Film Independent script writing workshop kicks off

CAIRO – 23 September 2019: The U.S. Embassy in Egypt is once again partnering with El Gouna Film Festival, joined this year by Film Independent, to strengthen the collaboration between the Egyptian and American film industries.

The first scriptwriting workshop kicked off on Monday, September 23 and will continue for three days. Marvin Lemus, Amman Abbasi and Ayten Amin are the mentors of the workshop.

The U.S. Embassy partnered with El Gouna Film Festival since 2017. This edition collaboration will build on previous editions successes and highlight Arab cinema’s creativity and growing global reach.

The U.S. support for the third edition of the festival includes an industry panel discussion with leading American film executives and producers.

In addition, twelve Egyptian filmmakers will participate in a three-day feature film script-writing workshop led by American experts.

The U.S. Embassy will also sponsor the Cairo Symphony Orchestra’s “Hits of Hollywood” performance at the “Cinema in Concert” event on Wednesday, September 25.
The U.S. Embassy and Los Angeles-based Film Independent will also grant two awards valued at $15,000 each for CineGouna Platform’s Springboard Competition: A Spirit Awards Residency in Los Angeles for an Egyptian screenwriter; and a Film Independent Forum Residency in Los Angeles for an Egyptian creative producer. Film Independent President Josh Welsh will serve as a jury member for the competition.

Film Independent is the nonprofit arts organization that champions creative independence in visual storytelling and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision.