Every year, Arab filmmakers send out a number of submissions to the Oscars, but have - and not for lack of exceptional talent - seen a small number of nominations and an even smaller number of wins.
The 89th Annual Academy Awards are set to take place this Sunday.
Just like every year, a number of submissions were made to compete under Best Foreign Language Film category - from Saudi Arabia's >Barakah meets Barakah to >Egypt's Eshtebak (Clash). But, none actually made it to the final nominations' list.
However, there is one film from the Middle East that did. Iranian film The Salesmen - directed by Asghar Farhadi - has been nominated.
Despite the difficulties - the region hasn't failed to leave a lasting impression.
Here are 7 of the most memorable Oscar moments:
1. When Youssef Chahine's film became the first ever Arab film to be considered for the award in 1959
Youssef Chahine's universally acclaimed film and magnum opus "Cairo Station" was the first Arab and the first African film to be considered for the award in 1959, and subsequently the first to miss out on the nomination.
Chahine's film depicts a love triangle between three complex characters working in Cairo's train station. It starred Hend Rostom, Farid Chawky and Chahine himself.
2. When the French-Algerian film "Z" became the first ever Arab film to win an Oscar in 1970
Although this film didn't tell an Arab story nor did it star Arab actors, it was co-produced by Algerian producer Ahmed Rachedi.
The 1969 film is based on the 1966 novel - presenting an account of the events surrounding the assassination of the democratic Greek politician Grigoris Lambrakis in 1963.
"Z" was also the first film to ever get a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Picture.
3. When Jordan got its first Oscar nomination in 2016
Jordan's highly acclaimed film "Theeb " was the country's first ever film to get an >Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
That year, it became the fourth Arabic-language film to be nominated for the award.
The film was directed and co-written by Jordanian director Naji Abu Nowar, and was considered the only submission from the Middle East and North Africa in the running for the foreign-language film category.
The drama is a coming-of-age tale that tells the story of a young Bedouin boy named Theeb who goes on a remarkable journey through the Arabian desert during World War I to guide a British officer to his destination.
The film was credited as being the “first Bedouin Western."
4. When Saudi Arabia submitted its first ever film in 2014
The first film to ever represent Saudi Arabia was Haifaa Al Mansour's "Wadjda" (2014).
Although it didn't secure a nomination, it was a legendary step forward for the kingdom.
Saudi director Mahmoud Sabbagh followed in the footsteps of Mansour, submitting ">Barakah Meets Barakah" - the kingdom's second-ever entry at the Academy Awards, competing under the Best Foreign Language Film category.
Sabbagh's film did not get a nomination either - but that's not going to stop him or others from trying.
Cinemas in Saudi Arabia have been banned since the 1980s. However, despite restrictions on artistic expression, Saudi nationals are still working to find a voice in film.
Recently, Abu Dhabi's film and TV production company Image Nation announced plans to help Saudi Arabia build a TV and film industry. Officials are currently negotiating plans to do so, in line with the kingdom's Vision 2030.
5. When Omar El Sharif scored a legendary nomination for "Lawrence of Arabia"
Legendary Egyptian actor Omar Sharif is widely known for his role in "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962), where he played the iconic Sherif Ali - which earned him a nomination in 1963 under the Best Actor in a Supporting Role category.
He didn't take home the Oscar award, but did win four Golden Globe awards.
6. This creative "Arabs Crash Hollywood" campaign created to support Arab films at the Oscars in 2014
In 2014, Syrian graphic designer Michel Achkar gave the official movie posters of Oscar-nominated films a complete classical Arab makeover in an attempt to support Arab films at the Academy Awards including Omar Movie, The Square and Karama Has No Walls.
The posters were created as part of a campaign for Cinemoz, a video on-demand platform in the Arab world.
His posters made the rounds all over social media and ultimately became an annual tradition for Cinemoz.
"What started as a campaign to support Arab Films nominated for the Oscars last year, has been voted to become a Cinemoz tradition," said Achkar, >according to BananaPook.
7. When ... "what about the first Oscar" became a thing
During the 88th Annual Academy Awards (2016) - everybody was talking about Leonardo DiCaprio's long-awaited win.
But, in the Arab world everybody was talking about Egyptian journalist Shaimaa Abdel Moneim who stole some of DiCaprio's spotlight.
During a press conference following DiCaprio's win, the journalist >asked the actor "what about the first Oscar?" A confused DiCaprio asked her to repeat the question, after which he responded rather puzzled with, "well yeah, it feels amazing... it is the first, like I said, I am just incredibly grateful."
The Internet kind of lost it after that, and it's a moment we will all never forget. EVER.