DUBAI: Netflix has partnered with Saudi creative hub Righters House to launch “Write the Future — Feature Film Writers Lab,” a screenwriting initiative aimed at developing emerging Saudi writers and strengthening the Kingdom’s growing film industry.
Announced this week, the three-month programme will take place i three regions — Asir, Al Madinah and the Eastern Province — bringing professional training and mentorship directly to local creative communities.
The lab will support 18 selected participants through online masterclasses, in-person writers’ labs and pitch preparation sessions. Participants will receive guidance in key areas of screenwriting, including story development, character creation, narrative structure and pitching.
Pelin Mavili, Netflix’s director of global affairs for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, said investing in writers is essential to building a sustainable creative ecosystem.
“Screenwriting is at the heart of storytelling, and investing in writers is one of the most meaningful ways we can support the future of storytelling ... we are focused on building skills, creating access to industry expertise, and supporting emerging voices across Saudi Arabia,” she said.
The program, delivered in Arabic, will conclude with each participant completing a full feature-film development package, preparing them to take their projects forward.
That package will include a logline, synopsis, treatment, pitch deck, and a recorded pitch.
This “is a strategic step to empower writers living in the Kingdom with global storytelling tools, bridging the gap between creative potential and professional industry standards, said Rulan Hasan, co-founder and head of content at Righters House.
