Cineverse Snaps Up Lebanese Oscar Entry ‘Arzé’ For U.S., UK, Canada & Other English-Lang Territories

EXCLUSIVE: Fresh from its Terrifier 3 box office success, next-gen entertainment studio Cineverse has acquired English-speaking distribution rights for Mira Shaib’s Lebanese Academy Award entry Arzé.

Cineverse will distribute the film across its wide distribution footprint – including its own streaming channel Fandor – in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

Cineverse will distribute the film across its wide distribution footprint – including its own streaming channel Fandor – in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

The deal was brokered by the film’s Cairo and L.A.-based executive producer and international rights-holder Ambient Light Films, which has also sold the film to Indonesia (PT Falcon) and ex-Yugoslavia (Discovery Film & Video Distribution).

Arzé is Shaib’s feature film debut. It is based on a screenplay by Faissal Sam Shaib and Louay Khraish – who also take a producer credits. Zeina Badran at Spotless Mind Films lead produced the film with Ali El Arabi at Ambient Light Films and Tarek Al Naama on board as executive producers.

The drama follows titular single mother Arzé who takes her teenage son on a journey across sectarian Beirut in search of their stolen scooter, their only source of livelihood.  It stars Diamand Abou Abboud, known for her role in the Oscar-nominated The Insult alongside Betty Taoutel, and Bilal Al Hamwi.

“Arzé is a prime example of the type of cinema we covet at Fandor. An impressively assured feature debut by Mira Shaib, Arzé is a stunning exploration of personal identity and collective history,” said Eric Rowe, Executive Director of Programming at Cineverse.

“Astutely navigating the complexities of social and political change through a deeply personal framework, Arzé establishes Mira Shaib as a bold, exciting new voice in global cinema that we can’t wait to share with audiences this spring,” he added.

The agreements were negotiated by Sasha Manning on behalf of Ambient Light Films alongside Brandon Hill and Anujit Ghosh on behalf of Cineverse for the English-speaking multi-territory deal.

“Partnering with these dedicated distributors is an exciting step in our mission to share authentic voices from the Middle East and Africa on a world stage. We hope audiences in all regions will connect with Arzé’s journey and perhaps see reflections of their own experiences in her story,” said Ambient Light’s Al Arabi.

The filmmaker and producer is currently gearing up for the launch of his soccer drama 52 Blue on the festival circuit in early 2025.