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Collaborative Partnership Between Organisations to Present Script Development Workshops Aimed at Regional Capacity Advancement

Doha, Qatar; JANUARY 31, 2016: The Doha Film Institute, in partnership with the Torino Film Lab, will host two script development and screenwriting workshops to mentor local and regional talent, and support the future development of film and creative industries within the MENA region.

The partnership between the two organisations is aimed at training and capacity development, and will focus on enhancing script-writing skills and explore the universal appeal of local and regional films.

The programme includes a Short Screenwriting Lab and the Hezayah Screenwriting Lab, designed to strengthen the individual filmmaker’s personal voice and provide an opportunity to advance professional and creative skills while developing a network of industry relationships.

Commenting on the importance of skill development workshops, Fatma Al Remaihi, CEO of Doha Film Institute, said, “Our core mandate is to provide a platform for filmmakers in Qatar to grow both artistically and professionally. We do this by showcasing their talent to international industry partners at our film events and by providing relevant and topical professional training to bring out their best work. Arab cinema has been gaining widespread acclaim and international popularity and there is an increased focus on the quality of work coming out from the region. Through our partners at the TorinoFilmLab, we look forward to developing programs that help transfer specialist skills and knowledge to emerging talents from Qatar and the region and nurture their craft”.

Savina Neirotti, Torino FilmLab Director, also added, “TorinoFilmLab focuses on filmmakers, and all of those professionals that help them develop clarity of vision, endurance and strength. Storytelling is at the center, always. We are pleased to collaborate with the Doha Film Institute that shares many of our goals and are looking forward to this year of intense work together.”

The Short Screenwriting Lab, a three-week workshop scheduled from Jan. 29 to Feb. 19, 2016, is designed to assist new and emerging Qatari screenwriters and writer-directors to develop and write a screenplay from an original idea with the support of international mentors.

The workshop will focus on 12 selected short film projects from local filmmakers based in Qatar. It will be structured in two parts; the first week consists of an introduction to the short-film format, analysis of key works, the short-film environment (including major festivals) and how to move from development into production. The lab will also comprise seminars and presentations by international experts in the short film industry. The second and third week of the programme will focus on developing the scripts of the 12 selected projects.

The workshop will be led by Matthieu Darras, Head of Programmes at TorinoFilmLab and supported by two script consultants, Egyptian filmmaker and academic Ayman El Amir, and Italian story editor and screenwriter Simona Nobile.

The Hezayah Screenwriting Lab, scheduled from April 2016 to February 2017, is designed to assist Qatari and regional screenwriters and writer-directors to develop and write a first draft feature-length screenplay from an original idea with the support of two international mentors. The lab consists of four-day workshops, held periodically over a 10-month period and is open to 12 selected projects. During the period, selected participants will receive feedback and follow-up sessions from an international lab leader and trained script consultants.

For more details and submission criterion, please visit www.dohafilminstitute.com