TWO Bahraini filmmakers were recently named winners of a programme designed to help them develop their work and improve their talent in the industry.
Amna Al Hawaj and Mashael Al Absi were chosen and will now receive full production support for their short films, The Night Amal Spoke and Extra Time.
The incubator, in continuation of last year’s Bahrain Film Festival (BFF), was organised in partnership with BFF, HerStory Films and Bahrain Cinema Club.
It aimed to support young talent and empower female filmmakers in the kingdom to bring their ideas to life and find their place in the industry.
Directors and filmmakers at the screening event
“Over the past two months, five Bahraini female directors have been working closely with leading Egyptian filmmakers to transform their film ideals into fully developed short film projects, covering everything from script development to production and distribution,” a BFF spokesperson said in a statement.
“Throughout the programme, participants engaged in a hands-on creative mentorship with acclaimed filmmakers from Egypt.
“Script development was led by Egyptian screenwriter Youmna Khattab with a focused masterclass delivered by Bahraini writer Shaikha Suha Al Khalifa.
“The directing phase featured mentorship from renowned directors Tamer Ashry, Ahmed Abdallah and Nadine Khan, while producer and filmmaker Mohamed Taymour led the production session. Festival strategy and distribution were covered by distribution expert Jessica Khoury.”
They added that this marks an important milestone in HerStory Films’ mission to amplify Arab women’s voices through cinema and foster new generations of female filmmakers across the region.
“Candidates for the programme were announced in February, with three films reaching the final stage,” they said, adding that the films produced work to empower, connect and enable female filmmakers across the region to make a collective impact.
A glimpse into the screening event
Last year’s Bahrain Film Festival featured eight artistic workshops and discussion panels, aimed at empowering Arab women, spotlighting their stories in film, and reshaping prevailing stereotypes that often misrepresent Arab women’s roles and ambitions.
These sessions also presented a valuable opportunity for Bahraini youth to engage with the world of cinema, acquire technical and creative skills in cinematography, screenwriting, visual storytelling and film production.
HerStory Films is the first film company dedicated to producing and developing female filmmakers in the Arab world.
The BFF will return later this year with a ‘new look’ to highlight Arab talent and shine a bright spotlight on Bahrain’s cinematic prowess, the event’s organisers have said.
The fifth edition of the event will take place from October 30 to November 3 and is set to provide participants with a variety of workshops and lectures to hone their skills.
It features five competition categories including Bahraini films, short narrative films, short documentaries, animated films and student films, with submission deadlines to be announced in the coming days.
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