The Writer's Room mentorship programme represents a significant opportunity for Arab writers to develop their series projects and gain exposure to industry professionals.
OSN and The Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) have partnered to launch Writers’ Room, a mentorship programme designed to foster the development of stories in the Arab region.
The programme offers an opportunity for series creators in the Arab region to showcase their talents and pitch their projects for potential development and distribution on OSN’s platform.
Applications for the Writer’s Room programme will open on May 10 through the AFAC portal. Arab writers living and working in the Arab region are eligible to apply, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, or religion. Applicants should possess prior writing experience, preferably in series writing, and submit a series project as part of their application.
The deadline for applications is July 7, 2023, at 5:00 PM (Beirut time – GMT+3).
It will incubate projects until the development of fully-fledged limited series, while providing mentorship support, follow-up, and input from specialists and experts during and in-between residencies. Additionally, the programme aspires to create a framework for series-writing in the region that is anchored in the writers’ room method, and that allows for peer-to-peer learning and participation in the creative process. OSN will have first look at the participating writers’ projects and may select them to continue their development beyond the residency programme.
Speaking about the programme, Joe Kawkabani, CEO of OSN, said: “At OSN, we believe in the power of local storytelling and the incredible talent that exists within the Arab region and are excited to join hands with The Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) to launch this initiative. This programme represents our commitment to nurturing emerging writers and investing in compelling narratives that resonate with our diverse audience. Together, we aim to unlock the untapped potential of Arab storytellers and create a platform for their voices to be heard.”
The Writers’ Room aims to achieve its objectives through the establishment of writers’ rooms, enabling the growth of talents that will contribute to the development of new storytellers and high-quality content in the future. The programme offers a seven-month timeline for series development and writing, ensuring the creation of robust projects with a higher chance of commissioning. Furthermore, the programme provides a diverse pool of experts, including historians, social scientists, as well as researchers, who will enrich the development process and contribute to the creation of multi-faceted, quality content.
Rima Mismar, Executive Director of the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC), added: “The initiative marks a significant step in supporting the development of Arab series creators. Through this programme, we aim to provide a nurturing environment for emerging talents, bridge gaps in series development, and foster a community of storytellers. By offering mentorship, residencies, and exposure to experts from diverse fields, we aspire to empower writers to create impactful and multi-dimensional narratives that reflect the richness, complexity, and cultural diversity of the Arab region.”
In its inaugural edition, the Writers’ Room will incubate and invest in up to five series projects over the course of seven months. Successful applicants will benefit from three in-person residencies, with travel and accommodation covered by the programme. They will also have access to weekly online working sessions, one-on-one mentorship with programme mentors, and support from experts in relevant fields. The writers will receive final feedback on their fully written episodes from industry professionals, and their projects will have a first look by the commissioning team at OSN.
