As part of its strategic efforts to develop media competencies and empower young talents, the Dubai Film and Games Office, affiliated with the Dubai Media Council, concluded a specialized talent development program that lasted a week. The program was implemented in cooperation with the National Film and Television School (NFTS), Amazon's Prime Video streaming service, and one of the world's leading international producers of original film and television content, an award-winning entity. This program aligns with the Dubai Media Council's vision of building a comprehensive and future-ready media ecosystem based on investing in creative individuals, enhancing the capabilities of young talents, and connecting them with global content production standards, thereby reinforcing Dubai's position as an international hub for film and television. The initiative served as a key milestone in developing creative competencies in Dubai and strengthening international cooperation in the film and television sectors, with a special focus on developing stories capable of reaching a global audience and transcending geographical boundaries. "This program reflects our commitment to building sustainable pathways for the development of young talents," said Aisha bin Kali, Head of Talent Development at the Dubai Film and Games Office. "It aims to empower creators in Dubai with the practical skills and professional insights needed to compete and excel on the global stage." She affirmed that the Dubai Media Council, through its partnerships with leading global institutions, continues to support the creation of a competitive creative ecosystem that contributes to attracting talent, developing content, and enhancing Dubai's presence on the global media production map. The program brought together emerging writers and producers, enabling participants to transform their ideas into professionally written television projects capable of meeting the demands of the global industry. The program featured a comprehensive system of specialized workshops, interactive sessions, and presentations focused on creative development and practical insights in line with international best practices. The program culminated in a final presentation session where participants showcased their projects before a specialized committee that included executives from Amazon MGM studios, academics from the National Film and Television School, and regional production partners. This provided participants with an opportunity for direct engagement with decision-makers and constructive feedback to support the further development of their projects. Through hands-on training and specialized mentorship, participants worked on developing their projects, enhancing their creative and commercial skills in storytelling and character development, and preparing projects comprehensively for presentation, financing, and execution, alongside marketing strategies, audience reach, and international co-production models. The program also included a panel discussion featuring Marwan Burouq, Director of Content Acquisition for the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey at Prime Video; Jonathan Leuzley, SVP of Sales for International Original Content at Prime Video; and filmmaker and founder of Black Box Cinema and Cineolive, Nawaf Al-Janahi. They discussed opportunities for international collaboration and the requirements of global markets for content production.
