Under the patronage and support of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Chairman of the Nation Foundation, the foundation has launched the “From Script to Screen” programme as part of its creative production initiative focusing on national identity.
Empowering Young Talent in Film Production
The initiative is designed to support young talents from the UAE in various aspects of film-making, equipping them with the artistic and creative skills necessary to produce works that reflect the UAE’s values, history, and its significant regional and global standing. By fostering an environment that encourages creative expression, the aim is to develop artistic outputs that rival the best international film production standards. This initiative aligns with the Nation Foundation’s commitment to empowering national competencies and enhancing the creative industries.
An Extensive Training Experience
The first phase of the “From Script to Screen” programme focuses on enabling and training Emirati talents to embark on their first experience in short film production, guiding them through every stage from conception to exhibition. According to His Excellency Yasser Al Qargawi, the General Director of the Nation Foundation, the programme combines theoretical and practical elements, providing participants with specialised workshops covering all the stages of film production, including scriptwriting, directing, cinematography, production, sound design, and editing. Participants will also have the opportunity to watch and analyse a selection of independent films to gain insights into cinematic storytelling fundamentals.
Highlighting National Identity and Values
Al Qargawi emphasized that the programme has the full support of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, who has stressed the importance of national identity and authentic Emirati values as central themes for the youth participants. This artistic expression aims to portray the Emirati reality we take pride in and the approach to human dignity that respects all individuals, regardless of their colour, religion, or culture. The “From Script to Screen” initiative embodies the Nation Foundation’s vision of investing in human potential, supporting local talent, and creating practical pathways that contribute to a more innovative and sustainable future for the cultural and creative sectors in the UAE.
Expert Guidance from Renowned Filmmaker
To oversee the programme, the Nation Foundation has chosen Emirati filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja, recognizing her artistic stature, extensive experience, and outstanding contributions to the film industry. Her participation will ensure that participants derive maximum benefit from the workshops, allowing them to develop original screenplays. A winning screenplay will be selected for transformation into a professional short film, where participants will have the chance to shadow professional crews throughout the filming process, gaining hands-on experience through a mentorship approach.
Aiming for International Recognition
The programme aspires for the produced film to represent the UAE at international film festivals, showcasing the capabilities of local talent and providing them with a platform to reach global audiences. Al Qargawi expressed pride in the significant interest shown by Emirati talents in this initiative, which equips them with professional tools to share their stories and perspectives. This effort aims to cultivate a new generation of creators capable of conveying the Emirati identity to the world through the language of cinema. He asserted that supporting young Emirati talent will contribute to establishing a genuine creative industry that competes with regional and global artistic schools, especially given that the UAE possesses all necessary capabilities to elevate Emirati cinema to the esteemed place it deserves on both Arab and international stages.
Encouragement from the Program Supervisor
Emirati filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja expressed her enthusiasm for collaborating with the Nation Foundation on this inspiring initiative. She praised the foundation’s sincere efforts, led by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, to empower Emirati youth across various fields and its role in strengthening the Emirati identity within all community segments, especially among the youth. Al Khaja noted that the programme aims to provide aspiring filmmakers with the confidence, knowledge, and opportunities needed to take their first steps in the cinematic world and to transform their ideas into works capable of reaching both local and international audiences.