Middle East Screenwriters Lab

An initiative of the Royal Film Commission of Jordan, The Rawi Middle East Screenwriters Lab is part of Sundance Institute's Feature Film Program, which supports emerging filmmakers on the development of their first or second features. Launched in 2005 and modeled on the Institute's January Screenwriters Lab, the Middle East Screenwriters Lab provides an opportunity for screenwriters from the region to work intensively on their feature film screenplays under the guidance of established writers. The Lab is held annually in Wadi Feynan, Southern Jordan, and has supported filmmakers from Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine, Iran, Syria, Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco.

For information on how to apply for the Rawi Middle East Screenwriters Lab, please click here.

Alumni and Advisors

The two first features to emerge from the Lab premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival: Amreeka, written and directed by Cherien Dabis (Palestine, Jordan, U.S.), and Pomegranates and Myrrh,written and directed by Palestinian Najwa Najar.

Iraqi project Son of Babylon, from the 2007 Screenwriters Lab; cowritten by Mohamed Al-Daradji and Jennifer Norridge and directed by Al-Daradji (2007 Screenwriters Lab) premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and has since toured the world to much acclaim. Click here for a list of all Middle East Screenwriters Lab alumni.

Creative Advisors for this Lab have included Yousri Nasrallah, Kasi Lemmons, Karim Ainouz, Miguel Arteta, Yesim Ustaoglu, and Nabil Ayouch. Click here to read about all Advisors.