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The 9^th Rawi Screenwriters’ Lab, Shobak, Jordan (November 2013)

 About Rawi Screenwriters' Lab:

In 2005 the Royal Film Commission - Jordan (RFC) launched Rawi (Storyteller), a screenplay development lab, in consultation with the Sundance Institute. Independent Arab screenwriters (Fellows) are offered the chance to develop their work in a uniquely creative environment under the guidance of internationally acclaimed screenwriters from all over the world (Creative Advisors).

Over the past eight years, Rawi supported over 60 emerging screenwriters. Completed projects by Rawi’s Alumni include: POMEGRANATES AND MYRRH by Najwa Najjar, AMREEKA by Cherien Dabis, SON OF BABYLON by Mohamed Al Daradji, THE FIFTH STRING by Selma Bargach, MY BROTHER THE DEVIL by Sally El Hosaini, DETROIT UNLEADED by Rola Nashef and WADJDA by Haifaa Al-Mansour. Learn about other participants by visiting the complete list of Rawi Alumni & Advisors

At the beginning of autumn each year, fellows and advisors are transported to a remote location within the Jordanian desert where for five days, they work intensively on their feature narrative screenplays. Each fellow will have a one-on-one story session with the lab's creative advisors. The advisors’ guidance ranges from improving the fellow's technique as a screenwriter, to life lessons and practical suggestions to be explored in their next draft. Emphasis is placed on each fellow's individual voice and story.

This year, the new select location for Rawi is the Montreal Hotel in Shobak. The Montreal Hotel is a project of the Jordan Heritage Revival Company (JHRC).

JHRC was established in 2010 by the King Abdullah II Development Fund based on the Royal vision of a self-sustaining historical re-enactment sector in Jordan. The business objectives of JHRC are aimed to carefully capitalize on the national treasure of available human resources in order to bring history to life for Jordanians and tourists alike. Within this vision, JHRC has established another three projects so far in Petra, Wadi Rum and Shobak.

Montreal Hotel is located just off the King's Highway 190 kilometers south of Amman. Designed to generate income for residents of the surrounding community, the hotel is nestled opposite the Montreal Castle; an impressive castle which stands as a lonely reminder of former Crusader glory. A re-enactment scenario with guards in historical dress as well as an hourly change of the guard’s event reflects the Ayyubid era. The Castle, also lit at night, crowns a cone of rock which rises above a wild and rugged landscape dotted with a grand sweep of fruit trees below.

For more information please write to rawi@film.jo or call The Royal Film Commission - Jordan at: Tel: +962 6 461 3835 ext. 108, 104