Applicants from Qatar and the MENA region including the diaspora, as well as DFI grantees (from any region), are prioritised for participation.
The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has opened applications for its 2025 Feature Script Lab, an intensive development programme aimed at nurturing emerging screenwriters and writer-directors working on original feature-length screenplays. This lab offers a transformative experience that combines mentorship, peer engagement, and structured development to help participants shape compelling stories rooted in personal and regional realities.
Structured over six months, the lab is delivered in three five-day online sessions scheduled for 10–15 July, 25–30 September, and 10–15 December 2025. Each session includes group discussions and one-on-one tutorials with experienced mentors, offering in-depth feedback on character development, structure and thematic elements. Participants are expected to meet strict deadlines, engage actively with peers’ work, and complete assignments that build toward a fully realised screenplay.
Selection for the programme is based on the strength of a candidate’s screenplay idea, writing skill, and artistic vision, along with a review of previous creative work. Shortlisted applicants will undergo a selection process assessing their potential to develop a personal and impactful story. The lab emphasises projects that reflect contemporary Middle Eastern life and encourages participants to consider various budget scales, including micro-budget filmmaking.
The programme begins with pitching and feedback in Session 1, followed by scene-by-scene breakdowns, character and theme development, and ongoing script revisions. Session 2 advances the projects through new drafts, visual research, and pitch refinement. Session 3 concludes with a comprehensive review of first drafts, a final group feedback session, and a pitch presentation to an external panel.
Participants must attend all three sessions in full, with each day dedicated to intensive development work. The lab will be conducted in English, accommodates eight participants, and is intended for intermediate to advanced-level filmmakers. The total lab fee is 1,800 Qatari Riyals.
Applications must be submitted by 19 May 2025. Required materials include a synopsis, treatment, script samples (if available), resume, visual materials and a personal statement. Priority is given to applicants from Qatar, the MENA region, the diaspora, and DFI grantees, though filmmakers from emerging regions are also encouraged to apply.
