Bidayyat for Audiovisual Arts announces the launch of the OPEN CALL of its first “Feature Doc Development Lab” for Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian filmmakers, working on their first or second feature or mid-length documentary.

The development lab is a mentorship program held in 3 sessions over a period of 6 months.

It is a blend of creative mentorship, story development, practical resources, & networking opportunities with film professionals who will guide filmmakers through the development stage of their documentary projects.

It is conceived as space of research and experimentation that will allow each film project find its unique approach and style.

Note: Priority will be given to films in development or production stage, some films in early post-production stage might be considered.    

Application deadline          03 January 2019

Period of training                 January – May 2019

Place of training                   Beirut – Lebanon

Number of participants.        8

Conditions to apply

Applicants must: 

♦   Be Syrians, Lebanese or Palestinians;

♦   Have a previous experience in directing films;

♦   Have a feature ror mid-length documentary film idea, currently being developed;

♦   To be dedicated and available to all phases of the lab;

♦  Submit a complete application, including the registration form, a CV, a motivation letter, and samples of previous works.

♦  Submit a feature or mid-length film proposal, including a synopsis, treatment, and director’s note.

If you need you can check our Proposal writing guide: http://bidayyat.org/ar/resources.php#.WtnhImaB1HQ).

Only complete applications will be considered for the selection.

Over the course of the program participants will:

♦ Develop their film idea, work on the treatment and define their stylistic and narrative choices.

♦ Complete a film proposal ready to be used for various funds and production opportunities.

♦ Complete a trailer to give an idea about the film style and subject, and to accompany the proposal.

♦ Define the weaknesses of the project and its missing elements.

♦ Present and Discuss the film project to various film professionals

The training content and timetable:

Module 1:

25 to 29 January 2019

Duration 5 days

main tutor : Hala Al Abdallah

+ guest filmmakers

1-Discussion of the following topics for each film in group and one-on-one sessions:

  ♦ Narrative choices relative to each film

  ♦ The importance of the point of view and how to define it

  ♦ How to choose and develop Characters

  ♦ Filming style

2- Rewriting the synopsis and treatment according to changes

Interim period

Research, writing and choosing charachters and locations.

Filming test scenes and trailer materials.

Module 2:

23-27 March 2019

Duration 5 days

main tutor: Noe Mendelle-SDI

+ guests

♦ Analysis and feedback on rushes and written materials

♦ Editing of a trailer

♦ Completing the film proposal including budget and production plan

Interim period:

Shooting key scenes

Module 3:

25-30 May 2019

Duration 6 days

main tutors: Noe Mendelle and Quatiba Barhamji

+ guests

♦ Analysis and feedback on rushes

♦ Editing selected scenes

♦ Editing second version of the trailer

♦ Finalizing film dossier

♦ Presenting projects to film experts (producers, funders, filmmakers) for expertise

Bios of the trainers:

1- Hala Alabdallah

Hala is well known Syrian filmmaker and producer living in paris.

Among her films are " I am the one who brings flowers to her grave", " hey! don't forget the cumin" and lately " besieged like me".

In addition to her own films, Hala collaborated on many films, both fictions and documentaries, as a producer, co-director or artistic adviser.

She also has an extensive experience in teaching.

2- Noe Mendelle

Noe Mendelle, Research Professor at Edinburgh College of Art, Director of the Scottish Documentary Institute (SDI).

She is an experienced director, producer & executive producer on the international scene. She also runs workshops in creative documentary across the Middle East resulting in successful short films screened at major festivals as well as project development in Africa and Latin America.

3- Qutaiba Barhamji

Born in Damascus, Qutaiba is a film editor and director based in Paris. He has edited  documentaries as 

well as fiction films. His works are selected and traveling around the globe at festivals like Venice, IDFA, Rotterdam, Paris, Nyon, and many others

Selection process

A first selection and shortlisting will be done based on the submitted application, the proposed film idea and the motivation of the applicant.

The selection committee will interview the shortlisted applicants personally or via Skype. Based on the interview, the committee will select the final 8 participants. 

NB: Bidayyat will cover travel and accommodation cost for participants living abroad or outside of Beirut, but participants must ensure they have valid travel documents and make visa arrangements on their own.

All applications and supporting documents must be sent to info@bidayyat.org by 27 December 2018.