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 on the basis of 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: 17 June Dates:
*Language:* English *Group Size:* 8 participants (4 participants per group) *Level:* Intermediate to Advanced *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.). Follow-up session: To review updated and revised written materials. This is an opportunity between sessions to share new ideas with mentors, to brainstorm and to discuss the challenges you may be facing. *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. Follow-up session: To review of updated and revised written materials & receive feedback. Opportunity to share new ideas with mentors, to brainstorm and to discuss the challenges you may be facing. *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 final Hezayah Lab will include a pitch session with an external panel. Participants will submit their written work to the panel members and present the project they have developed over the three sessions. *Submission Requirements:*
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 on the basis of 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: 17 June Dates:
- Session 1: 20 - 24 July (online)
- Session 2: October 2023 (online)
- Session 3: Jan 2024 (online)
*Language:* English *Group Size:* 8 participants (4 participants per group) *Level:* Intermediate to Advanced *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.). Follow-up session: To review updated and revised written materials. This is an opportunity between sessions to share new ideas with mentors, to brainstorm and to discuss the challenges you may be facing. *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. Follow-up session: To review of updated and revised written materials & receive feedback. Opportunity to share new ideas with mentors, to brainstorm and to discuss the challenges you may be facing. *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 final Hezayah Lab will include a pitch session with an external panel. Participants will submit their written work to the panel members and present the project they have developed over the three sessions. *Submission Requirements:*
- A short synopsis of the project in development (maximum one page)
- Long synopsis
- Treatment of the film
- Resume and a short biography of screenwriter
- Script (if available)
- A letter outlining why you want to participate in this workshop
- Any previous film or creative works (links to films or showreel, photography, writing, online portfolio, website, etc.)
- The workshop is designed for screenwriters with a feature film in development.
- Participants must be from Qatar or the MENA region. Candidates should have produced at least one short or feature-length narrative or documentary film in the past
- International participants are required to make their own travel arrangements to Doha, Qatar.
