The Independent Filmmaking Journey: From Concept to Screen
As part of the “Taiz Creative Hub” activities, Basement Cultural Foundation—supported by the European Union and the Goethe-Institut—launches its intensive interactive training program: “Filmmaking Workshop (The Art Incubator).”
Designed for filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts, this program acts as an incubating and stimulating environment aimed at transforming cinematic ideas and visions into realistic, executable projects. It combines online theoretical and practical guidance with direct hands-on application at the facilities and labs of the “Taiz Creative Hub.” Participants will navigate all stages of film production—from drafting concepts and developing scripts, to pre-production preparations, visual/audio visions, editing, and critical review sessions for the final rough cuts.
Available Resources and Technical Equipment
Taiz Creative Hub provides participants with access to a fully equipped infrastructure and professional camera gear, including:
-
Studio & Filming Space: A fully setup area featuring a chroma key background, also usable as an on-site filming location.
-
Camera Gear:
-
Sony Alpha 7 III professional camera with a Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 lens
-
Zhiyun Crane 3 LAB gimbal stabilizer
-
Feelworld F6 display monitor
-
Film slate (clapperboard) and light reflector
-
-
Lighting Kit:
-
Softbox lighting set (x2)
-
LED lighting set (x2)
-
YB-200R 20W RGB Handheld Tube Light
-
Tungsten lighting unit (x1)
-
-
Audio Gear: Hollyland Lark Max Duo professional wireless microphone kit with built-in noise-canceling lavalier mics for high-fidelity audio recording.
-
Editing Station: High-performance laptop (Core i7, 16GB RAM, 4GB GPU, 512GB SSD).
About the Trainer: Mostafa El Dally
Egyptian film director and editor holding a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education and a Master’s degree in Animation. He possesses over 10 years of experience in academic and practical training in filmmaking, actor directing, and managing specialized film workshops. His portfolio spans documentary, narrative short, and animated films. Notable works include the film “Our Good Valley” (Wadina Al-Tayyib) and “Fish… or… Whale” (Samakah.. Wa La.. Hoot), which won the Encouragement Award at the Youth Salon (Video Art category). His films have also screened at international festivals across the UK, USA, Italy, Germany, and Lebanon.
Training Track and Workflow
Phase One: Pitching & Concept Selection
-
All 24 participants present a concept and pitch deck (10 minutes per presentation & discussion).
-
The top two film concepts are selected for production.
-
14 out of the 24 participants advance and are divided into two crews (7 participants per film) to form the production teams.
Phase Two: Production Development & Preparation
-
Collaborative script development and defining visual and audio visions under the director’s supervision.
-
Allocation of creative and technical roles (directing, cinematography, sound, and editing).
-
Utilizing the technical equipment and logistical facilities at Taiz Creative Hub while managing the production petty cash budget.
Phase Three: Screening & Evaluation
-
Screening the rough cut of both produced films.
-
A comprehensive critical and analytical session covering editing, pacing, audio engineering, and visual solutions prior to delivering the final cut.
Note: Training and production period runs from September 12 to October 6.
Admission Criteria & Requirements
-
Full-time commitment and a pledge to attend all workshop days at Basement Cultural Foundation over a period of a month and a half (on designated days).
-
Inclusion of a portfolio link showcasing previous work within the application form.
-
Genuine passion and drive for professional development in the cinematic field.
Application Deadline: September 7, 2026