03 Production


	Al Arabiya Documentary Workshop 2008 Al Arabiya presents its second Al Arabiya Documentary Workshop ADW2008, organized by O3 Productions, a leading pan–Arab production and acquisition company. When and where It will take place on 1-3 March 2008 in Dubai. What it is about By supporting such an event, Al-Arabiya is looking to: 1- Help Arab documentary filmmakers - and those who don’t have previous experience in documentary filmmaking achieve their first short production and to air it on its screen. The workshop will engage the participants with a formation and an intensive training programme intended to develop, produce and broadcast selected proposals with a special focus on untold Middle-East related stories. The pre-selected participants will have the opportunity to discuss their proposals and work on its details until it is ready to be pitched. At the end of the workshop at least 4 projects will be selected to be produced and to air under the support and supervision of O3 Productions. 2- In addition, Al-Arabiya aims to select and co-produce two proposals submitted by professional and/or first-time filmmakers who could have an appeal to viewers beyond the Arab World and therefore will be seeking funds from international broadcasters and various production networks. In this context, the pre-selected participants will be given the opportunity to pitch their projects in the presence of renowned commissioning editors representing major international broadcasters. By sponsoring such an event, Al-Arabiya aims to: • Familiarize Arab documentary filmmakers with the opportunities and the demands of Pan Arab as well as that of the international non-fiction market. • Link independent creators of documentary film with the industry and to open up work opportunities on a regional and international level. • Stimulate the economic and creative competitiveness of Arab documentary professionals on a regional and international level. • Encourage the thematic and artistic variety of Arab audiovisual works and thereby advance the development of documentary films • Foster international contacts and encourage networking among Arab documentary professionals. ADW2008 In order to meet the above objectives and make ADW 2008 a successful well-organized event, the following regulations and terms of entry have been set: CATEGORY ONE: “FIRST APPEARANCE” PROPOSALS A call-for-proposals will be launched and promoted through different media outlets, in which Al-Arabiya announces its intention to produce 4 reportage-style documentaries. Required conditions and qualifications are as follows: 1) The entry is restricted to first-time Arab filmmakers as well as Arab journalists who can offer proposals adaptable to screen. 2) The priority in the pre-selection process will be given to untold/never-before seen stories or angles of a story with a special focus on reportage-style documentary of investigative nature depicting political, social and/or cultural topics. 3) The proposed length of each documentary shouldn’t exceed the limits of 15-25 minutes. 4) The production of the reportage style program should not exceed in its technical requirement 4 days of filming and the cameras to be used are DV or HDV. Al Arabiya will support the production partly in cash and mostly in technical help such as a camera, a camera crew or editing or in providing Human resources such as director. 5) Each has the right to submit more than one proposal. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions section for more information about the documents needed to apply. 6) The pre-selected applicants will be invited to attend – within the 3-day main event – two-day formation and training consecutive sessions given by international experts and al Arabiya/ O3 experts. (The detailed schedule will be announced soon.) 7) Names of the winners will be announced on the gala evening of the closing day. 8) Winners will benefit from Al-Arabiya financial support and technical assistance. CATEGORY TWO: “CO-PRODUCTION” PROPOSALS ADW announcement will also include a call-for-proposals addressed to professional and experienced filmmakers and producers. Only completed and satisfactory production files will be accepted. The related participants will take place as follows: 1) The priority will be given to professional and experienced filmmakers. However, the entry will be also open to those who grab the opportunity to produce their first works and have succeeded in involving production partners such as broadcasters, co-producers and financial contributors in addition to non-profit organizations such as the European Union, UN and various NGOs organizations. In any case, the assessment of each proposal will be based on the professional standards adopted in the content and form of the submitted production file. 2) The entry is restricted to independent Arab documentary filmmakers seeking co-production funds for their projects. 3) The proposed length of each documentary shouldn’t exceed the limits of 45 minutes. 4) The production file should be comprehensive and detailed as much as possible. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions section for more information about the documents needed to apply. 5) Deadline for proposals submission: end of December 2007. 6) Total number of pre-selected proposals will be 8. 7) Pre-selection results will be announced no later than February, 1, 2008. 8) Pre-selected participants will be invited to attend ADW, where they will be requested to pitch their proposals in the presence of commissioning editors committee representing international broadcast companies as well as O3 Productions and Al-Arabiya. 9) Pitching session will be held from 10am to 1pm on the closing day of ADW. Each participant will have 7-10 minutes to present his/her proposal, followed by a 10-minute discussion around the presentation. (The detailed schedule will be announced soon) How to Apply General Terms and Conditions: 1- CATEGORY ONE: “FIRST APPEARANCE” PROPOSALS: Each proposal must comprise the following documents: • Applicant’s CV. • A short synopsis clarifying the story and content of the proposal. • Applicant’s note of intent or motivation, in which the applicant explains why he/she has chosen this proposed subject and the importance of such a subject in addition to the angles from which the applicant will treat the subject. • Short description(s) of the main character(s) featuring in the film. • A short list of the technical support required from Al-Arabiya to help the applicant accomplish the production of the project in the event the proposal was selected. • Any additional materials that would support the applicant’s presentation of the proposal such as archives or any visual materials (video tapes, DVD, still pictures) will be welcomed. • Proposals can be submitted either in Arabic or English. In the event, the proposal is pre-selected the applicant will be requested to send an English translation of the proposal in case it was written in Arabic. • Deadline for proposals submission: end of December 2007. • Total number of pre-selected proposals will be 8. • Preselection results will be announced no later than February, 1, 2008. 2- CATEGORY TWO: “CO-PRODUCTION” PROPOSALS: Each proposal must comprise the following documents: • Director’s CV. • DVD or VHS copies of the director’s previous works, at least 2 films. One copy will be enough if the director has only one film in his/her records. • Obviously, for directors seeking co-production fund for their first works, it will be better if they include all previous experiences in their résumés. • Track record of the producer of the project, and contact details of the production company if they have one involved. • Synopsis clarifying the story and content of the proposal. • Historical or realistic background of the proposal. • Applicant’s note of intent, in which the applicant explains why he/she has elected to treat the proposed subject and the importance of such a subject in addition to the angles from which the applicant will treat the subject. • Treatment, how, where, when and why. • Visual Approach. • Narrative Style. • Short description(s) of the main character(s) featuring in the film. • List of the confirmed financing sources and the total amount of their financial share. • Itemized budget of the project. (for Budget form click here) • Short note enclosed in the budget sheet showing the “Confirmed Financing” and “Financing Sought” and the related percentage corresponding simultaneously to each item. For example: if the total budget of a given project equal to US$ 150,000, out of which the Confirmed Financing = 63,000$ and the Financing Sought = 87,000$, then the corresponding percentages are respectively 42% (Confirmed Financing) & 58% (Financing Sought). • Broadcast-guarantee or letter of interest issued by the channel(s) involved in the co-production. • Any additional visual material supporting the presentation of the proposal will be helpful. During the presentation, the participant may show a trailer or edited rushes on DVD or Pal VHS formats illustrating the content of the proposal. • All participants will find at their disposal the technical facilities needed to support the presentation and pitching of their projects such as video and DVD players, laptops for power Point Presentations and still pictures projection. Additional materials that would support the applicant’s presentation of the proposal such as archives or any visual materials (video tapes, DVD, still pictures) will be welcomed. MISCELLANOUS • All proposals should be sent in electronic versions to the following e-mail address: adw2008@mbc.ae • All visual materials related to the proposals should be sent by courier to the following address: ADW2008 O3 Productions FZ LLC Dubai Media City MBCTV Building # 3 Building; P.O. Box 72627 Dubai – UAE • The participants of CATEGORY ONE: FIRST APPEARANCE will have the access to attend the pitching events. • For those who wish to attend ADW activities at their own expenses, they are kindly requested to apply before January 15, 2008. PARALLEL EVENT • O3 Productions is assigned on behalf of Al-Arabiya to acquire new documentary films produced by Arab filmmakers. Therefore, ADW will open the opportunity to receive new documentaries produced during 2007. Terms of acquisition will be negotiated after the selection of films. For those who would like to send their latest productions, please mail them to the following address: O3 Productions FZ LLC Dubai Media City MBCTV Building # 3 P.O. Box 72627 ADW2008 Dubai – UAE.