Cherien Dabis, whose Amreeka screened in Directors’ Fortnight last night (May 19), has teamed up with a US-based private investor to form the development, financing and production company Levantine Entertainment.

The company’s mission is to make socially conscious entertainment that explores cross-cultural themes with a particular interest in the Middle East. The slate will include films by Dabis and other film-makers.

Levantine financed and served as executive producer on Amreeka, which received its world premiere in Sundance. National Geographic holds North American rights and will release in September.

Dabis’ representatives Jodi Peikoff, Dan Halsted and the William Morris Agency brokered the deal. Levantine Entertainment is represented by former California Governor Gray Davis and Craig Emanuel of Loeb & Loeb and by Gregory Keever of the financing source.

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