The workshop which ran from July 18-22 was intended to provide an intense dose of training on script writing, production and direction. 

The workshop began with a search for Saudi filmmakers to participate in the event, who would eventually produce short films by the end of the workshop.

 

The workshop was conducted by two trainers from Pyramedia; Bader Bin Hirsi, the British-Yemeni director whose film A New Day in Old Sana'a won the best film award and best director at the Cairo Film Festival in 2005; and Mohammad Al Darajy, whose film Dreams won him the Spirit Award and the best feature film award at the Gulf Film Festival 2008 in Dubai.

 

"As a media company opting to help establish the cinema industry in the Gulf region, we are joining hands [with] the British Council to provide highly professional industry calibres to train and prepare a new generation of filmmakers around the Arab world," said Nashwa Al Ruwaini, CEO of Pyramedia.

 

Pyramedia has been working towards establishing a film industry in the Gulf region for a number of years, producing documentaries and establishing the region's first talent agency.

The Pyramedia initiative invites students from school age to university age to partake in the placements, and currently trains 3-5 students per month.