Pyramedia announced today another initiative undertaken, aimed at contributing to building a sustainable film industry within the Gulf region.  The Media production company headquartered in Abu Dhabi provided 2 trainers, as part of their official sponsorship of a workshop training filmmakers in conjunction with The British Council Audio-Visual workshop.

  The workshop which ran from 18th-22nd July was intended to provide an intense dose of training on script writing, production and direction. The workshop began with a search for Saudi filmmakers to participate in the event, who would eventually produce short films by the end of the workshop.

  The workshop was conducted by two trainers from Pyramedia; Bader Ben Hirsi, the British-Yemeni Director whose film (A New Day in Old Sanaa) won the Best Film Award and Best Director at the Cairo Film Festival in 2005; and Mohammed Al Darajy, whose film (Dreams) won him the Spirit Award and the Best Feature Film award at the Gulf Film Festival 2008 in Dubai.
  "As a media company opting to help establish the cinema industry in the gulf region, we are joining hands the British Council to provide highly professional industry calibers to train and prepare a new generation of filmmakers around the Arab world" says Nashwa Al Ruwaini, CEO of Pyramedia.

  Pyramedia has been working towards establishing a film industry in the Gulf region for a number of years, producing documentaries and establishing the regions first talent agency.  Pyramedia has also established a number of internship placements for students to help media students gain valuable experience in the work-place, the initiative currently invites students from school age to University age to partake in the placements, and currently trains 3-5 students per month.  In addition Nashwa Al Ruwaini, in another role, is also the co-founder of the Middle East International Film Festival - Abu Dhabi which was inaugurated in October 2007.

  10 participants totaled the workshop, being honored with certificates at the end of their training.