doha: As part of its Film Lab Series, DFI has launched two new programmes, the Professional Hezayah Lab for storytelling and a professional directing workshop for Qatari filmmakers. Fifteen skilled writers will have the opportunity to learn from Mohamed Al Daradji and Karim Bachir Traidia — who are among Arab cinema’s most promising filmmakers.
The Professional Hezayah Lab will offer participants with valuable insights into screenwriting, providing the basics of preparing a script, hands-on training, and feedback that will strengthen skills. It will take place over three months.
The Professional Directing Workshop on October 3, 6 and 10 will meet the needs of established Qatari directors working in television and theatre. Participants will be taught visual storytelling techniques, gain new perspectives on cinematic narrative, and will also be taught organisational and communication skills to direct feature films. Award-winning director Al Daradji, known for his compelling narratives Ahlaam and Son of Babylon, both of which won acclaim on the international film festival circuit, will mentor the Professional Hezayah Lab.
Traidia, a graduate from the Dutch Film Academy, has eight documentaries and four short films to his credit, which have been recognised at the Dutch National Film Festival, the Golden Gate Festival in San Francisco, and at the Cannes Film Festival. He will mentor the Professional Directing Workshop.
Mahdi Ali Ali, Manager of DFI’s Gulf Film Development initiative, said: “Qatar is full of experienced and skilled professionals who have had successful careers in the arts, be that writing or in theatre and television. We are now at a point where Qatar’s film industry is embracing a new era of skilled professionals entering the world of filmmaking.”
The Peninsula
