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Foundations of Screenwriting

Foundations of Screenwriting - Arabic (Online)

Discover the creative process of writing for the screen with DFI’s Foundations of Screenwriting Lab. This enriching lab will explore the core principles of screenwriting, with mentors guiding participants through the ‘architecture’ of screenplays (storytelling, screenplay guidelines, non-verbal storytelling, and characterization) and the ‘formatting’ of a screenplay (visual grammar and Celtx/Final Draft).

Taught online in Arabic, the lab blends online lectures, assignments, and group discussions, providing participants with a comprehensive and well-rounded understanding of screenwriting. It is designed for beginners looking to start their writing journey. Participants will work toward producing a minimum of one scene for their screenplay.

For those based in Qatar, participants will also have the opportunity to continue their filmmaking journey with the DFI development team, gaining access to further consultations to develop their project.

Application Deadline: 1 July 2025

Lab Dates: 3 – 7 August 2025

Hours: 5:00 – 7:00 PM

Lab Fee: 300.00 QAR
Group Size: 10 – 15 participants will be selected for each lab.
Level: Beginners
Location: Online
Language: Arabic

Lab schedule

Day 1: Introduction to stories
Day 2: Building your characters
Day 3: Story architecture
Day 4: Visual storytelling
Day 5: Writing for the screen

Submission Requirements:

Applicants should submit an email to screenwriting@dohafilminstitute.com with the following:

• Original short film logline and synopsis
• Applicant’s CV or short bio
• Copy of applicant’s ID
• A short paragraph explaining your interest in this lab

Eligibility
Applicants should be 18 years old or above.

Lab Mentor

Ayman El Amir
Ayman El Amir is an Egyptian filmmaker and script consultant. His recent work includes directing and producing, with Nada Riyadh, the feature documentary, The Brink of Dreams, premiered in Cannes’ Semaine de la Critique and won L’Oeil D’or Prize For best documentary at the Festival de Cannes 2024. He has worked as a script consultant, a mentor and a jury member for many programs, labs, funds and institutes including Torino Film Lab, Cannes’ Short Film Corner, Doha Film Institute, Idfa Bertha Fund, Cairo International Film Festival, Marrakech International Film Festival Atlas Atelier, Full Circle Lab, Hot Docs Documentary Fund, SRMG Saudi Episodic Script writing lab, and DW Academy. He mentors also the Egyptian Dahshur Genre Script Development Residency, the only screenwriting residency in MENA region, that is dedicated for developing genre projects. He works through his Cairo-based production company, Felucca Films, to help filmmakers explore and shape their own personal voices and to produce unique and original fiction and documentary films, with a special focus on fresh and new talents and contemporary social issues.

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