Dubai Entertainment and Media Organization (“DEMO”), the owner and organizer of both the Dubai International Film Festival (“DIFF”) and the Gulf Film Festival (“GFF”) extends its support through the Dubai Film Market to DIFF and GFF through its Enjaaz Program.  Filmmakers have the opportunity to apply for post production support for their feature film or documentary film and in addition 2012 sees the expansion of the Enjaaz Program with the introduction of a separate fund that has been made available to support filmmakers from the Gulf region with the production of their short film.  

Enjaaz (Production support for Gulf Shorts)

The Enjaaz  program has expanded its mandate by additionally providing funding for the production of short films for Gulf filmmakers. The program aims to support a maximum of five (5) short films, successful applicants will be eligible to receive funding up to a maximum of fifty thousand United States dollars ($50,000). 

Application Timelines:

In 2012: There will be two application cycles:

• Cycle 1: Applications close Feb 1st
• Cycle 2: Applications close August 1st

Eligibility

Projects must:

• Be a short film with a maximum length of forty (40) minutes 
• Be directed by a filmmaker of Gulf nationality or origin as defined hereunder 
• Be centered on the Arab world, Arab history and/or Arab culture
• Have a final script in Arabic or English 
• Have a detailed budget and production schedule/ timeline
• Must be the original work of a sole author or collaboration between two writers

Gulf nationality or origin shall mean people from one or more of the following countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Yemen.

Applicants must:

• Be the right holders/ owners of the project
• Have proven production experience

Notes:

• The script must be registered copyright material
• If the script is based on another individual’s life the applicants must attach a statement attesting the author(s) rights to make such an adaptation
• The script must not have been previously selected,  purchased or produced

Recognition and compliance 

The under mentioned organization needs to be recognized as a producer/co-producer of the project as applicable and is to be acknowledged with a prominent logo on the credits of the film as well as on publicity and all promotional materials relating to the production.

Dubai Entertainment and Media Organisation (DEMO) which will be represented by Enjaaz, Dubai Film Market logo

*More specific credit and compliance requirements will be described in the relevant long form agreement to be entered into with DEMO.

For the avoidance of doubt and unless otherwise agreed upon in writing by DEMO, DEMO shall have the first right of refusal on the world premiere of the submitted film for the subsequent edition of DIFF or GFF.

Application and Contractual Processes 

• Please complete the Enjaaz Gulf Shorts application form and send electronically scanned documents and materials listed in the required documents section.
• Applicants will be informed of the Selection Committee’s decision, eight weeks after the closing date of the application
• Only complete applications as per the instructions listed on the application form and the required documents section will be eligible. Incomplete applications will be disqualified.
• Successful applicants must enter into a contract within one month following notification.

Agreement, Drawdowns, and Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants will receive a conditional commitment letter. The applicant must provide for approval, proof of full financing for the project. The conditions will have to be met before the ‘Agreement’ will be entered into. If the conditions have not been met within thirty (30) days of the date of the commitment letter, the financing maybe rescinded.

The film will need to be completed at the latest within twelve (12) months of signing the Agreement.

The drawdown schedule will be more clearly described in the Agreement, but following is a general description that should help successful applicants to plan their cash flow.

The first payment, of eighty percent (80%), will be issued sixty (60) days after the execution of the Agreement. The second and final payment, of twenty percent (20%), will be issued upon submission and acceptance of:

• the final delivered version of the production;
• fulfilment of all contractual obligations
• and, a final cost report with supporting documents and bills.

Submission Requirements

Please review the Guidelines available and ensure that your project is eligible for application. 

Deadlines: Entries must be submitted by completing the .doc Submission Form in both Arabic and English. Any submission and/or material received after the above deadline will not be accepted.

Submitted Material: The submitted material consists of signed copies of the .doc submission form, and all the additional information listed in the Submission Form. 

Please ensure that the film title and all other requested information are provided in English.

In addition to the above, the application must be accompanied by the following materials:

1. Final Script/Screenplay (dated)
2. Synopsis (1 page) and logline (25 words)
3. Treatment of film 
4. Biographies and Filmographies of director, producer, writer and any other major contributors to the project
5. Production company profile
6. The sum of money required for project completion and how much you are requesting for together with full details of any other funding applications made
7. All financial information including a complete project budget and a detailed plan of  what the fund money will be used for if the application is successful
8. Project timeline and expected date of completion as well as date funds
9. Company registration and Letter of incorporation of the company that owns the rights of the Film and will be entering into an agreement with DEMO together with a passport copy of the authorized signatory who would sign the contract should the application be successful. In addition, an official document that proves that this person is authorized to sign on behalf of the company.
10. Any other materials that you deem would support your application

Submission Shipping: All shipping costs of the Submitted Material must be borne by the submitter/sender. For the avoidance of doubt, the Submitted Material will not be returned to the submitter/sender. All submissions should be sent directly to the hereunder address Enjaaz Shorts

Dubai Film Market

Dubai Media City, CNN Building

1st floor - Management Office

P.O. Box 502600

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Attention: Manager Enjaaz

RE: [film name]

Tel: +971 4 391 3378   Fax: +971 4 367 2892

Email: enjaaz@tecom.ae

To Apply: Please complete the Application Form and send it by email to enjaaz@tecom.ae

Enjaaz_Submission_Form.doc