By Anand Holla

If you have a flair for writing drama and want to improve your game, the three-week-long Short Scriptwriting Lab by the Doha Film Institute might be just what the script doctor ordered.
Starting January 29, beginner to intermediate writers and writer-directors can benefit a good deal from the lab that has now been announced as open to Qataris and residents of Qatar.
Designed to assist new, emerging screenwriters and writer-directors to develop and write a screenplay from an original idea with the support of international mentors, the lab is structured in two parts.
“The first week consists of an introduction to the short-film format, analysis of key works, the short-film environment (including major festivals) and how to move from development into production. The lab will also comprise of seminars and presentations from international figures from the short film industry. The second and third weeks focus on developing participants’ scripts with two international script consultants,” the DFI says, in its note on the course.
“The lab is a transformative and illuminating experience where writers learn the principles of dramatic writing for short films – premise, theme, structure, character and story – and examine and explore their creativity and individual voice, as well as gain an understanding of the international short film landscape. Candidates are encouraged to develop personal stories that come from the heart and that reflect contemporary life in the Gulf region,” the DFI explains.
The lab kicks off on January 29 and runs until February 19. The timings are: Friday, 2pm to 8pm; Saturday, 10am to 7pm; and Sunday to Wednesday, 5pm to 10pm. The lab will be in both Arabic and English, and the group size is only 12 screenwriters.  
The submission process requires applicants to submit a treatment (no longer than one page) or script (no longer than 15 pages) for a short fictional film. The film should be between 5 and 15 minutes in length. “This workshop is designed to develop writing and film ideas. Candidates must be prepared to work with mentors and each other on substantial rewrites of scripts,” the DFI points out.
To make your submission, send the following as Word documents or in PDF to learninginitiatives@dohafilminstitute.com: Treatment (maximum one page) or script (maximum 15 pages); CV or short bio; copy of State of Qatar ID Card. Optionally, you can also provide any previous writing that you think will support your application. All documents must include: writer’s first and last name; project title; and contact details, including email address and phone number. The deadline for submissions is January 14.
The DFI’s team will shortlist candidates whose work shows strong potential for development. “Each shortlisted candidate is invited for an interview, when the team will work with them to begin developing their treatment or script through written and verbal feedback on their work. They will also have a brief interview via Skype with Matthieu Darras, the short scriptwriting lab expert. Candidates will be assessed on their ability to expand and develop their script ideas into coherent stories,” the DFI says.
Founder of NISI MASA, the European Network of Young Cinema, Matthieu Darras has written for the French film magazine Positif since 1998. The range of the NISI MASA’s activities is wide: from documentary workshops to scriptwriting seminars and film journalism training.
Darras graduated in political sciences and sociology. Still he spent most of his study time travelling abroad, reporting for example on Hong Kong cinema. He has been a programmer for the Critics’ Week at the Festival de Cannes, and Artistic Director of the Bratislava Film Festival. He now works as Delegate in Charge of Central and Eastern Europe for the San Sebastian Film Festival, and as Head of Programmes for the TorinoFilmLab