Four Arab films are set to be screened at a film festival to be held in Toronto next month, said a report.

The films, which will be screened at the 39th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to run from September 4 to 14, have been supported by Sanad, the development and post-production fund of Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF), said the Emirates News Agency (WAM) report.

The films will include two narratives - Theeb and The Valley, which are in the TIFF Documentaries category, which includes Iraq’s Odyssey and The Wanted 18, it said.

"This achievement is a testament to ADFF and Sanad’s success in supporting and developing international quality Arab films. It also demonstrates ADFFís continued support for filmmakers in the region,” Ali Al Jabri, director of ADFF, was quoted as saying.

"Sanad serves as a vehicle for identifying and supporting worthwhile projects and we are confident that such films will go on to create a meaningful body of work that ensures greater Arab artistic representation in contemporary world cinema. Theeb has also been selected for the Orizzonti competition at Venice Film Festival later this month; it is the only Arab feature film to be screened in the official selection of this year’s programme in Venice."

Sanad provides not only funding but support to projects starting at the development stage and continues its support until these films reach the big screens, said the report.

TIFF is considered a proving ground for the latest films, and is seen as the gateway to the US and Canadian markets for many independent film-makers from outside North America, it added.