With the support of MEDIA International, the TorinoFilmLab, the Dubai International Film Festival and EAVE are launching the new international Interchange Development and Co-production Workshop.

The aim of the workshop is to encourage co-operation between film professionals from Europe, the Gulf and selected Middle Eastern countries (Bahrain, Iraq , Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, the Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen).

Twelve teams of writers, directors and producers will be selected to attend two residential 5-day workshops, one in Torino, Italy, in April 2010 and one in Dubai in December 2010. The training is designed to match the needs of experienced professionals who want to develop their skills by working on their own projects under the expert guidance of international tutors, and who are ready to share their ideas and experience with other audiovisual professionals.

The workshop is designed to:

• Establish an extensive network of professional contacts both in the Arab region and Europe
• Develop practical professional skills in project development, financing and co-production
• Realise projects with the help of international audiovisual experts and tutors
• Establish international audiovisual industry relations through TFL, EAVE and DIFF
• Teach participants about the Arab and EU audiovisual markets and how to recognise which projects are suitable for co-production
• Promote audience taste for Arabian audiovisual works in the EU markets and vice-versa
• Learn project pitching skills.

Applications are open to mixed teams of writers, directors and producers, all of whom should originate from any of the countries listed above. Producers should have a demonstrable track record of producing in their own country and perhaps internationally. This could include the production of feature films, documentaries, music videos, and advertising.

European applicants must be able to demonstrate a clear relationship to or involvement with the countries indicated above and proposed projects should come from or be related to them. The working language of all Interchange workshops and events is English; a good knowledge of English is therefore essential.
 
The course participation fee for writers and producers (from all eligible countries) is €750, exclusive of travel. EAVE can offer a limited number of scholarships to participants from the Arab countries.
 
For further information about the course, and details on how to apply, visit the TorinoFilmLab website.

The deadline for applications is 29 January 2010.