New York-based Manhattan Film Academy (MFA) is offering an intensive five-month film production program in association with Dubai Studio City. The MFA has previously conducted four short certification courses in Dubai. This is the first time it has offered a full-semester program.
The program will run from January to May at the Dubai Knowledge Village. Filmmakers and film enthusiasts from across the region can apply to earn MFA certification in acting, screenwriting, directing, cinematography, or film editing.
Three ten-day courses are being offered this year between November 16 and 25 in the areas of screenwriting, acting for film, and directing. Each certification course costs AED 5,000 (about $1,300) plus registration fees.
“There are no criteria for eligibility,” explains Niaz Alam, MFA’s Dubai course facilitator. “Anyone who is interested or has a knack for acting and directing is welcome.” Alam says the certification courses have proved popular, which is what motivated the MFA to offer a more thorough full-semester program.
The Dubai film production program comes at a time of continued expansion of the American film industry into the Middle East. The New York Film Academy, also a prominent U.S. film school, is set to open an Abu Dhabi branch at the beginning of 2008.
MFA faculty have taught at leading film programs and schools across the United States and Europe. Members of the MFA include American and European filmmakers who have won Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, Golden Globes, and European Film Awards. |
