Next Women’s Filmmaking Courses Begin this November

Raindance Film School Dubai is pleased to announce the launch of the UAE’s first filmmaking courses taught by and catered for female students. Raindance has developed two new short courses available for women to gain experience in learning about filmmaking and documentary cinema, through a specially delivered program that ensures a comfortable and open learning space for female students.

Both these courses will be taught by a lady-led team of filmmakers and lecturers who themselves have experience working in the traditionally male-dominated industry. Lecturer Sanya Sequeira says “we hope these courses will provide a space for openness, discussion and knowledge exchange for women wishing to learn more about the film industry. Designed with the aim to encourage women to hone their craft, this is a chance for our students to take their first step into telling stories about their community, passions and inevitably themselves.”

The Women & Filmmaking course launches on Saturday 5th December and is a one-day intensive session designed for women seeking to develop skills in filmmaking, and for film lovers interested in learning how the industry works and what career options are available, from directing to distribution.

Documentary Filmmaking for Women is a two-day course spread across Monday 16th and Monday 23rd November, and is designed specifically for women wanting to learn the key fundamentals of documentary film production, as well as the theories and nuances of non-fiction storytelling. This course will present various documentary genres and techniques, with a focus on female documentary filmmakers primarily from the Arab region.

These courses will be a first for the UK-based school’s curriculum, with CEO Amani Choudhry saying “The UAE has a great appreciation for empowering women, and so with Dubai being Raindance Film School’s flagship International campus, we felt it important to introduce a culturally mindful curriculum that provides an opportunity for women in the Gulf region who are looking for ways to enter the industry.”

Raindance has pioneered film training courses and delivered one of the most successful independent film festivals in Europe since 1992. Based in the West End of London, Raindance offers short courses in every aspect of filmmaking and performing arts, as well as academic degrees up to postgraduate level. Raindance has helped launch the careers of some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Christopher Nolan (Dunkirk, Tenet), Alison Owen (The Other Bolyn Girl, Saving Mr Banks), and Edgar Wright (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Baby Driver) to name a few.  Raindance operates hubs in all the major cities around the world, and for the first time, they are launching female-centered courses in Dubai.

Courses can be booked now, with more information and course outlines available through links above or via raindance.org/dubai or by emailing dubai@raindance.org