Over the past three years, Doha Film Institute has started nurturing a space for series projects from the MENA region through its labs and financial support mechanisms—and now through Qumra as a mentoring and industry meeting event, as well as the Series Lab. 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. The programme will include:

• customized one on one advising session with mentors
• group work session with mentors and other participants
• simulation of a “writer’s room”
• group tutorials with selected industry experts (producers, showrunners, labs and markets, funding and distribution platforms…)
• pitch training
• final projects presentation and feedbacks.

Participants work in small groups with the support of experienced mentors. The lab consists of three online sessions of five-day workshops, which take place intermittently over a period of six months. During each 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. Dates: ● Session 1: 21 – 25 June (online) ● Session 2: September 2023 (online) ● Session 3: Jan 2024 (online) Please note that each session lasts five full days. Extended Deadline: 7 June Hours: – The sessions will take place online and participation is required for all five days of each session, as the work, sharing and learning build from day to day. Language: English Lab Fee: 1800 Qatari Riyals Group Size: 6- 8 participants (3-4 participants per group) Level: Intermediate to Advanced Eligibility

• The workshop is designed for writers & directors, or anyone interested in writing for scripted serialized projects created on TV and web series, or app-based platforms.
• Candidates should have produced at least one short or feature-length narrative or documentary film or series in the past.
• Participants must be from Qatar or the MENA region

Submission Requirements Please send the following in Word or PDF format to training@dohafilminstitute.com

• Synopsis (1-page maximum)
• Treatment & concept presentation (arc of the story, backstory, character description and episode outline)
• Biography and filmography of key team (director, writer, producer, production company profile)
• Visual concept or any visual representation, i.e. mood board, storyboard (if available)
• Treatment of each episode in bullet points (if available)
• Pilot script (if available)
• Detailed information about what is required for the project’s development
• A letter outlining why you want to participate in this workshop.

Please include your full name, email and contact number in all text documents. Lab Programme Session 1 The first session will begin with a brief introduction and pitching of the ideas followed by input and feedback from the other group members and tutor. Character and theme development will also be covered, as well as an overview of documents to be produced for the next sessions. This session will continue with a review of new and revised materials (the first scene-by-scene breakdown, or extended treatment). There will be continuous feedback and a revisiting of character and theme, adding to the discussion/further exploring a structural dimension (plot, resolution, inciting event, etc.). Session 2 The second session will be a review of the new materials (revised scene-by-scene breakdown, revised character documents, etc.), and a first draft or some written scenes from the revised breakdown. Visual research and other materials will also be reviewed with the premise and pitch further developed. Session 3 Our final session will consist of feedback and input from the group and tutor on first drafts as well as scene analysis. This will set the trajectory for the next steps of the project concerning financing, casting, etc. The Series Lab includes a final projects’ presentation with an external panel of industry guests. Participants will submit their written work to the panel members and present the project they have developed over the three sessions.