The programme is designed for series creators in the Arab region and aims to contribute to develop and support talents and compelling stories.
OSN and Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) have announced the winners of the ‘Writers’ Room’ mentorship programme. Designed to foster the development of compelling stories within the Arab region, the initiative garnered an overwhelming response with 276 submissions to the open call.
The esteemed jury panel, comprised of Writer Yam Machahdi, Director Hicham Lasri, Director Amin Dora, and Director Mariam Abou Ouf, faced the challenging task of sifting through the entries to select the finest projects.
Out of this competitive field, the ‘Writers’ Room’ programme has unveiled six outstanding projects and their creators as the winners. The winning entries include The Day of Your Meeting by Rida Benazzouza, The Art of Surviving by Tamer Mohammad Abdulhamid and Noha Hassan Hussien, Polaroid by Basant Ghonimy, Men Home La Hon (Plan B) by Marie-Louise Elia, Julien Kobersy, and Jean-Claude Boulos, Dyouf by Saleh Saadi, and How to find love in 10 steps (Guide for Single Men) by Mostafa Youssef and Fatma Abed.
Launched in May 2023, the ‘Writers’ Room’ programme is set to incubate these projects until they evolve into fully-fledged limited series. The programme offers mentorship support, continuous follow-up, and input from specialists and experts during and in-between residencies. Additionally, it aspires to establish a framework for series-writing in the region anchored in the writers’ room method, fostering peer-to-peer learning and active participation in the creative process.
Speaking about the winners, Rolla Karam, Senior Vice President of Content Acquisition & Arabic Channels, OSN, said: “At OSN, we believe in the power of local storytelling and the incredible talent that exists within the Arab region. Our partnership with AFAC, the leading support organisation for artists in the Arab region, and the ‘Writers’ Room’ initiative is a testament to our commitment to nurturing emerging writers and investing in compelling narratives. We are proud to be providing these talented creators with a platform that showcases their success.”
Rima Mismar, Executive Director of the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC), added: “The ‘Writers’ Room’ initiative marks a turning point for Arab series creators. With the invaluable support of OSN, we aim to create a nurturing environment for emerging talents, bridge gaps in series development, and cultivate a community of storytellers. It’s not only a testament to the creative vibrancy of storytellers across the Arab world but also a promise of the profound impact these narratives will have.”
Following the announcement, the winning projects are poised for further development and potential distribution. Three residencies are scheduled for February, May, and July 2024, led by Writers’ Room mentors Bassem Breche, director, and screenwriter, and Maha El Wazir, screenwriter and producer. Winners will also benefit from OSN’s right to a first look at their projects, presenting the opportunity for potential selection for further development beyond the residency programme.
