5 Emirati students to learn filmmaking at Paris school

Five Emirati students will fly to Paris this week to embark on an intensive course at one of the world's most prestigious filmmaking schools.
The students will join the specially tailored Gulf Summer University Programme at La Fémis School. All five went through a rigorous recruitment process conducted by Image

Nation in association with the French Embassy in Abu Dhabi and French multinational oil and gas company Total.
As part of the programme, the aspiring filmmakers will take part in an intensive five-week curriculum of creative workshops that are designed to give students a complete understanding of the roles and tasks that are part of filmmaking today.
The students — Bader Khalfan Mohammed Al Ketbi, Shahad Al Shehhi and Shaqra Mohamed Ali Sultan Al Hameli from Abu Dhabi; Aiham Hasan Saeed Al Subaihi from Sharjah; and Mohammad Ibrahim Ali Suwaidan from Dubai — have varying levels of filmmaking experience, but share the same passion to learn more about every element — from storytelling to final production.
"I have been lucky enough to study film in both the US and Australia, so to be given the opportunity to practise in the birthplace of cinema is really exciting,” said Al Subaihi .
"Working at the executive council, I'm already gaining great experience as a media specialist, but to get some hands-on practice at the acclaimed La Fémis School will allow me to develop my skills further, so that I will be able to do an even better job,” added fellow student Al Hameli.
Michael Garin, CEO of Image Nation, said of the students: "These incredibly talented young filmmakers have an exciting journey ahead of them. Understanding the process of how films get made is just as important as the making itself, and this programme is a great opportunity for these students to learn and practise the crafts of the industry. The filmmaking industry is one where teamwork is essential, so attending the programme as part of a ready-made crew will allow them to understand the importance of working together to achieve a great end result, which ultimately reflects on them all.”
Mohamed Bendjebbour, Regional Audiovisual Attaché of the French Embassy, added: "We are proud to be sending up and coming Emirati filmmaking talent to France for the Gulf Summer University Programme. This is the first time that La Fémis has created a programme dedicated specifically for the Gulf, so we are excited to see the outcome in five weeks' time. This is both an educational and cultural experience for the students, so I encourage them to embrace Paris as much as possible — get to know the city, check out the outdoor cinema and learn as much as they can.”
Located in the historic Pathé Studios in the centre of Paris, La Fémis is ranked as one of the top ten film schools by Hollywood Reporter. The students selected for the programme will be taught filmmaking theory and practical skills by top tutors in the industry. Trainees will also have the opportunity to discover contemporary French cinema through the study of important French directors.
Source: Khaleej Times