twofour54 and the Family Development Foundation launch Films Screenplay Contest

In partnership with twofour54, the Family Development Foundation launches its first contest for screenplays of short social films. The competition has been put in place to highlight the importance of social values in the operations of the Family Development Foundation, which works to strengthen the community. The Foundation also sheds light on existing social issues experienced in all communities. The competition will provide a film archive that specializes in social short films. The competition is the first contest launched by the Family Development Foundation and twofour54 within the Social Cinema Club. The dates of the competition will be announced by the Foundation at a later date. Khalid Khouri, Head of twofour54 creative lab said: “At twofour54 creative lab, we are constantly working to encourage and inspire our talented youth and we offer support to make their dreams come true. This competition not only serves that purpose in encouraging aspiring filmmakers to take part in a local cinematic experience, but it also helps bring awareness to social issues that exist in all communities.” twofour54 creative lab, which nurtures budding media professionals through funding and enabling work facilities, will supervise the competition and will also head the selection of submissions and winners of the competition. The Family Development Foundation has developed a set of regulations for the competition and they include:

• Members submitting projects must be 18 years or over
• The film must address social issues such as divorce, family breakdowns, special needs, community cohesion
• The idea behind the script must not have been cinematically implemented before by filmmakers within and outside UAE
• Photography, production and promotion rights will be owned by the Family Development Foundation and twofour54.

Through the competition, the Cinema Club will connect young filmmakers and relevant entities within Abu Dhabi and UAE, and work on the promotion of films in cooperation with twofour54. The competition will help raise awareness around social issues in an innovative cinematic style and give creative young Emiratis an opportunity to showcase their work and the chance to contribute to both the social and cinematic future. The Club also aims to motivate Emiratis to show their potential in script writing, directing and the production of social films, so that future talent can be discovered. The Family Development Foundation will mentor these innovators technically and artistically, and guide them in presenting their films in an interesting manner. The competition’s films will also add to developing national art, which is what the Family Development Foundation seeks to strengthen.