Netflix, AFAC Launch Program for Arab Women Filmmakers
This initiative, part of Netflix's Fund for Creative Equity, aims to develop female talent in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Jordan, and Kuwait.
Netflix, in partnership with the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC), has introduced "Women in Film – Bring Your Story to Life," a program to support up to 25 emerging Arab women filmmakers. This initiative, part of Netflix's Fund for Creative Equity, aims to develop female talent in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Jordan, and Kuwait.[1]
Participants, including those from the Women in Film program and new entrants, will work on group projects with guidance from industry mentors. Each group will develop a short fiction film with a $25,000 budget. The program includes virtual script consultations and pre-shoot planning, followed by editing and post-production sessions in Saudi Arabia.
The program is open to women under 28 who have directed no more than one short film outside of their studies. Applicants can submit a story treatment and draft script for a short fiction film. Teams must include a writer, director, and producer. Applications can be submitted as a complete team or as individuals for technical roles. An independent jury will select five projects based on quality, and an online process will help groups fill any technical gaps.
This initiative is part of Netflix’s ongoing support for Arab women filmmakers through its 'Because She Created' initiatives. Netflix serves 278 million paid memberships in over 190 countries, offering a wide range of TV series, films, and games.
AFAC, founded in 2007, is an independent foundation based in Beirut that supports artists, writers, and cultural organizations across the Arab region.