MBC launches Hollywood training collaboration

Training to be provided by University of Southern California and key Hollywood figures who have worked on 'The Simpsons', 'Gladiator' and more

'The Simpsons' writer and producer David Isaacs is among the Hollywood talent working with MBC. AP Photo / Fox

MBC Group has launched the Creative Communities Collaboration (CCC), a public-private association of global media and entertainment executives to strengthen ties and partnerships between the MENA region and the Hollywood entertainment industry.

CCC members met at an exclusive event  in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles during which 17 Arab television writers and producers graduated from specialised workshops at the University of Southern California (USC) School of Cinematic Arts.

Since 2016, MBC Group has partnered with the private media school and a number of Hollywood executives and showrunners to organise high-level entertainment industry gatherings and professional exchange programmes on the role of media in promoting tolerance through positive storytelling in the Arab world.

Ali Jaber, MBC Group TV Director, commented: “These cross-cultural initiatives are crucial to us, particularly in this current media climate. We want to provide the opportunity for both US and MENA TV production entities to discover and work with one another’s talent and provide opportunities for younger generations that were not previously available.”

Jaber added: “We believe in the power of positive storytelling and the effect it has on communities in the Arab world. Through the Creative Communities Collaboration, we aspire to provide new opportunities for inspirational stories to come to life via the medium of television.”

Elizabeth M Daley, Dean of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, continued: “Our joint initiatives focus on bringing cultures together. Our specialised workshops focus on finding the common ground in what unites us, sharing best practices, values and mutual understanding between both communities. We look forward to further working with MBC Group on the new Creative Communities Collaboration.”

MBC Group is seeking creative partners to produce world-class content based on stories from the region with international appeal and supporting future generations to build modern, globally-engaged societies.

Hollywood figures who have so far worked alongside MBC on the programme so far include David Franzoni, writer for Gladiator, King Arthur and Amistad and David Isaacs, writer and producer on TV shows including The Simpsons, M*A*S*H, Cheers and Frasier.