The Lab will be held in Jordan in September 2025. Exact dates will be announced later.
The Royal Film Commission – Jordan (RFC), in collaboration with European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs (EAVE), has launched the second edition of the Arab Producers Lab (APL), with applications now open until April 26, 2025. The programme is designed for Arab producers and directors or writers working on their first or second narrative feature film, offering an intensive five-day immersive workshop focused on both the creative and business sides of filmmaking.
The Arab Producers Lab is a comprehensive training initiative that aims to empower emerging Arab filmmakers by equipping them with the skills needed to navigate the complexities of international film production, finance and distribution. With a strong focus on storytelling and production, the Lab invites teams of producers and directors/writers to develop their projects through hands-on mentorship, expert-led sessions, and targeted industry insights.
Participants will benefit from personalised one-on-one consultations as well as group discussions led by internationally renowned professionals in producing and screenwriting. The workshop addresses key areas such as screenplay development, project packaging and financing, co-production strategies, market access, sales and distribution, legal frameworks and the evolving digital and VOD landscape.
The Lab will welcome six to eight producer-director/writer teams developing feature-length narrative films. Selected participants will engage in sessions that not only help sharpen their scripts but also enhance their understanding of international market dynamics. Topics will cover audience targeting, funding opportunities, partnership strategies, legal rights management and long-term sustainability in film production.
Tutors for this year’s edition include prominent industry figures such as Rula Nasser (The Imaginarium Films, Jordan), Jennifer Sabbah-Immagine (Scale & Scope, France), Nayeem Mahbub (Kahini, Sweden/Bangladesh) and Hédi Zardi (France). Their expertise will support participants in navigating both regional and global film industries while preparing their projects for potential co-productions and festival circuits.
The Arab Producers Lab also emphasises the importance of building networks and fostering collaboration among Arab creatives, offering a platform that bridges local stories with global markets. By nurturing talent and promoting strategic development, the initiative seeks to help participants elevate their projects and amplify their voices in an increasingly competitive industry.
Submissions for the second edition of the Arab Producers Lab are due by Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 23:59 Jordan Time.
