Artists from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories and Saudi Arabia participated in the recent sixth annual Rawi Screenwriters Lab run by the Royal Film Commission in consultation with Sundance Institute.

An initiative of the Royal Film Commission of Jordan, the Rawi Screenwriters Lab was held from October 28-November 1 as part of Sundance Institute Feature Film Program’s International work in support of emerging film-makers around the world.

Launched in 2005, the Rawi Screenwriters Lab provides an opportunity for film-makers from the region to develop their work under the guidance of accomplished creative advisors.

The five-day Lab is held in an eco-lodge in Wadi Feynan, Southern Jordan. This year’s Lab brought together eight Fellows from the Middle East, the Gulf and North Africa with Creative Advisors from the United States, Europe, Latin America, North Africa and the Middle East.

The projects and participants selected for the 2010 Middle East Screenwriter’s Lab were:

Engi Wasef / A Beautiful Game (Egypt);

Mohamed Al Zayyat / Burying Mom (Egypt);

Mark Madini / Drunk(Jordan);

Michael Malek Najjar / Farewell Beloved (US / Lebanon);

Basil Khalil and Maha Assal / A Gaza Weekend (Palestinian Territories);

Karim Bensalah / Red Olive Tree (Algeria);

Faiza Ambah / A Reverence For Spiders (Saudi Arabia); and

Nadia Eliewat / Where To London (Jordan).