With nine new documentaries on the way, the opening of Screen Institute Beirut almost a year ago has meant new-found support for high-quality documentary filmmaking in the Arab region  
 

Nine independent Arab filmmakers have so far received grants from the Institute’s Film Fund in a bid to strengthen the culture of documentary filmmaking in the Arab world. The productions now underway cover a variety of themes from raunchy lingerie in Syria, to the influence of the World Cup on daily life in a Palestinian refugee camp and personal biographies.

Weak tradition of documentary filmmaking
The weak tradition of documentary filmmaking in the Arab region dominated by mostly   entertainment productions for both cinema and TV has made it difficult for aspiring documentary filmmakers in the Arab region to obtain funding. In response to this, the Screen Institute Beirut established a Film Fund, where young film talents from the region can apply for funding for their documentary productions. The grant covers production costs, shooting and editing equipment and professional guidance from mentors.

- It is difficult for young professional talents in the Arab region to find funding and support for their productions, says Chairman of Screen Institute Beirut, Henning Camre.

- Hardly any documentaries are produced in the region and although TV stations will broadcast the films, they are not willing to support the production of them. In that sense, Screen Institute Beirut has filled a funding gap.

For further information or to read about the application criteria, please visit the Screen Institute Beirut website on http://www.screeninstitutebeirut.org/contact.html

Productions in the pipeline

The first grants were awarded to four film projects in March 2010 and the latest five followed in May 2010. A selection of the film projects selected for grants can be found below.

Seams of Desire: Syria $15,000 (Production)
Director: Lina El Abed - Producer: Dirk van den Berg

Investigating the glitzy phenomenon of raunchy lingerie sold openly in the souks
of Damascus, SEAMS OF DESIRE will enter the so-called "inner world" of Arab
life: the intimate part of women's life never shown to anybody outside of family
or friendship bounds, let alone on screen.

All about my father: Lebanon $ 7,000 (Production)
Director: Zeina Sfeir

It’s a nation biography and its interrelated surrounding events over the period starting by the Second World War till date. Overlooking its various aspects going from arts, culture emerging out of the barbershop dairy and seeing through his scope and as narrated by his “Elite clientele” ruled the country … the barber is my father.

The Last Goal: Palestine $ 8,000 (Production)
Director: Mahdi Fleifel – Producer: Purnima Phansalkar

The documentary will explore the way in which the World Cup interacts with daily life in the refugee camp of Ain El Helweh. It will look at how the event is able to transform people and their situation, and in doing so will attempt to understand what ideas such as home, community, victory, and hope mean to those in exile. The film will be made up of separate stories, narrated by the director as he witnesses the events of the World Cup at the camp, and interacts with its residents.

Entertainment Minds: Lebanon $14,000 (Production)
Director: Wissam Charaf - Producer: Pierre Sarraf

Since the early 90’s, the Arab audiences, from the Gulf to the Atlantic have been swept by a new image culture: music videos. These small films that portray two extremes ranging from lust to military propaganda have grown to represent the deep fantasies of every Arab individual, in a 1 billion-soul nation. This film will take us on a journey to the heart of this industry trying to unveil what is hidden behind the Arab TV screen.