OPPORTUNITIES BULLETIN #252 May 2024

In this bulletin:

1.  Rawi Screenwriters Lab (RSL): Call for Submission
2. The Jordan Film Fund (JFF) Nineth Cycle: Call for Submission
3. Hezayah Screenwriting Lab I Doha Film Institute: Call for Submission
4.  Series Lab I Doha Film Institute: Call for Submission
5.  Marrakech International Film Festival: Call for Submission
6. El Gouna Film Festival ​​: Call for Submission
7. Cannes Indie shorts Awards: Call for Submission
8. New York Film Week:  Call for Submission

Chosen Arab Screenwriters (Fellows) are granted the opportunity to develop their first or second feature-length narrative screenplays under the guidance of critically acclaimed screenwriters (Creative Advisors). Advisors will have one-on-one intensive sessions and conversations with the Fellows about their projects to embrace their vision and help them find the most compelling way to tell their stories.

Eligibility:

· Complete feature narrative screenplay is required.
· Only Arab screenwriters, regardless of their country of residence, are eligible to apply.
· Independent screenwriters, co-writers or writers/directors can apply.
· Eligible applicants are those working on their first or second feature narrative screenplay.
· Rawi Alumni are not eligible to apply.

 

The main application requirements are (all to be submitted through the form):

1. Cover letter: Introducing yourself and your project (max 500 words). There are no strict requirements for this letter, except that, ideally, we would like to have an idea of who you are, what is your script about, and how do you think the lab will help you. e.g.: why are you applying to the Lab? Are you collaborating with a co-writer or a director on the project? Do you intend to direct the project? What is the status of the project at the stage of submission?

2. Complete feature narrative screenplay: must include a title page with the project title, name of the writer as well as the project registration number.

3. Logline: a one to two sentences description of the project (max 75 words).

4. Synopsis: a summary of your script’s plot, the main characters, key story points, including the ending (max 500 words).

5. Filmmaker’s statement: description of your vision and creative approach to the project and why you want to tell this story (max 500 words).

6. Screenwriter’s biography: in paragraph format and not CV or filmography (max 350 words).

7. Online links of your previous works: short, feature or documentary film, and you don’t have to be the main writer or director. All previous works submitted must have English subtitles.

Important note:
Screenplays submitted in Arabic will only be accepted initially, given that an English translation is provided once requested by the Rawi team. This however does not apply to the remaining application material which must be submitted in English from the beginning.
This is because members of the selection committee and the Lab’s Creative Advisors do not all speak Arabic, as the Lab always aims to collaborate with readers and advisors not only from the Arab region, but also from all around the world, in order to ensure that submitted projects are being reviewed from different perspectives, and fellows are receiving diverse feedback.

The Royal Film Commission – Jordan (RFC) has launched the call for application for the Jordan Film Fund (JFF) in its nineth cycle for 2024. Applications are accepted until Sunday 23rd June 2024 at midnight (Jordan Time).

The JFF supports Jordanian cinematic feature-length narrative and documentary projects at their development, production, post-production, and marketing & distribution phases. Further to supporting the production of Arab feature-length narrative projects that are co-produced with Jordan. In addition to supporting the production of Jordanian short narrative, documentary, experimental, and animated films.

The Hezayah Screenwriting Lab is designed to assist emerging screenwriters and writer-directors to develop and write an original feature-length screenplay. This lab will take place with the support of experienced mentors in group sessions and one-on-one tutorials. The lab consists of three online sessions of five-day workshops, which take place intermittently over a period of six months.

During each online five-day session, participants are expected to work on all agreed assignments and reach key milestones as they build toward their screenplays. Strict deadlines must be followed, and participants will be asked to read and engage in the other lab attendees’ work.

Participants will be selected based on the strength of their screenplay idea, their writing ability, their vision, and approach, as well as their previous work. Candidates who are shortlisted for the lab will go through a selection process, which will assess their potential to expand and develop their ideas into a passionate and compelling work of cinema.

The lab is a transformative experience where filmmakers examine and explore their inner creativity and personal voice. Development takes the form of online group sessions and individual feedback, in a sharing process guided by experienced mentors and tutors. Candidates are encouraged to develop personal stories that come from the heart, and that reflect contemporary life in the Middle East region. Candidates should also consider how their films might realistically be achieved on budgets of differing scales, including a more micro-budget approach.

Deadline for applications: 1st June, 2024

The Series Lab is dedicated to screenwriters developing scripted and documentary series projects created for distribution on all platforms (including television, digital or web) and to provide participants with the scriptwriting tools and industry access to move their projects and careers forward. The programme is an opportunity for emerging screenwriters and writer-directors from the region to:

• Complete the treatment/script of the pilot or the first season.
• Produce the general concept presentation of the project.
• Exercise writing and pitching skills.
• Understand the global series landscape and the entire process of creation of a series.
• Participants will be working with accomplished mentors and story editors in generating ideas and structuring their material.

Participants work in small groups with the support of experienced mentors. The lab consists of three online sessions of six-day workshops, which take place intermittently over a period of six months. During each six-day session, participants are expected to work on all agreed assignments and reach key milestones as they build toward their screenplays. Strict deadlines must be followed, and participants will be asked to read and engage in the other lab attendees’ work.

Deadline for applications: 1st June, 2024
For more information, please visit: Series Lab 2024 — Education | Doha Film Institute
 

The 21st edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival will take place from 29th November to 7th December, 2024.

The festival’s program includes an International Competition dedicated to first and second films, competing for the Golden Star: endowed with 50,000 USD to be shared equally between the director and the main producer of the winning film. The festival also showcases non-competitive sections as Gala and Special Screenings, a Panorama of Moroccan films, screenings for young audience and the 11th Continent section showcasing films challenging cinematic representations.

Films presented in competition are international first and second films, that have not yet been shown in the MENA region. Films presented in all the other sections are required to at least have Moroccan premieres. The festival does not select short films.

For regulations and entry form, please visit: mff_regulations.pdf (festicine.pro)

For submission: Festival International du Film de Marrakech 29 NOV - 7 DEC 2024 (festicine.pro)

El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) announces the Call for Entries for the 7th edition of CineGouna Platform, which is scheduled to take place from 25th-30th October, 2024, in the resort town of El Gouna. The deadline for receipt of submissions is 15th July, 2024, for projects in development and 1st August, 2024, for films in post-production.

The entry form and complete information regarding eligibility for submission can be found on the festival’s website: http:// www.elgounafilmfestival.com

Cannes Indie Shorts Awards is an IMDb qualifying event recognized for being a home for new filmmakers that join us in a week live event full of masterclasses, industry professionals meet and greet, Q&A's at the interview point, filmmakers’ cocktails and USD 5000 in cash prizes in one of the biggest networking short film events. Awarded as one of the "50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" by Moviemaker.

Outstanding directors and breathtaking casts were part of the Awards’ latest editions, including Harry Holland, Tom Holland, Lindsay Duncan, Martin Strange-Hansen, Murad Abu Eisheh, Richard Fenwick, Zoel Aeschbacher, Emilie Pigeard, George Siougas, Aidan Turner, Dermot Crowley, Phyllis Logan. The Awards thoroughly enjoyed the new visions of directors like Stephen Gallacher, Lucas Bacle, Heida Reed, Gábor Holtai, Nills Keller, Kálmán Nagy, Michael Spiccia, Taylor Washington, Kimi Yawata, Antoine Svolanek, Chella Man, Gari Kikoine, Nathan Naenen, Oskar Brockbank, Fintan O’Connor and much more.

Deadline: 5th June, 2024

New York Film Week 7th edition runs from 23rd – 27th October, 2024 in NY, a city that breathes film in every possible way.

The  goal is to raise awareness and promote the various aspects of international cinema in all its forms.

Previous Premieres include movies from Wim Wenders, Laura Poitras, Armando Lannucci, Noah Baumbach, Wash Westmoreland, Martin Scorsese, Takashi Miike, Céline Sciamma, Yolande Zauberman, Lee Chang-dong, Kelly Reichardt, Andrea Arnold, Christophe Honoré and many more.

First-time and established filmmakers are being selected and every film genre is considered. The festival only shows bold and iconic content, something to remember.


Awards & Prizes
Best Film (Short Film)
Jury Prize (Short Film)
Best Film (Feature Film)
Jury Prize (Feature Film)
Best Director (Feature Film)
Best Acting (Feature Film)
Best Screenplay (Feature Film)

$1,000 cash prize for Best Feature Film
$1,000 cash prize for Best Short Film

Deadline is 1st July, 2024