SHARJAH 11 October 2018: Sharjah yesterday unveil the Emirates Entertainment Experience – a first of its kind project in film and television production in the Arab world.
Sharjah Media City (Shams) announced the signing of a contract with Arab Format Lab for the project.
Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council, said Sharjah is keen to develop the media industry and boost its partnership with major international organisations.
He explained that entrepreneurial innovation is one of the pillars of Shams, which, in a short time, has managed to establish a new concept of a media city in an attractive, comprehensive and sustainable environment.
Dr. Khalid Omar Al Midfa, Chairman of Shams, clarified that the establishment of this city marks a shift in the concept behind free zones; it is a new model for smart free zones that adds value to Sharjah’s wealth of media, knowledge, thought and culture.
Arab Format Lab is claimed to be the Arab world’s leading film and television content development and production lab. The aims of this agreement are to develop the film industry’s infrastructure and nurture young Emirati and Arab talent in all areas of film and television production.
“We also aim to stimulate start-ups and provide them with long-term training, which will reflect our strategic goal. As part of the Emirates Entertainment Experience, Sharjah Media City will launch ‘films made by audience members’ for the first time in the Arab world,” Al Midfa added.
Al Midfa explained that a team of professional filmmakers would inspire talented people, who aspire to become part of the film-making world.
“As part of this project, we will launch an Emirati film made by audience members. In an interactive community of UAE-based talents, a group of scriptwriters, actors, directors and people who are skilled with respect to audio, cinematography, lighting, music composition, graphics and interior design will compete. The project, which will include training and workshops, will culminate in a ceremony to recognise the winners. This project has been implemented in many countries and has received international awards,” he said.
Khulud Abu Homos, Chairperson and CEO of Arab Format Lab, said that this award-winning content development project has been implemented in many regions including The Netherlands, China, South Korea, North Africa and Turkey, that its success has attracted global attention, and that it has served as a platform to identify new talent in the film making industry.