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Tribune News Network
Doha
DOHA Film Institute (DFI) has opened submissions for filmmakers and screenwriters to take part in its Hezayah Screenwriting Lab, organised in collaboration with the renowned TorinoFilmLab.
Aimed at nurturing film talent, with a focus on script development, the Hezayah Screenwriting Lab enables participants to broaden their industry relationships, while finding their unique personal voice as film writers. Applications are now open for participants from Qatar and the region, who will be mentored by experts from TorinoFilmLab.
Applicants will be selected based on the strength of their script idea, writing ability, vision and approach and previous works. Shortlisted candidates will go through a selection process to assess their potential to expand and develop their ideas into interesting and compelling content.
There will be four sessions of four days each at this year's Hezayah Screenwriting Lab which runs over a period of six months. The first workshop will be held from May 6 to 9, followed by sessions from August 24 to 27, October 26 to 29, and January 11 to 14, 2018.
The lab provides practical experience for emerging screenwriters and writer-directors to examine and explore their creativity and personal voice while developing and writing an original feature-length screenplay. Participants are encouraged to develop personal stories that come from the heart and reflect contemporary life in the Gulf region, and are expected to reach key milestones as they build and develop their screenplays.
DFI's Chief Executive Officer Fatma al Remaihi said:"The Hezayah Screenwriting Lab is an important talent development platform designed to enhance the skills of the creative community, and enable emerging and aspiring filmmakers to develop high quality scripts under the guidance of international experts. It is a truly transformative experience for participants as they can discuss their projects with script professionals, and develop compelling stories that will make for powerful films. We believe that such initiatives are important for the advancement of the local and regional film and media landscape, as they nurture upcoming talent and support their ambitions of telling stories authentic to their cultures."
The mentors of the four sessions are Swedish screenwriter Marietta von Hausswolff von Baumgarten and French screenwriter and script consultant Antoine Le Bos.
For submissions, course fees and criteria, log on to: www.dohafilminstitute.com. Submissions are due April 19, 2017.
