Eight Projects Selected for 0 Rawi Screenwriters Lab in Jordan

Eight Projects Selected for 2012 Rawi Screenwriters Lab in Jordan Led By The Royal Film Commission-Jordan in consultation with Sundance Institute, Lab Supports Emerging Filmmakers in Algeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria

Posted Nov 13, 2012

Los Angeles, CA Screenwriting fellows for the eighth edition of the Rawi Screenwriters Lab were announced today by The Royal Film Commission-Jordan and Sundance Institute. The Rawi Screenwriters Lab is an example of Sundance Institute's longstanding international work to support emerging filmmakers around the world. Former Rawi Fellows include Cherien Dabis (Amreeka), Mohammed Al Daradji (Son Of Babylon) and Sally El Hosaini (My Brother The Devil).

Launched in 2005, the Lab is led by the Royal Film Commission of Jordan (RFC), under the leadership of Deema Azar, in consultation with Sundance Institute's Feature Film Program, under the direction of Michelle Satter. The Lab provides an opportunity for filmmakers from the region to develop their work under the guidance of accomplished Creative Advisorsthis year including Athina Rachel Tsangari (Attenberg), Henry Bean (The Believer), So Yong Kim (Treeless Mountain), Bernd Lichtenberg (Goodbye Lenin!) and Katherine Dieckmann (Motherhood)in an environment that encourages storytelling at the highest level.

George David, General Manager of the RFC, said, It makes us very proud to be organizing the eighth round of the Rawi Screenwriters Lab again this year in consultation with Sundance Institute. The Lab is gaining momentum and receiving increased regional and international acclaim, with more and more projects developed through the Lab and being awarded internationally. The caliber of this year's selected projects will certainly have an impact on the regional filmmaking scene, at a time when cinema in the region is attracting worldwide attention with all the changes that have been taken place recently and are often reflected in cinematic works.

Paul Federbush, International Director of the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program, said, We've had the privilege to help give voice to some extraordinary new filmmakers in the region over our eight-year partnership with the RFC. This year's Fellows continue in that tradition and bring a diverse range of stories that we believe will resonate with audiences around the world.

2009 Rawi alumnus Haifaa Al Mansour premiered her debut feature Wadjdathe first feature film shot entirely in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the first-ever by a Saudi female filmmakerat this year's Venice International Film Festival and Telluride Film Festival. The film was acquired for U.S. distribution by Sony Pictures Classics.

About her experience at the Lab, Mansour said, The real momentum for Wadjda began with the Rawi Screenwriters Lab; I am tremendously grateful for the unwavering support of Michelle Satter and her entire team at Sundance Institute who not only helped the script find its true voice, but also in every aspect of getting the film made.

The participants and projects selected for the 2012 Rawi Screenwriters Lab represent eight different countries. The Lab takes place November 14-18 in Wadi Feynan in Southern Jordan.

Daughters of Abdel Rahman by Zaid Abu Hamdan (Jordan)

Years after running away from their oppressive past, four estranged sisters have to join forces to find their suddenly missing father.

Zaid Abu Hamdan holds an MFA from the New York Film Academy in Hollywood California, and a BA in Communication Arts from the Lebanese American University in Beirut. In 2009, Zaid established his company Zaha Productions, producing 5 award winning short films in both the US and the Gulf. His debut film Baram & Hamza won International awards and distribution in the US and Europe. His other films include LoveOlder (of 2 parts) and the 2012 Oscar-qualified film Bahiya & Mahmoud, after winning Best of Fest at the Palm Springs Int. Shortfest. Zaid is currently developing his first feature film Daughters of Abdul-Rahman, which has been selected for The Doha Film Institute, the Torino Film Lab, the Royal Film Commission of Jordan and other international film organizations.

Via Dolorosa by Sobhi Al Zubaidi (Palestine)

A Palestinian man is released after 20 years in Israeli prisons and is united with his family, only to face new challenges in life after Oslo in the West Bank.

Sobhi al-Zobaidi is a Palestinian lmmaker (My Very Private Map, Women in the Sun, Light at the End of the Tunnel, Hawal, Crossing Kalandia, About the Sea). His lm projects have received awards and recognition from institutions including Hubert Bals Fund, Rotterdam Flm Festival, Locarno Flm Festival, Goteborg Flm Festival and Abu Dhabi Flm Festival. His current project, Via Dolorosa, is a feature lm that has received development support from AFAC and Abu Dhabi Film Festival (SANAD).

Trees Also Die by Rabih El Amine (Lebanon)

A young mother and her child decide to isolate themselves from the outside world in a delirious attempt to flee the war and to escape their fate.

Born in 1974, Rabih EL-Amine is a Lebanese-Canadian photographer, screenwriter and filmmaker based in Montreal. He holds a BA in Communication Arts (Radio/TV/Films). His first documentary Ahmad the Japanese screened at various festivals and won a jury prize in Docudays. Trees Also Die is his first feature film project.

Noor by Mustafa Shakarchi (Iraq)

Inspired by a true story, a 10-year-old Palestinian girl dreams of a normal childhoodto go to school and make friends. But her caretaker Aunt forces her to work in the streets selling novelty items.

Born in Baghdad, Iraq and raised in Southern California, Mustafa is a co-founder of TruArt Pictures, an independent production company. Noor is his first feature film.

Crescent Moon by Naz Sadoughi (Iran)

Ignorance is bliss, but knowledge is f

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