Frequently asked questions
Who can apply
The Lodge is open to the Arab, African, and Asian regions.
- Saudi/ Saudi resident
- Arab Nationality /Origin
- African Nationality
- Asian Nationality
The producer can come from any country in the world.
The producer needs to have demonstrable production experience (previous work).
The writer can come from any country in the world but preference is given to writers with Arab, Saudi, Asian or African nationality or origin.
A screenwriter must have experience of realized scripts in any form, including shorts, TV, web series, or theatre.
There are three points:
- the director must be of Saudi nationality or origin;
- the story must have a local subject and be shot entirely or partly in Saudi Arabia;
- the producer can come from anywhere in the world;
- Preferences will be given to projects with a Saudi writer attached.
The program is aimed towards first or second-time feature directors, and so directors must have experience in the field, as demonstrated through one or two previous works that will be submitted. These previous works can be short films, music videos, commercials, features, documentaries, TV or web series.
Producers must have produced audio-visual works; these works can be short films, music videos, commercials, feature films, documentaries, or TV/web series.
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.
Yes, all applications must have a producer attached to the project, And a director; if the director is not also the writer, there must be a separate writer attached to the project.
All applications must have a producer and a director; if the director is not also the writer, there must be a writer attached to the project.
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:
- Teams of Two: Producer and a Director/Writer, (In the case where the Director is the writer as well)
Or
- Teams of three: Producer, Writer, and a Director
Applying
Complete the online application form available on the website
Only submissions through the link will be accepted, applications submitted via email will not be considered.
A synopsis is a brief description of the key elements of the whole story, without dialogue. The Lodge requires a 1-page synopsis of maximum 1,000 characters with spaces.
The materials that do not respect these length requirements will not be accepted.
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. The Lodge requires a treatment of 5–10 pages, of maximum 18,000 characters.
Please find here below fews tips that can be followed to write a treatment:
- Flesh out the plot summary in the text
- Involve all the key characters in the text
- Be visual in your writing
- Remember this is cinema not literature
- Emphasize description and precision
The materials that do not respect these length requirements will not be accepted.
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 and why this film is important to the filmmaker. 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.
The biography can be written as a text describing the educational background and work experience of the applicants.
The filmography should be presented in the form of URLs of previous works including the title, year, the length of the film, the genre (documentary, fiction, or animation) and the role of the applicant in the production.
The Lodge asks for minimum two examples of previous works, 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 applicant’s ability. 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 director’s treatment section of your application.
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).
The materials that do not respect these length requirements will not be accepted.
A financial plan explains the strategy to fund the film through all stages from development 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.
Please note that if you still don't have a film budget, a development budget will be appreciated.
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.
If the project has previously participated in film training courses and development programs please list the programs. This gives the selection team an idea of the development of the project and the team.
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.
It is not necessary for the proposed project to have a script in order to be considered for the 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.
Applications for Saudi projects are accepted until November 24th 2024 , 11:59 PM KSA time, and Arab, African, and Asian applications until December 15th 2024, 11:59 PM KSA time.
Selected projects
All members of the selected teams—producers, directors, and writers—must fully commit to the entire duration of the program. This includes attending all the workshops: five workshops for Saudi applicants and four workshops for non-Saudi applicants, along with extensive work between sessions. Attendance at all workshops is mandatory, and missing any of them is not permitted.
All travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the foundation, excluding visas, the foundation can support the process by providing an official letter to assist with the visa application. However, visas for the Saudi workshops will be covered by the foundation.
The selected projects must indicate The 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.
Selection for awards
The director and producer will retain the complete rights for the film. When completed, The Lodge will require the winning project to grant the Red Sea Film Festival the Arab Premiere. There are requirements concerning how the Lodge is credited. Once the final selection is made, the teams will sign an agreement with the Lodge, defining all the details on how the Lodge should be credited when the film is completed.
Projects that are developed at the Lodge:
- Are committed to crediting the Lodge in the film’s opening credits and verbally acknowledge the Lodge at festivals, in awards speeches, or in any press engagements where the film is discussed.
- Will have the GCC premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival
Projects that win the Lodge award and cash prize, or if they win any awards from the Lodge’s Partners:
- The winning project will give the Lodge co-producer opening and closing credits.
- Award winners from The Lodge official partners will list the Lodge as Co-Producer.
- Award winners will have the Arab premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival
If your project was developed through The lodge, your project is eligible for the Production or Post-production fund, but it will not be eligible for the Development fund.
No, unfortunately, due to the volume of anticipated applications, the Lodge will not discuss or give specific feedback on the non-selected projects.
