Netflix & AFAC Empower Emerging Female Filmmakers in Arab Region with 'Women in Film' Initiative

Global streaming juggernaut Netflix has partnered with the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) to introduce a ground-breaking training programme intended to support the development of up-and-coming female talent in the film industry. The project, dubbed "Women in Film: Introduction to the Creative Process," aims to educate people about the complex world of filmmaking and the various positions that women may fill in front of the camera. This programme seeks to teach participants to the craft of scriptwriting and the creative process of filmmaking. It targets upcoming female filmmakers who have just graduated from cinema studies and live in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE.

For this series of courses, which will be conducted by seasoned Arab women filmmakers, 45 gifted women will be chosen. The main objective is to develop the talent pipeline and provide storytelling to the subsequent generation of Arab women as a realistic and powerful career option. In November, a series of three-day seminars will be held in Cairo, Dubai, and Jeddah as the program's debut events. Additionally, in the first few months of the upcoming year, all participants will have the exceptional chance to travel to Netflix's European production base.

Netflix's Nuha el Tayeb, Director of Content for the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey, reaffirmed the company's commitment to highlighting the perspectives of women in front of the camera. She emphasised that this programme, in collaboration with AFAC, strives to find and nurture bright Arab talent while making sure that women are fairly represented both on and off the screen.

The autonomous foundation AFAC, established in 2007 by Arab cultural activists, has consistently supported Arab organisations, artists, authors, and scholars. The AFAC's executive director, Rima Mismar, emphasised the group's dedication to promoting daring creative voices and its focus on resolving imbalances in the film industry. She expressed excitement about this renewed alliance with Netflix, which would provide technical assistance to up-and-coming female talent and advance a better comprehension of the difficulties women confront in the film business.

Women applicants living in the aforementioned five Arab nations between the ages of 21 and 27 are eligible to apply for the "Women in Film" programme. The application period will open on August 17 and close on September 8, both dates for submission. The applications will be evaluated by an outside jury, and on October 17th, the selected individuals will be contacted.

This programme is a component of Netflix's "Because She Created" campaigns and is funded by the company's Fund for Creative Equity, which is committed to giving underrepresented groups in the entertainment industry new opportunities. Last year, in partnership with AFAC, Netflix gave a sizeable award of $250 000 to Arab women producers and directors.