French Embassy launches programs to foster creative growth for Bahraini filmmakers

TDT | Manama

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The French Embassy in Bahrain and Alliance Française has announced the selection of talented candidates for two prestigious programs, offering them a unique opportunity to further their artistic and cinematic careers. The chosen candidates will receive a comprehensive grant covering tuition fees, travel, accommodation, and a monthly allowance.

The announcement was made during an event at the Shaikh Ebrahim Center, where Bahraini artists’ achievements on the global stage were also showcased.

The event featured the opening and presentation of application rules for two selective programs supported by the French Embassy.

“Produire au Sud” Regional Training Program in Dubai is designed to support directors working on their first feature film, with a focus on scriptwriting and co-financing strategies.

Platform

Residency Program at the “Cité Internationale des Arts” in Paris open to all artists across disciplines — including cinema, dance, architecture, music, street art, digital creation, and visual arts like photography, painting, and video — this residency offers a platform for creative growth in one of the world’s most iconic cultural capitals. All details of the programme are available at the official French Embassy website.

The evening also included the screening of several short films by renowned Bahraini filmmaker Saleh Nass.

The films, which included Game (2012), Central Market (2015), Pick-up (2015), and the latest Sherbet (2024), directed by Danny Gobbins and edited by Nass, captivated the audience of passionate artists, cinema lovers, and filmmakers from Bahrain.

Thoughts

Nass, a Bahraini filmmaker, producer, and editor, attended the event to share his thoughts on the programs.

He expressed his hopes to foster deeper cultural ties between Paris’ legendary film scene and Bahrain’s emerging film industry during his upcoming residency in the French capital.

Nass’s selection for the prestigious Institut Français x Cité Internationale des Arts residency program places him among just 45 filmmakers from around the world chosen for this honor.

The event highlighted the strong cultural connections between Bahrain and France and the French Embassy’s commitment to supporting and nurturing artistic talent in the region.