A page of more or less local competitions, open calls, residencies and other opportunities open to the Gulf’s creative community
- Aim: “to celebrate compelling stories that reflect the rich, diverse cultural tapestry of the Middle East”
- Shortlisted films will be showcased on the Main Stage during MEFCC (to be held 18-20 April at ADNEC)
- Submit through FilmFreeway. Film requirements:
– min 6 max 8 minutes
– must align with the theme ‘Strength’ (noinfo about what this means to the organisers)
– must be in English, or in Arabic with English subtitles - Judging criteria:
– Story and Creativity focus on clarity, engagement, and a well-executed plot, while also rewarding originality and innovative storytelling
– Production Values technical elements inc visuals, sound, lighting, design
– Overall Impact how the film resonates with audiences, evokes emotions, or leaves a lasting impression - Judges include …
– Razan Takash an award-winning writer / director / producer, Head of Film at SAE University College, host of Razz Reviews
– Faisal Hashmi award-winning short film directorr currently working on his first feature
– Waleed Hmidan award-winning filmmaker / comic bookstore owner / journalist - Timeline:
– deadline for submissions 21 February
– shortlist 27 March (no indication of how many films will be shortlisted)
– winners announced 18 April (first day of MEFCC) - No application fee
- Queries to film@mefcc.com
- UAE resident
- Three winners get cash prizes:
– 1st AED 10,000
– 2nd AED 6,000
– 3rd AED 4,000 - All shortlisted films (no indication as to how many) will be shown at MEFCC
- Formerly called the Pitching Forum, now strengthened to provide “more comprehensive and robust support to filmmakers in the country than was available previously”
- Grant provides “up to” AED 500,000 AED for the completion of a film which must be …
– feature-length (min runtime 50 mins)
– narrative film
– currently under production
– in English or Arabic
– can be shot in the UAE or eslewhere - Director must have at least one previous director’s credit, demonstrated by submitting a web link or movie file for a completed film. Can be a short or a feature – no trailers
- Apply online with …
– at least 15 minutes of rushes, pilots or rough-cuts (streaming or download link to be included)
– complete script in English or Arabic (min 50 pages)
– Director’s statement (creative vision for the project: min 300 words)
– Producer’s statement (vision for the film and intended audience, min 300 words)
– Detailed production schedule
– Detailed production budget (with a breakdown of how SFP funding will be used) - Five shortlisted finalists will be pitch in person (can be individual or a team) to an industry jury with 20-min presentation followed by 10 mins Q&A. One will be selected to receive funding
- Queries to pitchingforum@sharjahart.org
- Primary applicant must be …
– a scriptwriter, film director or lead/executive producer
– current UAE resident - Director must have at least one director’s credit
- Grant of up to AED 500,000
- Cntest is organised by World Stage Design 2025 (co-produced by Sharjah Performing Arts Academy – runs 18-25 October in Sharjah
- Recognises “the creative problem-solvers in the live events and performance industries [who] often go uncelebrated for the innovative tools and solutions they develop to simplify challenges … those clever ideas that are mostly realised by inexpensive means and materials”
- Submit any gadget, device or smart solution for theatre, live performances, or “the broader entertainment industry” – could be very specific (could be used only in one particular theatre, company, travelling show)
- Submissions should …
– be an apparatus or (auxiliary) tool that is specifically used in live performance technology
– consist of materials/parts/components that are ‘standard’, can be sourced easily, are already in practical use somewhere
– must have been developed by a current or ex-theatre technician
– must not have been developed by a professional commercial company
– must be free of any rights (so anyone should be able to use it without any financial consequences) - Entrants can be individuals or a team
- Shortlist of 20 entries will be chosen by a panel of eight international judges
- Top three finalists receive cash prizes (amount unspecified) plus ticket to WSD 2025 (prizewinning teams receive max three tickets) and exhibition at Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (WSD 2025’s venue sponsor) during the event
- Submit online with …
– description “sufficient enough for the jury to fully understand the purpose, how it is used and its usefulness” (max 500 words)
– max six photographs (each under 1MB)
– all needed instructions and material specifications (eg drawings, parts lists)
– short video (max 30 sec) to help the jury understand
the item and how it is used - No entry fee
- Queries to infowsd2025@spaa.ae
- Entrant must be a current or ex-theatre technician (no proofs specified)
- Shortlisted entries are published in a catalogue
- Three winners receive …
– cash prizes (amount unspecified)
– entry ticket to WSD 2025
– exhibition display