Women must be everywhere. They must be in the images, behind the camera, in the editing room and involved in every stage of the making of a film. They must be the ones to talk about their problems.
—Sarah Maldoror
All of us, all of us who come from the world of women in the shadows, are reversing the process: at last it is we who are looking, we who are making a beginning.
– Assia Djebar
Launched in 2020, Mouatheqat is a nine month fellowship incubator for female professionals to acquire and exchange the necessary skills to write, research, direct, produce and edit a documentary film. Its main focus lies in the exploration of and experimentation with different forms of storytelling emanating from individual perspectives, reflecting the filmmakers own voices and experiences. Through an interconnected series of modules implemented online and offline between Berlin and the African/Arab region, the program guides the fellows through a holistic filmmaking process from the idea to the delivery of a documentary film. Mouatheqat is designed to connect and cross-pollinate intergenerational, interdisciplinary and intercultural imaginaries of women who are keen on transmitting their voices to a worldwide audience.
Storytelling is a formidable tool and factual narratives such as documentaries are the bedrock for constructing a vision for the future. Visual culture has become the main vehicle of cultural transmission, yet it is subject to a vast marginalisation of diverse female voices with immeasurable implications. Mouatheqat’s objective is to contribute to a radical transformation of the existing audiovisual space through an interconnected community of women documentary film professionals: Women in Dox.
The fellowship is offered to six motivated women from various professional backgrounds: We encourage the application of directors, producers, cinematographers, researchers, editors, sound engineers and other creatives of the profession who are inspired by collective practice and the desire to tell their stories through documentary film. The fellowship is open to all levels of professional experiences. Mouatheqat is a tuition-free program targeting six different countries for each cycle.
The countries in focus change for each edition. For its second edition (2022), fellows of the following countries and their international diasporas are eligible: Senegal, Morocco, Libya, Palestine, Lebanon
Implemented with a strong network of national, regional and international creative, cultural and civil society organisations, film festivals and markets in Europe and the Arab/African region, the fellowship aims to connect the fellows to the international industry, creating hubs of exchange to interconnect the creative sectors of the Africa/Arab region and of Europe. The program is designed and conducted with the support of a wide network of internationally recognised film professionals associated with DOX BOX.
DOX BOX is keen to open the space for diverse perspectives and narratives, regardless of class, sexual orientation, gender-expression, disability, mental illness, physical appearance, body, age, race, ethnicity or religion.
Acquiring the know-how to make a documentary from idea to final film is not a simple task. The way to proceed at different stages of the process is key to making the creative vision a reality. During the nine months program, the six selected fellows will be guided through each step of the process by a tailored series of traditional, experimental and alternative sessions conducted by internationally recognised practitioners.
By the end of the program each fellow will have finalised a documentary film, working collectively to translate their acquired skills into hands-on experience on the ground. After completion, the fellows will have the necessary knowledge, experience and network to pass on the craft of documentary filmmaking to their peers.
The fellowship is divided into 3 phases:
Phase 1: Story Incubator Online (Februay – March)
Turning ideas to shootable scripts, this phase charts the filmmaking process until pre-production.
Phase 2: Writing and Implementation in Senegal (April – July)
Adapting scripts, location scouting and shooting with local production partners in Senegal.
Phase 3: Post-Production and Distribution in Berlin (September – November)
Editing and post-production finalisation, including devising a strategy for festival distribution.
Each of the fellows will attend one international film festival/market during the course of the fellowship facilitated by DOX BOX (subject to the individual festivals’ COVID-19 regulations online or offline). DOX BOX will encourage encounters between the fellows and international professionals, including Berlin-based Arab/African filmmakers for possible collaborations both physical and through the DOX BOX online community.
DOX BOX is committed to creating space for the fellows to formulate their thoughts and acquire the skills necessary, without being submitted to any form of prior formatting. The fellows, on their part, will be required to fully commit to the program and to the spirit of collaboration it aims to foster.
> Open to applicants from the following countries and their international diasporas: Senegal, Morocco, Libya, Palestine, Lebanon.
< Open to different levels of professional documentary filmmaking experience Open to directors, producers, cinematographers, researchers, editors, sound engineers, line producers, writers, animators or any other aspect of the profession.
> A passport valid until December 2022 minimum.
- < Full COVID-19 vaccination*
- > Knowledge of the English language is required to follow the course.
*Please check the following website for the vaccinations required to enter the European Union:
https://www.pei.de/EN/newsroom/dossier/coronavirus/coronavirus-content.html?cms_pos=3
Mouatheqat is a tuition-free fellowship program for aspiring Arab/African women documentary filmmakers.
APPLICATION IS NOW CLOSED
For questions please send us an email at mouatheqat@dox-box.org
Mouatheqat alters common selection processes. A story treatment is not the basis of selection. Successful applicants demonstrate their eagerness to use documentary film as their desired medium for storytelling and their desire for a long term career by acquiring the tools of this practice. Candidates should be dedicated to learning every aspect of the filmmaking process in a collaborative manner.
Application Form here
The fellows will be selected by an independent Jury. Successful candidates will be invited for video interviews in December.
Please note: only complete applications can be considered
