshops, industry talks and developemnt oppurtunities for our community. catch up with Amir El-Masry Amir El-Masry , an award winning British Egyptian actor who has most recently been named a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit and earned a Best Actor nomination for his lead performance in the critically acclaimed feature film, Limbo, talks to Laura Hanna.

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MENA Arts UK latest news on our competition winners, including our eight artists and their work. competition winners Sepy Baghaei, an Iranian theatre director who serves as Co-Vice Chair for MENA Arts UK announces our winners: “We received 53 applications for the competition, and were blown away by the high standard, creativity and ambition of all the ideas submitted. Our winning eight ideas are an eclectic mix, and feature animation, set design, poetry and music. Their makers are from all around the country - including Liverpool and the West Midlands - and are connected to MENA regions including Iran, Palestine, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon. I am so excited to see these films come to life, and to share their celebrations of MENA+ identity with a wider audience.” top row left to right Amina Atiq Photo credit: Robin Clewle Bint Mbareh Jida Akil Majid Adin bottom row left to right Maral Mamaghanizadeh May Ziade Nooriyah Qais Peyvand Sadeghian Photo credit: Ray Roberts watch the films here Amina Atiq is a Yemeni–Scouse poet, performance artist and activist. Award winning for her active & community engagement work, Curious Minds Young Associate for and BBC Words First Finalist 19. She is currently writing her first one-woman show, Broken Biscuits to explore her gran-mothers 1970s Yemeni- Scouse household to untangle what it means to be British. She is currently a remote writer in residence with Queensland Poetry Festival and Metal Southend. Bint Mbareh is a first-time filmmaker with experience in television production, songwriting and an interest in sound. Her most recent research was an exploration of how rain-summoning song and ritual in Palestine acted and may continue to act as a ritual of time-bending. Several installations and performances down the line, the singer was offered the MENA Arts UK grant to explore death with the Palestinian sonic and musical tradition in mind. Jida Akil is a Syrian/Lebanese early-career theatre designer currently based between London & Cyprus. She designs set & costume for both theatre and dance with a design-led devising approach. The themes of her work often revolve around political and socio-economic issues which also explore dramaturgy inspired by lived experience. Jida is currently completing her bachelor's degree in Performance Design at Central Saint Martins. Majid Adin studied fine art and animation in Iran, where he was arrested because of the political nature of his work. He fled his country and arrived in the UK in 2016. He now lives in London and works as an artist. He won a prestigious competition to create the official music video for Sir Elton John’s ‘Rocket Man’. He is currently working on his first graphic novel, ‘Hamid and Shakespeare’ which will be published in April 2021. Maral Mamaghanizadeh is a Deaf Iranian artist. Her work explores the barriers she encounters in everyday life, being Deaf, female and a refugee. Maral communicates through her artworks, combining feminism and cultural politics. In 2017, Maral became a political refugee as her work, ‘The Politics of Voice; The Tale of Tresses’ directly challenged the patriarchal society in Iran. Her work continues to challenge stereotypes, break boundaries and open people’s hearts and minds. May Ziade is French-Lebanese and works on other people's films and her own. She has written stories and poems that were adapted into comics and short films, and worked as a producer’s assistant on high-budget productions. She is currently working on her first short-film, 'Neo-Nahda'. Nooriyah Qais is a DJ, presenter and filmmaker. As a DJ, she is known for playing upbeat popular records infused with Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) sounds, paying homage to her heritage. She is currently a MENA specialist resident at Foundation FM and Plus 1 Radio. As a filmmaker, she explores the themes of home, culture and gender with films showcased at the V&A Museum, Liverpool Arab Arts festival and more. Peyvand Sadeghian is an Actor, Puppeteer and Theatre Maker born, bred and based in London to Iranian and Chinese parents. Recent credits include: DUAL دوگانه (Vault Festival Show of the Week 2020), Rich Kids: A History of Shopping Malls in Tehran (Fringe First 2019). Although she has experience in front of the screen, this will be her first time making a short film. Our exciting panel of industry professionals judging panel also comprising of Sabrina Mahfouz (playwright/poet), Hannah Khalil (playwright), Saeed Taji Farouky (film director). This work has been supported by the Film and TV Charity and Arts Council England. read full press release here get our free newsletter * these fields are required submit I accept terms & conditions. View terms here. If you like what we are doing, please consider making a donation. No amount is too small.

MENA Arts UK broadcast live the premiere screening of 8 new commissioned films. catch up with our live launch broadcast of 8 new film commissions 26 March: Shireen Farkhoy & Sepy Baghaei host this live broadcast where we present for the first time our eight winning films. Watch them below and meet the filmmakers, too. Or watch each film individually here .

Value Statement | MENA Arts UK. The MENA Arts UK value statement making sure our diverse organisation is safe and welcoming for everyone. value statement April 2021 We are a not-for-profit arts organisation based in the UK for professionals connected to the Middle East, North Africa or the surrounding area (MENA+). Our purpose is to bring people together, celebrate what connects us, spotlight our achievements, help our membership thrive, and lobbying for appropriate representation within the British live and recorded arts industry. Our organisation is built on diversity, inclusivity, and creativity. We are acutely aware that our membership is affected by challenges both in the UK and the MENA+ region. It is important for our organisation to recognise these. • We wish to see an end to the structural and institutionalised oppression of people in the MENA+ region, whether by their governments or occupying forces. Where people are subject to oppression and occupation, we support the adoption of boycotts as a legitimate tool to bring these to a halt and our members' rights to join such boycotts. • We wish to see an end to imperialism and colonialism in the MENA+ region. • We wish to see an end to the destruction of land in the MENA+ region. • We wish to see the end of biased and disproportionate policing/surveillance of MENA+ people. • We wish to see the self-determination of the people in the MENA+ region. • We wish to see freedom, justice and equality for the Palestinian people. We believe that specifying the freedom of the Palestinian people does not negate any other conflict in the MENA+ region and that long-term stability in the MENA+ region is interlinked with the resolution of this long-running occupation in accordance with international law. "We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians." (Nelson Mandela) MENA Arts UK was formed as a safe space for MENA+ artists to connect, be creative, and grow. We will work tirelessly to keep our spaces safe and believe that our creative endeavours can bring people together for lasting positive change. We do not associate individual members with the actions of the government in their country (or countries) of origin. We reserve the right to suspend or remove any directory member who promotes any form of prejudice or hate. • We will not tolerate anti-Blackness. • We will not tolerate antisemitism. • We will not tolerate Islamophobia. • We will not tolerate discrimination based on ethnicity or nationality. • We will not tolerate discrimination based on religious beliefs or faith. • We will not tolerate discrimination against women. • We will not tolerate discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. • We will not tolerate discrimination based on age or class. • We will not tolerate discrimination against D/deaf, disabled or neurodiverse people. • We will not tolerate discrimination against migrants, refugees or asylum seekers. MENA Arts UK is a new organisation bringing together our communities in a way that has not been done before in the UK. We will carefully consider our funding sources and plan to register as a charity in England and Wales. As we grow this document will evolve.

Submission Callout: Short Film Screening We are thrilled to announce an exclusive opportunity for our filmmaker members! In partnership with new independent cinema The Garden Cinema and film magazine and screening platform Mydylarama, we will be hosting a screening of new short films made by our members. This will be a ticketed event open to industry and the public and a wonderful opportunity to share and platform your work. So, if you have a short film you would like to submit, please email us at info@menaarts.uk with FILM SUBMISSION in the subject line and include: a short biography and/or link to a CV/website Synopsis & information about your film, including any previous festival submissions/screenings A link to watch the film Deadline for submissions is 10th August 2023. You will hear back from us by 30th September 2023 if your submission has been successful. The screening will take place on a date tbc in January 2024. This is an opportunity exclusively for our directory members, but if you are not yet a directory member, all you have to do to join is create a profile (for free!) and then submit your film!

Learn how to support the work of MENA Arts UK. With your support, we can continue to offer meaningful and lasting support for UK professionals working in the live and recorded arts, connected to Middle East, North Africa, and the surrounding area. support us many reasons to give. “Just wanted to thank you again- I just had my first creative nonfiction piece published by The New Statesman. had you not informed me of a writing chance in the newsletter I would not have applied for it and I wouldn’t find myself on this new creative journey. So many thanks for MENA and underrepresented voices to be heard" - Anonymous Dec 2021 We have just come to the end of our first season of work. In a short 8 months, we have launched a new organization with a steering group, professional directory, fortnightly newsletter, and a series of town halls, workshops, and eight new commissioned films from our membership. Thousands of people have engaged with us from around the UK and our impact has been felt internationally. We have started to change hearts and minds, reminding the UK live and recording arts that we are here. And our members have had new opportunities because we have been able to make connections in ways that have never been possible before. The small grants we have already been awarded from the Film and TV Charity, and Arts Council England are very welcome, but they only go so far. We need to do more and be able to provide more exciting programming in the future. This is why we are launching a campaign to raise £20,000. Raising these funds will allow MENA Arts UK to continue the exciting and crucial journey we have embarked on. It will allow us to provide our membership with more events, commission more exciting work from our MENA+ communities, and provide us with support in the day-to-day costs of running an arts organisation like ours. We would not be able to do any of this work were it not for you. No amount is too small and any amount helps! We thank you for your support. our Go Fund Me page our Olive Friends Scheme

19 March: Khyam Allami , an Iraqi-British multi-instrumentalist musician, composer, researcher and founder of Nawa Recordings. All Hangouts are free to attend, but registration is essential. Sign up to each event individually by clicking on the hyperlinks above! text results

an open letter to the producers of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Mission Statement | MENA Arts UK 2.0. The MENA Arts UK mission is to celebrate, adovate and develop Middle Eastern and North African live and performing arts professionals. mission statement September 2020 MENA+ professionals in the UK Live & Recorded Arts (Middle East, North Africa and surrounding area) We are a UK-based not-for-profit Arts organisation for professionals who work in Live & Recorded Arts and are connected to the Middle East, North Africa or the surrounding area. We seek: VISION For MENA+ professionals to shape, and thrive in, the UK Live & Recorded Arts. MISSION Increasing access to opportunities of employment. Celebrate the talent of the membership. Be at the heart of conversations around our identity. Be our own support network. Lobby for the appropriate representation. Advocate for change. ACTIONS (live and evolving) Increasing access to opportunities of employment Have an easy to use website that showcases the members and their skills. Proactively connect employers to our members. Seek out and share job opportunities for MENA+ talent. Celebrate the talent of the membership Have a vibrant online presence through social media platforms and our website. Organise events to showcase the collective power of the membership. Be at the heart of conversations around our identity Share members’ achievements. Cultivate partnerships with print and online media to get MENA+ stories commissioned. Cultivate relationships with funders, academics and policymakers to increase visibility. To lead on education and learning around our collective and individual histories. Be our own support network Have regular events that facilitate connections and collaboration between members. Organise bespoke training events. Distribute information on external events, training or articles that may be of interest. Lobby for the appropriate representation. Use social media to amplify the work of MENA Arts UK. Organise events where we can help shape public opinion about the membership. Audit the current landscape and expose the barriers. Advocate for change. Populate as many platforms as we can to get our voice heard. Build alliances with our industry Unions and other trade associations. VALUES Be inclusive and welcoming. Focus on our creativity and the positives that link us together. Acknowledge our diverse, and sometimes conflicting opinions. Not shy away from lobbying on issues the membership wants to address. Defend our members’ right to activism outside of this group. Be mindful not to put ourselves in competition with other marginalised groups. THE SMALL PRINT MENA+ stands for Middle East, North Africa and the surrounding area. We acknowledge this acronym may be problematic to some. We are using it for now and have an open approach to developing the term in the future. We are a membership organisation. A member is anyone who identifies as belonging to this group through, but not limited to, receiving emails, participating in events and making use of our services. We are a not-for-profit organisation with ambitions to be a registered charity. We are governed by an elected steering group that includes a company secretary, treasurer, chairperson and two vice-chairs. We will hold onto all member data in full compliance with GDPR guidelines. Our position on endorsement One of our main areas of work is to help connect the creative industries with UK MENA+ talent, so we will always share castings, job opportunities, or marketing information. We will track these projects in the hope that they are a great example of how MENA+ talent is used. But by sharing this information, it should not be seen as an endorsement of the project. We will call out work that is appropriating a MENA+ narrative and does not have MENA+ talent at the heart of the creative process; and we will always champion, front and centre, work that is made for and by MENA+ talent.