Fifteen new and emerging female filmmakers from Saudi Arabia will receive mentorship from Egyptian screenwriter Mariam Naoum as part of a new training program from Netflix in partnership with Naoum’s Sard Writing Room and NEOM Media Industries.
“The first phase will be an intensive introduction to the processes of writing, directing, and production. Participants will go through the basics,” Naoum explains.
“The second phase will involve hands-on group work. Participants will be split into teams to write their projects or short films.”
According to Arab News, the participants will pitch their scripts to a panel of experts at the Red Sea International Film Festival.
They will also attend workshops, panel discussions, and networking events at the festival. Sard, or the Sard Writing Room, established by Naoum in 2016, is a dedicated hub for scriptwriters. It has produced 17 TV series and a feature film. It’s a safe space for aspiring screenwriters to develop their projects, enhance their writing skills, and practice creative freedom.
Netflix previously collaborated with Sard to launch the Because She Created writing program in Egypt, focusing on training women in writing and developing their storytelling and creative expression skills. Naoum emphasized that expressing oneself through writing is the first step to self-discovery.
Naoum stated, “We are seeking passionate participants, indie filmmakers, or women considering filmmaking as a career option. We want to discover women who want to tell authentic stories.”
The application process aims to discover the applicants’ passion and reason for pursuing filmmaking. Known for her work on films like “One-Zero” and “Between Two Seas,” as well as TV series such as “Take Care of Zizi,” Naoum’s stories focus on issues facing everyday people, particularly women, and are often based on true stories.
“I think this is my way to reflect on what is happening in the region and my feelings toward my society. I’m always reflecting on current happenings, how we arrived here, and how Egyptians ended up in this kind of situation in society. And then I want to share my thoughts with the audience,” Naoum said.
Naoum is optimistic about the prospects for the Saudi entertainment industry, expressing belief in the potential and a solid young generation of filmmakers in the region.
Applications for the Saudi Female Future Filmmakers Program are open until August 10 for women aged 21 and over residing in Saudi Arabia with no experience in the film and TV industry.
