In collaboration with the SAFAR Film Festival, Palestinian-British artist/filmmaker Saeed Taji Farouky will lead a free two-day project development workshop on 7 and 8 June 2025 for up to six early-career Arab filmmakers (or filmmakers working on projects connected to or inspired by the Arab world. Please see below for elaboration on the term “Arab”). Applicants must apply with a film idea in mind, but it can be anything from an initial outline to an early script. You don’t need to have a fully developed idea, you just need the enthusiasm and openness to work with others on developing your story.
During the two-day workshop, we’ll discuss each project in detail and develop the film’s themes, characters, and narrative. We’ll investigate creative storytelling, as well as the practicalities of getting a film made and released. The sessions will be intensive, collaborative, and confidential, so you’ll need a willingness to share ideas and foster a supportive environment.
Any type of film – documentary, fiction, experimental, and everything in between – and any length is eligible. We define an early-career filmmaker as anyone from a complete beginner working on their first film, to someone who has made any number of short films but no more than one feature-length film. The workshops will take place in-person at the Arab British Centre in Gough Square, central London, so only applicants based in the UK (or who can be present in London during the workshop) are eligible.
We’ve tried to make the applications as simple and straight-forward as possible. Just answer a short series of questions about your filmmaking, and submit a short (1000 word maximum) synopsis of your film idea. Applications should be submitted in English, and the workshops will be held in English.
Participants will be selected by Saeed and the Arab British Centre team, and the selection process will actively support underrepresented groups, taking into consideration sex, sexuality, gender, race, religion, ability, and income level.
The workshop is free for all participants, and the cost of lunch plus £10 towards travel each day will be provided. Selected filmmakers will also benefit from further opportunities as part of the SAFAR Arab Film Network, with each selected participant receiving a free festival pass and networking opportunities. Applications are open to anyone around the world, but you must be available to be in London for both days of the workshop, and the Arab British Centre unfortunately cannot assist with the cost of travel, accommodation, or with visa applications.
Applications are now open, and the deadline for submission is 16 May 2025 at 23:59. Any applications received after this will be ineligible. Please do not hesitate to send any questions in the meantime to submissions@arabbritishcentre.org.uk and if you would like to submit your application in audio or video form, please let us know and we’ll do our best to help.
TIMELINE
- 18 April: Open call Launch
- 16 May: Open call closing date. Deadline to apply is 23:59 – any applications received after this will be ineligible
- 23 May: Applicants contacted with decisions
- 7 and 8 June: Workshop days at the Arab British Centre from 10:00am-6:00pm
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP FACILITATOR
Saeed Taji Farouky is a Palestinian-British filmmaker, artist, and radical educator who has been making work around themes of liberation and anti-colonialism since 2004. His latest documentary, A Thousand Fires, was the opening film in the Locarno Film Festival’s Critics Week 2021 and won the Marco Zucchi award for Most Innovative Documentary. His previous documentary, Tell Spring Not to Come This Year, premiered at Berlinale 2015, won the Audience Award and Amnesty International Human Rights Award, and was selected for over 40 international film festivals and awarded Best Documentary 4 times. It was bought by Netflix and received a theatrical release in the UK where The Guardian gave it a 4 star review and described as “a powerful, beautifully shot documentary.”
His first short fiction They Live in Forests, They Are Extremely Shy (2016) was broadcast on Channel 4’s Random Acts, and won Best Short Drama at the Royal Television Society Awards (North East and Boarder). His current experimental “live” protest documentary The Land of Common Disgrace was commissioned by the Open City Documentary Festival 2025, and his feature fiction project Soon We Will All Be History Here was selected for the Torino Script Lab 2021 and is supported by the Royal Film Commission (Jordan) and AFAC.
Farouky is the founder and lead tutor of the Radical Film School, a free experimental film course supporting people from backgrounds underrepresented in the industry and dedicated to developing a new generation of creative and politically-engaged moving image artists.
FAQ
Can I apply from outside the UK?
Yes, but you have to be available in-person in London on both workshop days, and the Arab British Centre unfortunately doesn’t have the resources to support travel costs from outside the UK, accommodation, or help with visa applications.
How do you define “Arab”?
“Arab” refers to an identity rather than a nationality, and can encompass people from the entire SWANA region. To be eligible, you don’t need to hold a particular passport or speak a particular language, you only need to consider yourself someone from the “Arab World”, however complex or contradictory that identity may be.
I am only the producer / writer / etc. of my project, not the director, can I apply?
No, sorry, this programme is specifically for directors. You can also be the writer / producer etc. on your project but you must be the director.
Can I apply with a tv series idea?
Yes, this programme also includes series.
Can I join virtually online?
No, sorry. We realise online sessions make the programme more accessible, but personal interaction and the development of supportive communities are central to these workshops and to Saeed’s facilitating style.
Can I apply with my writing partner / co-director?
Yes, but you must be prepared for only one of you to be selected. If one of you isn’t also a director of the project, it’s unlikely they’ll be selected.
I’m only available on one of the two days, can I still apply?
No, you must be available all day (10am – 6pm) for both days.