The Doha Film Institute (DFI) is launching an intensive Producers Lab that will mentor emerging talent from the region through a six-day workshop covering diverse aspects of producing films. The programme is the first of its kind in the region, and will cover key areas to support the development of documentary and narrative films in the region.
The Lab is an opportunity for emerging local and Gulf-based producers to develop their skills with the mentorship of noted industry experts, and focuses on the creative, artistic and strategic aspects of producing short or feature-length documentary and fiction films.
Fifteen projects, including ten from Qatar , have been selected to take part in the Lab. Five feature narratives, five feature documentaries and five short narratives will be mentored through the programme, with Qatari projects participating in all three categories.
“The first Producers Lab highlights our commitment to nurture the next generation of filmmakers, and help them cultivate a refined sensitivity to balance between the creative and financial aspects of filmmaking. The 15 projects have been chosen for their high creative standards and the vision of the filmmakers and producers to push the boundaries and present strong stories that have global resonance,” said Fatma Al Remaihi, CEO, DFI.
Evaluated by an expert panel of judges, the selected projects are distinguished by their diversity of themes; compelling documentary and narrative approaches; and distinctive cinematic treatment and format. The Lab aims to enable the talents associated with these projects to address important and nuanced questions related to script development, executive production, finance and budget plans, marketing, pitching and distribution.
Through intensive training exercises, group tutorials, tailor-made one-on-one meetings and master classes, participants will gain deeper insight into various elements of film producing and come to truly understand the role of a producer.
From November 12 to 17, they will attend the Producers Lab led by industry experts. This will include,Dora Bouchoucha, renowned producer and the founder of the Carthage Film Festival Projects Workshop; Jad Abi Khalil, the Head of the Beirut Cinema Platform; Jovan Marjanovic, the Head of Industry at Sarajevo Film Festival; Mohamed Hefzy, one of the most prominent scriptwriters and producers in the Arab world; and Violeta Bava, co-founder of BAL, a leading co-production market for Latin American films and a programmer of the Buenos Aires International Film Festival.
With a focus on intensive discussions, the Producers Lab will have Master Classes by Dora Bouchoucha on ‘The Chronology of the Development Process and the Role of the Producer and Creative Producer.’ Mohamed Hefzy will discuss on the topic ‘How the Money Works’ and by Jovan Marjanovic on ‘Sales Distributions and Markets.’
There will be one-on-one advising meetings with the mentors, group working sessions and pitch training, and project pitch presentations. Added to this, there will be screening and case studies on Hedi by Mohamed bin Attia (Tunisia) produced by Bouchoucha, the first Arab film to win in the official competition at Berlinale in two decades; and Mohamed Diab’s Clash (Egypt) that opened the Un Certain Regard strand at 2016 Cannes and is produced by Mohamed Hefzy.
The Producers Lab is among the year-round training activities undertaken by the Doha Film Institute.
