December in Dubai is the month for film buffs.
This year, Documentary Voices, the non-profit film education initiative is celebrating its sixth year by hosting an event called ‘Children and Cinema’, during the Dubai International Film Festival (Diff).
Like previous editions this one promises to promote social awareness by screening documentaries, holding panel discussions and conducting filmmaking workshops.
“But there is a twist this year. Instead of screening documentaries about children we will show documentaries made by our students,” says Mahshid Zamani, founder and managing director of Documentary Voices.
The event also includes a series of workshop lectures on casting tips and techniques by Nancy Bishop (European casting director for Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol), screenings of award winning films by legendary documentary filmmaker and Harvard University Professor Ross McElwee (his film Sherman’s March won the 1986 Best Documentary at Sundance Film Festival) and a five-day masterclass where participants can produce their own documentaries.
Flying in to conduct this avant garde course is New York University professor Yemane Demissie. “Part of the challenge and attraction of documentary films is the process of discovery. I look forward to witnessing the participants’ epiphanies or moments of discoveries and realisations,” said Demissie.
But are five days enough to make a documentary?
“It all depends on the type and the length of the documentary. If we are considering making a film about the movement of birds across continents, about the Civil Rights Movement in the United States or about devoted fans tracking down an elusive musician, it could take years. On the other hand, if we want to make a three to five minute documentary about a grandmother’s morning ritual or a virtuoso musician tuning an oud, it’s very possible to make in five days,” says the professor, whose Tumult was screened at more than 40 international film festivals.
At Dubai’s International Horizons College (IHC), a technical crew armed with ten cameras is on standby to film the documentaries, while a post-production supervisor waits to help participants perform the final edit. All students at IHC are invited to attend. “As a liberal arts school, we encourage students to take an active interest in cultural events that can broaden their horizon,” says Dr Michael Dobe, president of IHC, Dubai.
Any work of art needs an audience. And today, thanks to high-speed internet access, both YouTube and the internet have become prime mediums for screening films. This has led to a huge revival of interest in viewing documentaries online. ”I have found out that when you screen a documentary that was seen on YouTube, the audience is more eager to see it,” admits Zamani.
Through this annual initiative, Documentary Voices hopes to educate the younger generation about the powerful medium of documentaries, so that one day they can perhaps tell their own stories; because storytelling is the oldest form of communication.
Documentary Voices runs from December 8 to 14. Here is a full schedule of events:
• December 8: Lecture by Nancy Bishop, European casting director of Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol, on casting with a focus on children and young adults. Venue: Playhouse Courtyard www.facebook.com/TheCourtyardPlayhouse. Children nine and above can attend lectures.
• December 12 and 13: Two sessions of lectures followed by Q&A with documentary filmmaker and Harvard Professor, Ross McElwee, along with screenings of his award winning films. Venue: Horizon International College www.ihc-dubai.com. Lectures free for members. For reservations, call 056-6454622 or email admin@documentaryvoices.com or info@documentaryvoices.com.
• December 9 to 14: Five-day workshop producing documentary films with award winning filmmaker and NYU professor, Yemane Demissie. Venue: AM Studio www.amstudio.ae. Tickets for six days priced at Dh1,250. Children 12 years and above can attend the workshop.
*Shahana Raza is a freelance journalist based in the UAE