Who is Mouayed Zabtia and what is he doing for Libyan cinema?

Mouayed Zabtia is a Libyan filmmaker working to revive the country's film industry by creating films, often from his home studio, due to numerous obstacles.

Why is Libyan cinema struggling after Kadhafi's fall?

Despite the end of censorship after 2011, instability and a lack of government investment and public interest have hindered the revival of Libyan cinema.

What challenges does filmmaking face in Libya today?

Filmmakers face issues like lack of governmental support, public disinterest, logistic problems for outdoor shoots, and societal sensitivities, particularly regarding the portrayal of women.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Libya's Film Future: One Man's Home Studio Fight

Libya's Film Future: One Man's Home Studio Fight

16 Jan

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Summary

Filmmaker builds home studio to overcome industry obstacles.
Libya lost all its movie theaters after 1969 coup.
Governments since 2011 have shown disinterest in film revival.

Libya's Film Future: One Man's Home Studio Fight

Libyan filmmaker Mouayed Zabtia is striving to revitalize his nation's cinematic landscape, often working from a dedicated studio within his Tripoli home. This personal endeavor is a response to significant challenges in a country where the film industry has faced severe decline. Before the 1969 coup, Tripoli boasted over twenty movie theaters; today, not a single one operates.

Following Moamer Kadhafi's overthrow in 2011, the censorship of his era lessened, but the subsequent instability and lack of governmental support have stifled any significant revival. Zabtia, who funds his films through his production company, which creates television series and wedding videos, began pursuing his lifelong dream of filmmaking only after 2011. He laments the disinterest from successive governments since then, expecting they would champion the arts.

Despite the hurdles, including logistic difficulties for outdoor shoots and societal hesitations regarding the portrayal of women, Zabtia remains hopeful. He aims to leverage platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime to showcase Libyan talent and culture to international audiences, seeking to establish a unique niche for Libyan cinema.