Film school: Nurturing local talent

Filmmaking in the region is growing fast and experts say it is set to become the filmmaking capital of the world of cinema.

"The Middle East is swiftly becoming the centre for filmmaking for the entire world," said John Sammon, director of the New York Film Academy – Abu Dhabi (NYFA-AD), an institute that opens in about a month's time from now.

Apart from institutes such as the NYFA-AD, film festivals such as the Dubai International Film Festival are also doing their bit to nurture local talent and offer opportunity and encouragement.

Great idea
"It was wonderful that they had a UAE filmmakers' sidebar to the event. I think that was a very intelligent thing to do. It helped highlight emerging filmmakers that are here and gave them a creative outlet for their respective works."

He stressed the importance of developing and nurturing indigenous resources.

One of the ways to do that is to identify areas that need to be improved, suggested John, 31, who has spent the last seven years working with multiple NYFA campuses worldwide.

"To begin with, there is no infrastructure right now. What we do have is the desire, a lot of money and real plans in motion to develop the film industry both in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. You have got Dubai Studio City, Warner Bros studios coming up in Abu Dhabi, but at the moment there are no agencies and no management firms. We don't have sound stages one would need, nor do we have casting departments or a large infrastructure that a thriving film industry requires."

The standing director of education of the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, he feels original independent thinking is an important aspect of filmmaking.

"I have seen a few local movies. The most important thing about the local talent is that the ideas and original opinions are there and so are factors such as drive, determination and passion. And that is what's required – a spark of imagination to tell a story.

The spark

"We can train anyone who has that spark of intelligence and a desire to make films."

Likening filmmaking to painting and sculpting, he said, "You need to study these art forms and it takes a long time to master them. An institute not only helps students develop skill, but also provides them opportunities to have their work screened publicly. All this will help their work evolve in sophistication."

Institute details

• Registration at the NYFA-AD has already commenced.
• The academy opens on February 3, 2008.
• In its first year it will offer a one-year filmmaking programme.
• In October 2008 the academy will widen its scope to include other programmes such as acting, film producing, screen writing, 3-D animation, etc.
• To register at NYFA-AD, log onto www.nyfa.com
• Contact: 02-633 2275