Viu, a leading entertainment streaming service in MENA, has partnered with the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) to launch a programme encouraging the development and production of short films made by emerging Egyptians filmmakers.
The initiative came within the framework of Cairo Industry Days, a segment of the CIFF which in its second round this year made significant developments to Egypt's film industry.
The Viu Short Films Production Funding selection will be announced in early 2020, after the CIC committee, comprised of the region’s industry experts, comes together to evaluate the submitted projects and select the best projects to receive the funding.
Offering a total budget of $100,000, at least three Egyptian filmmakers will receive funding to produce or complete their films, given that they comply with the fund's regulations: that the filmmakers should hold Egyptian nationality or be of Egyptian origin with a creative record on a nonprofessional level. The film's script should be an original work of the scriptwriter and in the final stages of development. The film should be linked to a production company.
The submissions to the Viu Short Films Production Funding are accepted until 20 January 2020 through the project's website.
“At CIFF we are committed to maintaining our longstanding legacy of bridging the Arab cinematic world with the global industry," Mohamed Hefzy, president of the CIFF, commented in the official press release.
“This year, we have doubled down on our focus on regional cinema. We are delighted to be partnering with Viu, the leading OTT platform in the region. As part of the partnership, emerging professionals in the region will have the chance to be recognised and directly contribute to the evolving filmmaking scene.”
Wesam Kattan, VP of Viu Middle East, commented that "by partnering with the CIFF to bring this competition to life, we seek to build a better infrastructure for up-and-coming filmmakers in the region. The initiative reinforces Viu’s pioneering role in stimulating the content sector of the region by allowing emerging storytellers to be heard by giving them the opportunity to showcase their films to industry experts as well as the chance to host it exclusively on Viu.”
Cairo Industry Days is the industry platform of the CIFF that first launched during the 40th edition of the festival in partnership with the Arab Cinema Centre (ACC). Cairo Industry Days provides an important space for discussions, networking, meetings, workshops, master classes and partnership opportunities between Arab talents and regional and international key industry professionals through Cairo Film Connection to further support Arab Cinema.
Viu is a leading entertainment streaming service operated by PCCW Media Group and is available in 17 markets, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, South Africa and the Middle Eastern countries of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar.
Viu’s unique value proposition of fresh and localised regional and local premium TV shows, movies and originals entertains millions of consumers every day. Viu Originals brings to light compelling stories with world-class production quality, also providing the opportunity for local talent to showcase their skills on a world stage. The service can be accessed via the Viu app, available for free on the App Store and Google Play, on connected devices such as smartphones and tablets, as well as on the Viu website.
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