Two Qataris to be chosen to study filmmaking at La Fémis

By Anand HollaYoung aspiring filmmakers who are natives of Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE, are in for a life-changing experience in Paris at the end of this summer.An intensive training programme called La Fémis Gulf Summer University at the esteemed French national film school, will take place from August 7 to September 11.For five weeks in Paris, selected filmmakers will be enriched with theoretical and practical filmmaking knowledge, and gain insight into the film industry through interaction with French filmmaking professionals. At the end of the training, filmmakers will direct a five-minute film.Founded in 1986 after the IDHEC, La Fémis is currently chaired by award-winning director Raoul Peck. Each year, the school selects and trains 50 students in the various disciplines of filmmaking. Exceptional films created through the film school’s programmes have been selected for and won many awards and acclaim.Its alumni, for instance, have won three of the world’s most prestigious film prizes – Cannes Film Festival’s Golden Palm, Venice Film Festival’s Golden Lion and Berlin International Film Festival’s Golden Bear – 10 times, making it the most rewarded film school in the world. Over twenty five years, La Fémis students have directed over 2,000 short films, fiction films and documentaries.Based in Paris, La Fémis offers courses balanced between artistic research, professional development and technical training. It has been ranked one of the top 10 film schools in the world by The Hollywood Reporter (THR). In its story in 2012, THR said, “Last year, the Paris-based school accepted 44 of more than 1,100 applicants. All instructors are industry pros.” Over the years, La Ffémis has come to be a reference in France and abroad, known for its excellent level of training.”La Fémis has trained more than 1,000 students in all filmmaking trades: directors, screenwriters, producers, editors, cameramen, sound engineers, decorators, script supervisors, distributors and exhibition managers/executives.For this programme, a total of nine aspiring Gulf filmmakers will be selected, two of whom will be Qatari nationals. Applicants must be between 21 and 30 years of age, and students or young professionals who are highly motivated to make films will make the cut.Doha Film Institute will be covering the costs of tuition, travel and accommodation for the two Qatari applicants.Since all courses are conducted in English, the ability to speak, read and write English is compulsory. You can visit the DFI website to download the application form. The deadline for submissions is April 20.