Launched in 2005, the
Middle East Screenwriters Lab provides an opportunity for filmmakers from the region to develop their work under the guidance of accomplished Creative Advisors in an environment that encourages storytelling at the highest level. The five-day Lab was held in an eco-lodge in Wadi Feynan, Southern Jordan. This year’s Lab brings together eight Fellows from the Middle East and North Africa with Creative Advisors from the United States, Europe, Latin America and Malaysia.
Run by the
Royal Film Commission in consultation with
The Sundance Institute, the Labs is held in Jordan from October 14-19, 2008. This year’s Creative Advisors included
Zach Sklar, Artistic Director (
JFK),
Karim Ainouz (
Madame Satã),
DV DeVincentis (
High Fidelity),
U-Wei Bin Hajisaarim (
The Arsonist),
Kasi Lemmons (
Talk to Me),
Bernd Lichtenberg (
Goodbye Lenin) and
Tyger Williams (
Menace II Society).
The participants and projects selected for the 2008 Screenwriters Lab are:
ABU SHANAB/Aseel Mansour (Writer/Director), Jordan
Abu Shanab is personal story about the Palestinian people's belief in their right of return, told through the eyes of a precocious young boy. Ziad is a 12-year old boy living in Gaza who becomes curious about his family's past, and finds answers in the journey he undertakes searching for a small box that his grandfather hides in his old house in Jaffa.
THE FIFTH STRING/ Selma Bargach (Writer/Director), Morocco
The Fifth String tells the story of Malek, an 18-year old young man and his dream to become a well-known lute musician.
LAND OF THE BRAVE/Nizar Wattad (Writer), Palestinian Territories/U.S.
An Arab-American family living in Tennessee must come together when their strained relations are tested in the aftermath of 9/11.
LET IT BE MORNING /Sayed Kashua (Writer), Israel
Let it be Morning is about Sami, a journalist who was fired from his job at a Hebrew newspaper. Economic reasons force him and his family to move back to the Arab village he left years ago, while peace talks take place between Palestinians and Israelis.
LITTLE AMERICAN WHORE/Maysoon Zayid (Writer), Palestinian Territories/U.S.
Little American Whore is a love story between a Palestinian-American young woman and her Palestinian cousin.
MY BROTHER THE DEVIL/Sally El- Hosaini (Writer/Director), Egypt/U.K.
My Brother the Devil explores themes of prejudice and identity challenging the stereotypes of what it means to be young, Arab, Muslim and British today.
PRISON DIARIES/Mai Masri (Writer/Director), Palestinian Territories/Lebanon
Prison Diaries is a coming-of-age story of a Palestinian school girl detained in an Israeli prison. The film is based on the true stories that took place in the notorious Israeli prison, Neve Tertza during 1978-1984.
WHEN WE ARE BORN/Nadine Shams (Writer), Egypt
When we are Born tells the story of three young Egyptians and their chaotic lives against the backdrop of Cairo preparing to qualify to host the World Cup.
Labels: Festival Ambassador
# posted by Jason Guerrasio @ 11/14/2008 12:46:00 PM
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