Besides these initiatives, 16 diverse Arab Film Studio films will be broadcast during Ramadan on Etisalat’s E-Life platform via The Ramadan Shop channel.
Image Nation Abu Dhabi is launching a series of digital and broadcast initiatives for creatives and filmmakers. As part of the initiatives, Image Nation’s flagship training platform Arab Film Studio will offer its Scriptwriting and Young Filmmakers courses online. Some of Arab Film Studio’s previous participants will offer filmmaking tutorials through the Filmmakers at Home video series, available on Image Nation’s website, while an interactive Film Tips Challenge inspires filmmakers to share how they’re staying creative at home.
Alongside the digital initiatives, 16 diverse Arab Film Studio films will be broadcast during Ramadan on Etisalat’s E-Life platform via The Ramadan Shop channel. The original productions include Made of Clay, Sheikh Mussafak, Absentees, Astray, Rattles, Hartoom, and Omnia.
The digital initiatives will utilise digital platforms to educate, train and develop the region’s filmmakers. Arab Film Studio (AFS) will provide practical training and knowledge to emerging talents via the Filmmakers at Home video series. It consists of tutorials filmed by previous Arab Film Studio participants on various filmmaking techniques and is accessible on Image Nation’s website.
For storytellers and scriptwriters, applications for the Arab Film Studio Scriptwriting are open until May 15. The five-month course, commencing on July 5, is led by renowned industry figures who will demonstrate the fundamentals of writing for the big screen. The winner of the programme will receive a $27,225 grant to transform their script into a short film.
In partnership with NYU Abu Dhabi, the three-week interactive online course Arab Film Studio Young Filmmakers will provide the skills for Emirati high school students ages 16-18 to create a one-minute stop motion film.
On social media, industry experts, regional filmmakers like Mohamed Saeed Harib, Yasir Al Yasiri, and Nayla Al Khaja, and Arab Film Studio alumni are getting involved with an interactive #FilmTips challenge. The challenge asks filmmakers to showcase how they are staying creative at home and nominate others to share their insight and inspiration.
Commenting on the initiatives, Khalid Khouri, Chief of Operations at Image Nation Abu Dhabi, said: “Image Nation maintains its commitment to nurturing the Arab filmmaking landscape, despite the slowdown in production. In a time of isolation, our community is bringing its creativity to bear with brilliant ideas to stay connected and inspire others using the technology and resources we have in our homes. By bringing these initiatives online, we will be able to reach a broader audience and share our innovative resources with aspiring and established filmmakers who are striving to pursue their passions despite current conditions.”
