The Red Sea Lodge nurtures the next generation of filmmakers from Saudi and the Arab world, in partnership with TorinoFilmLab. After a successful inaugural year, it returns in 2021 bigger and better than ever. The intensive 7-month program (duration is subject to change depending on the to-be-announced festival dates) is for emerging filmmakers on their first or second feature; more established names with truly daring new concepts and approaches will be considered. Open to teams of creatives from Saudi Arabia and the Arab world, working on a feature film project at any stage of development. In 2021, the program will include five extended workshops, including two residential weeks in Jeddah.

Following the intensive development process, teams will have the opportunity to pitch for the Red Sea Lodge Production Awards, two prizes of 100,000$, and a Premier AT Red Sea Film Festival ***Note, we need to confirm the rule of premiering in the following year whatever year after the film is done. Following the program, teams will have a fully developed project including a log line, synopsis, treatment and script, plus budget, director’s statement, producer’s note, production and post-production schedule, financing strategy, financing plan, and a pre-recorded pitch. Each team will understand the process of project development and will be equipped with the necessary skills to fully realize this and future projects. With the confidence to work effectively in the international marketplace, it provides Arab filmmakers with the insight to move their careers to the next level and get their films made. A maximum of 12 project teams will be selected, at least 6 of which will be Saudi, with the remainder from across the Arab world. A project qualifies as a Saudi project if it has a Saudi director, telling a Saudi story, and will be shot entirely or partly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Deadline for applications is Saturday, 27 February 2021, at 11:59pm KSA time Full terms, conditions, and application requirements are outlined below. For further information contact: info@redseafilmfest.com

WHO CAN APPLY?

— a. a writer-director and producer or — b. director, writer, and producer

• Applications must be made in creative teams, comprising: — a. a writer-director and producer or — b. director, writer, and producer
• The director should be of Saudi nationality/origin or of Arab nationality/origin.
• Preference will be given to projects with producers and screenwriters of Arab nationality/origin, but projects with team members of other nationalities will be considered provided the director is of Arab nationality/origin
• Aimed at first or second-time feature directors, applications from more established voices will be considered if they demonstrate daring new ideas and approaches.
• The producer needs to have demonstrable production experience
• A screenwriter must have experience of realized scripts in any form, including shorts, TV, web series, or theatre.
• The team must confirm their full availability for all five workshop sessions as per the schedule outlined below, as well as at the Red Sea International Film Festival once dates are announced.
• The working language of the workshops, meetings, and events is English; therefore, a good knowledge of English is preferred however, should an applicant need Arabic translation they should advise the Red Sea Lodge, so arrangements can be made accordingly.

WHAT KIND OF FILM PROJECT?

• Arab projects, directed by an Arab director with an Arab story
• Saudi projects should be directed by a Saudi director, with a Saudi story, and will be shot entirely or partly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Submissions can be for any film form – fiction, creative documentary, experimental animation, or any other
• The budget of the film can be anywhere between $500,000 – $1,000,000,
• Considering the prize award is $100,000, the producers must be able to demonstrate guaranteed funding for the remainder, and that the film can be produced within one-two years (N.B. these commitments are a prerequisite for entry to the program, and without guarantees on funding and timeframes, teams will not be able to eligible to join)
• It must be possible to produce the project within the time frame of one – two years

THE PROGRAM:

• Selected participants will follow an intensive project development program scheduled across 7-months. The program will explore projects from all perspectives including script consultations and work with experts in the fields of directing, cinematography, sound, post-production, financing and sales, and audience engagement. Producers will enjoy a dedicated program tailored to their development
• All team members must be committed to participating in the full duration of the training, including attendance at all sessions, meeting the demands of the program as outlined by mentors and course moderators, as well as making themselves available to work on their projects between workshops
• The selected 12 project teams will attend five workshops, four taking place online, one taking place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia:

The selected 12 project teams will attend five workshops, four taking place online, one taking place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia:

• Workshop One | Project development, understanding your role, sales, and marketing


• When? Saturday, 3 April to Thursday, 8 April


• Where? Online


• By the end of the seven days, you’ll have developed the infrastructure of your script and will be asked to submit the first draft of your script as well as dossier around 4 weeks from the end of workshop one.

• Workshop Two | TBC


• When? Saturday, 5 June to Thursday, 10 June


• Where? Online

• Workshop Three | Visualization – script development, before working with directors, cinematographers, and production designers


• When? Thursday, 8 July to Tuesday, 13 July (Friday off)


• Where? Online


• By the end of workshop three, you’ll have updated your Project Dossier and will have the first draft of your Book of Projects entry.

• Workshop Five | Festival preparation, getting reading for pitching and meeting industry professionals before launching your project at the Red Sea Souk


• When? TBC depending on the confirmed dates of the Red Sea International Film Festival


• Where? Jeddah, KSA


• At the end of this session, you’ll submit your Project Dossier, including the full draft script for Award consideration.

• Workshop Four | Production and Post-Production, with editors, sound-designers, and post-production specialists


• When? Monday, 13 September to Thursday, 16 September


• Where? Online


• At the end of this session, you’ll submit your Project Dossier, including the full draft script for Award consideration.

Outcomes

• At the end of the Lodge program, teams will present their projects to an audience of international producers, sales agents, and other film industry professionals at the Red Sea International Film Festival


• During the Festival, the teams will also have one-on-one meetings with key decision makers and will gain visibility through the Red Sea Lodge Book of Projects and network.


• Two winning teams will receive an award of $100,000 each. These awards will be announced during the Festival.


• A committee of jurors will make the award selection.

Acknowledgement & Credits:

1: Projects that are developed at the Red Sea Lodge:

• Will give opening and closing co-producer credit.
  
  -a. The credit should read, “This film was developed with the support of The Red Sea Lodge in partnership with the TorinoFilmLab -b. Credit should have both the Logos of both Red Sea Lodge and the TorinoFilmLab on top of the sentence mentioned above.


• To verbally acknowledge the Lodge at festivals, in awards speeches or in press engagements


• Two winning teams will receive an award of $100,000 each. These awards will be announced during the Festival.


• A committee of jurors will make the award selection.

2: Projects that win awards from Red Sea Lodge / Red Sea Lodge Partners:

• The Red Sea International Film Festival will have the first right of refusal for the world premiere; should the film get into any of the A* festivals, the applicant can get special approval in writing from the Red Sea International Film Festival Management for permission to premiere the film at the approved festival.


• To verbally acknowledge the Lodge at festivals, in awards speeches or in press engagements


• Two winning teams will receive an award of $100,000 each. These awards will be announced during the Festival.


• The winning project will give the Red Sea Lodge producer opening and closing credits in two seprate frames
  
  -a. The first frame will read,“This film was developed with the support of The Red Sea Lodge in partnership with the TorinoFilmLab. Credit should have both the Logos of both Red Sea Lodge and the TorinoFilmLab on top of the sentence mentioned above. -b. The second frame will read, “This film was funded by the Red Sea Lodge.

Documentation required to apply to the Red Sea Lodge – to be presented in English, if documents are written in Arabic, a translated copy to English should be submitted alongside the original one.

• -a. Synopsis (1 page, max 350 words or 1,800 characters) -b. Treatment (5–10 pages, max 3,500 words or 18,000 characters) that fully outlines the narrative of the project -c. Director’s vision represented by a mood board, a project-book (pages of a storyboard, a color script, a series of drawings, or photographs) or by a video (max 3 minutes). These should visually complement the written concept, and elucidate the project through images -d. Previous works by the director (max 2) digital or on film, to be uploaded directly to the website -e. Casting idea (1 page, max 350 words or 1,800 characters) -f. Budget sheet of a budget that is anywhere between $500,000 – $1,000,000 -g. Financial strategy, the producers must include a Financial Strategy document which demonstrates additional guaranteed funding sources for the remainder -h. Biography and filmography of the director and the producer. The filmography must comprise: all previous works including the title, year, length of the film, genre (documentary or fiction) and role in the production -i. Production company profile -j. Introductory Video by the director – video message from the director presents themselves and their work (max 3 minutes) in English or Arabic (if Arabic – subtitles must be provided) -k. Audience engagement plan (1 page, max 350 words or 1,800 characters), which describes how to create audience awareness through online communities -l. Producer-writer agreement: Signed document between the producer and the writer -II. Producer- Director agreement: Signed document between the producer and the writer -m. List of training courses and events where the project has previously circulated -n. Script (optional) it is not necessary to have a script for the project to be considered by the Red Sea Lodge, but if one is already written, a copy may be submitted in English or Arabic -o. Teams’ bios and photos: bio of each individual and a personal photo.

• • Who can participate?

• • What is the eligibility criteria for a director?
  •  

• • The director must be of Arab nationality or descent and can be living anywhere in the world.
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• • What is the eligibility criteria for a writer?
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• • The writer can come from any country in the world but preference is given to writers with Arab nationality or descent. A screenwriter must have experience of realized scripts in any form, including shorts, TV, web series, or theatre.
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• • What is the eligibility criteria for a producer?
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• • The producer can come from any country in the world
    The producer needs to have demonstrable production experience .
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• • What are the criteria for an application to be considered a Saudi project?
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• • There are three points to this category:
    – the director must be of Saudi nationality;
  • – the story must have a local subject and be shot entirely or partly in Saudi Arabia;

     

    – The producer can come from anywhere

    – Preference will be given to projects with a Saudi writer attached.

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  •  

• • What experience does a director require to be eligible?
  •  

• • The program is aimed towards first or second-time feature directors, and so directors must have experience in the field, as demonstrated through one to two previous works that will be submitted via the website. These previous works can be: short films, music videos, commercials, features, documentaries, or TV/web series.
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• • What experience does a producer require to be eligible?
  •  

• • Producers must have produced audio-visual works; these works can be: short films, music videos, commercials, features, documentaries, or TV/web series.
  •  

• • What experience does a writer require to be eligible?
  •  

• • A writer must have tangible experience in writing and have had their work realized or published in one of the following fields: theatre, literature, journalism, advertising, TV, radio, and film.
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• • Must a producer be attached to the project?
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• • All applications must have a producer and director; if the director is not also the writer, there must be a separate writer attached to the project.
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• • I am a producer/writer with a project, but I don’t have a director on board. Can I apply?
  •  

• • All applications must have a producer and director; if the director is not also the writer, there must be a writer attached to the project.
  •  

• • Can the same person apply as director and producer?
  •  

• • The training is organized for producers and director/writer and it is not possible for one person to follow both strands of the program. As such, applications must be presented by a team of a producer and director/writer.
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• • How do I apply?
    
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• • Complete the online application form available on the website.
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• • What is a synopsis?
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• • A synopsis is a brief description of the key elements of the whole story, without dialogue. The Red Sea Lodge requires a 1-page synopsis of maximum 350 words or 1,800 characters.
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• • What is a treatment?
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• • A treatment is a written description of the whole story without dialogue. It is more detailed than a synopsis and should read like a short story told in the present tense describing events as they happen. It should include information on the cinematic style, locations, and motivation of the director. The Red Sea Lodge requires a treatment of 5–10 pages, maximum 3,500 words or 18,000 characters.
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• • What is a Director’s Vision?
  •  

• • The director’s vision provides information about the creative approach of the director and should offer a strong sense of how the film will look. It can be represented by a mood board, a project-book (a few pages of a storyboard, a color script, a series of drawings or photographs) or by a video (maximum 3 minutes). It visually complements the written concept, and describes the project through images.
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• • What can we send by way of previous works?
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• • The Red Sea Lodge asks for two examples of previous works by the director, to be included in the application. Pieces need to be seen in their entirety, as such, showreels are not accepted. The online link to your film needs to be available for three months after the deadline and must be subtitled in English.
    The work should demonstrate the director’s ability and also to give an idea of his visual style. Ideally, applicants should submit examples that complement the proposed project; it is possible to explain the relationship between your previous films and the proposed project in the treatment section of your application.
  •  

• • What do you mean by casting idea?
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• • This document describes the cast you would like to involve in your project, or actors who have already indicated an interest. It is not necessary to send a letter of intent from actors, but photo references can be sent to support the casting idea document (1-page, maximum 350 words or 1,800 characters).
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• • What is a financial plan?
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• • A financial plan explains the strategy to fund the film through all stages from development through to completion. It should include the financiers who have already committed, those who have been approached whose response is still pending, and those who have been identified but are yet to be formally approached. It should include all financiers, producers, co-producers, funds, awards, etc. In the written explanation, you can provide the logic of your plan.
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• • What do you mean by biography and filmography?
  • 
    The biography can be written as a text describing the educational background and work experience of the applicants. The filmography should be in the form of a list comprising the following information: all previous works including the title, year, length of the film, genre (documentary, fiction, or animation) and role of the applicant in the production.
  •  

• • A financial plan explains the strategy to fund the film through all stages from development through to completion. It should include the financiers who have already committed, those who have been approached whose response is still pending, and those who have been identified but are yet to be formally approached. It should include all financiers, producers, co-producers, funds, awards, etc. In the written explanation, you can provide the logic of your plan.
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• • What is the director’s introductory video?
  •  

• • This video message from the director presents themselves and their work. Each director is free to choose the best way to realize it, though the video must be presented in English – If recorded in Arabic, the video should contain subtitles. The video should be a maximum of three minutes long.
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• • What is an audience engagement plan?
  •  

• • This document outlines how the applicant team plans to create audience awareness of the film, during the development and production stages, as well after completion. For example, the plan might include online communities to target and special events to accompany the film. The Red Sea Lodge requires a 1-page audience engagement plan of maximum 350 words or 1,800 characters.
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• • What is a signed agreement between the producer and the director?
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• • The purpose of this document is to state that, if selected to participate in the program, the director and producer mutually agree to complete the submitted project according to the deadlines and requirements of the call. A memo deal between the two parties is sufficient.
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• • What should be included in the list of training courses and events? 
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• • The Red Sea Lodge requires that applicants detail the film training courses and development programs this project has previously been worked through. This gives the selection team an idea of the development of the project and the team.
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• • Do I have to submit a script? 
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• • It is not necessary for the proposed project to have a script in order to be considered for the Red Sea Lodge. However, though it is not a required part of the application, if there is one already written, you can submit a copy in Arabic or English.
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• • When is the deadline for applications? 
  •  

• • March 24th, 2020 at 11:59PM KSA Time
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• • If my application is selected, do I have to participate in the workshop? What’s the duration of the whole process? 
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• • Selected teams for the Red Sea Lodge must be committed to the entirety of the program, and are required to attend all elements, which includes five and work in the periods between workshops. It is not possible to miss workshops or to replace/change the team members during the program.
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• • If my project is selected what costs will I need to cover? 
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• • There are no costs to cover neither to apply, nor if a project is selected. The Red Sea Lodge will cover online platform fees, flights, accommodation, visa costs, and meals for all participants, any other incidentals will need to be covered by the participants themselves.
  •  

• • Do I need to credit the Red Sea Lodge in the project materials and completed film? 
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• • The selected Red Sea Lodge projects must indicate Red Sea Lodge support after the completion of the program. There are also obligations on completion of the film, including credits and premiere. Please see the following section on credits for a full outline of requirements from the filmmakers.
  •  

• • Will the Red Sea Lodge acquire the rights of the projects? What is the rights agreement with the Red Sea Lodge 
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• • The director and producer will retain the complete rights for the film. The Red Sea Lodge will require the completed film to receive its world premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival. There are requirements concerning how the Red Sea Lodge is credited. Once the final selection is made, the teams will sign an agreement with the Red Sea Lodge, defining all the details.
  •  

• • Will the Red Sea Lodge acquire the rights of the projects? What is the rights agreement with the Red Sea Lodge 
  •  

• • The director and producer will retain the complete rights for the film. The Red Sea Lodge will require the completed film to receive its world premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival. There are requirements concerning how the Red Sea Lodge is credited. Once the final selection is made, the teams will sign an agreement with the Red Sea Lodge, defining all the details.
  •  

• • Do I need to credit to the Red Sea Lodge in the film?
  • 
    Projects that pass through the Red Sea Lodge program: 

• • Will give opening and closing co-producer credit
    a. The credit should read, “This film was developed with the support of The Red Sea Lodge in partnership with the TorinoFilmLab
    b. Credit should have both the Logos of both Red Sea Lodge and the TorinoFilmLab on top of the sentence mentioned above.

• • To verbally acknowledge the Lodge at festivals, in awards speeches or in press engagements

• • Will have the GCC premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival
  •  

• • Projects that win the Red Sea Lodge award and cash prize or if they win any awards from the Red Sea Lodge’s Partners 
  •  

• • The Red Sea International Film Festival will have the first right of refusal for the world premiere; should the film get into any of the A* festivals, the applicant can get special approval in writing from the Red Sea International Film Festival Management for permission to premiere the film at the approved festival

• • The winning project will give the Red Sea Lodge producer opening and closing credits in two separate frames

• • a. The first frame will read, “This film was developed with the support of The Red Sea Lodge in partnership with the TorinoFilmLab. Credit should have both the Logos of both Red Sea Lodge and the TorinoFilmLab on top of the sentence mentioned above.
    b. The second frame will read, “This film was funded by the Red Sea Lodge.
  •  

• • What happens if my application is rejected? Will I receive feedback?
    
  •  

• • No, unfortunately, due to the volume of anticipated applications, the Red Sea Lodge will not discuss or give specific feedback on the non-selected projects.
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WHERE AMBITIONS ARE HONED, THE NEXT BIG THING IS MADE

Are you an aspiring filmmaker? This intensive creative and professional training program will take your project from idea to reality. Every year, it turns ambitious emerging filmmakers into the next big thing.

For filmmakers on the cusp of their big break, the Red Sea Lodge, in collaboration with TorinoFilmLab, selects projects for creative and professional mentorship, development, and next-level industry opportunities. Submit your project for your chance to be part of the ten-month program; applications open from Monday, 25 January 2021 to Saturday, 27 February 2021.

In 2021, the Lodge expands across seven months and five workshops to give you a broad overview and strong grounding to explore your project’s full dramatic and production potential. You’ll be mentored by a Head of Development and Head of Production, with guidance from specialists across the industry.

Sessions will cover personal professional development, visualization, sales and marketing, and script development. Enjoy ongoing engagement with cinematographers, producers, scriptwriters, sound designers, and post-production specialists.

Following development and meetings with industry professionals, two projects will be awarded the annual Red Sea Lodge two production prizes – a grant and a premiere at the next Red Sea International Film Festival.

Open to projects at any stage of development, the intensive seven-month Lodge program is open to teams of Saudi and Arab directors and producers, with scriptwriters if on board.

Open to projects at any stage of development, the intensive seven-month Lodge program is open to teams of Saudi and Arab directors and producers, with scriptwriters if on board.

Get your applications ready! Submit from Monday, 25 January 2021 to Saturday, 27 February 2021

Get your applications ready! Submit from Monday, 25 January 2021 to Saturday, 27 February 2021

Find out if you’re part of the Lodge, announcement on Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Program

Workshop One | Project development, understanding your role, sales, and marketing

When? Saturday, 3 April to Thursday, 8 April

Where? Online

By the end of the seven days, you’ll have developed the infrastructure of your script and will be asked to submit the first draft of your script as well as dossier around 4 weeks from the end of workshop one.

• • Workshop One | Project development, understanding your role, sales, and marketing

• • When? Saturday, 3 April to Thursday, 8 April

• • Where? Online

• • By the end of the seven days, you’ll have developed the infrastructure of your script and will be asked to submit the first draft of your script as well as dossier around 4 weeks from the end of workshop one.

• • Workshop Two | TBC

• • When? Saturday, 5 June to Thursday, 10 June

• • Where? Online

• • Workshop Three | Visualization – script development, before working with directors, cinematographers, and production designers

• • When? Thursday, 8 July to Tuesday, 13 July (Friday off)

• • Where? Online

• • By the end of workshop three, you’ll have updated your Project Dossier and will have the first draft of your Book of Projects entry.

• • Workshop Five | Festival preparation, getting reading for pitching and meeting industry professionals before launching your project at the Red Sea Souk

• • When? TBC depending on the confirmed dates of the Red Sea International Film Festival

• • Where? Jeddah, KSA

• • At the end of this session, you’ll submit your Project Dossier, including the full draft script for Award consideration.