Beirut DC

Calls & Submissions

Impact Lab بالعربي
2022
Lebanon & Syria

Open Call For Submissions Until April 25, 2022
Beirut DC is hosting the local “Impact Lab – Palestine” in partnership with Filmlab Palestine. Submissions are open for film projects and individual participants.
Hosted by Beirut DC, in cooperation with the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Beirut Office – Middle East, Local Impact Lab بالعربي Lebanon – Syria opens the submission call for film projects and individual participants.
Local Impact Lab بالعربي Lebanon – Syria, will be held in June, 2022 for filmmakers and participants from the fields of film production and distribution, campaigning, journalism, politics, marketing, and PR. We are glad to announce that, once again, the lab will be held in Arabic with a few translated interventions. The lab is planned to be held physically unless circumstances impose a virtual option.
The results of the previous regional and local Impact Labs بالعربي continue to unfold as participants become active impact producers and film projects launch Impact campaigns.

Art Of Impact/ Impact Of Art

Initially designed by the UK based DocSociety, the impact model aims to build a community around documentary films by bringing together filmmakers with foundations, NGOs, policymakers, philanthropists, media, etc. in order to address leading social issues, to create new forms of partnerships and to train potential individuals on how to become ‘Impact Producers’. Their role is to take the film campaign from production to impact by delivering an impact campaign, securing key partners, and overseeing the execution of the campaign.
In a time of huge disruption in traditional funding and distribution models in documentary film, an emerging generation of filmmakers is looking for creative ambition and critical acclaim and wants to put their documentary films at the service of profound social change.
Through previous local and regional impact labs, we are seeing a budding impact production network in the Arab region. Films from our region continue to tackle complex topics such as gender, public and individual liberties, sexuality, wars/revolutions, and social minorities, they are tools of communication within the society and can create social impact by collaborating with figures from civil society. The impact labs, especially local ones, create bridges for films to reach new audiences and engage civil society actors in the respective themes they represent.

Impact Lab بالعربي Lebanon - Syria

We will be selecting up to 4 film teams and 15 participants interested in becoming Impact Producers.
Eligibles for selection to this local edition of the lab are:
During the lab, the participants will be guided through the theory and practice of creating impact with documentary films and shown inspiring case studies relevant to their projects. The lab will also allow time and space to share the individual projects’ details, creative ambitions, and impact goals.
After an introduction based on the modules of the Impact Field Guide, the group will embark collectively on extensive brainstorm sessions for each of the selected projects to map out the team’s individual needs and define a set of ambitious impact goals and dream partners.
This lab is a place to imagine how we can collaborate with the best storytellers of our generation and unlock the power of the narrative to communicate complex ideas in these challenging times, using documentary filmmaking as a core part of social and environmental change.

Who Can Apply?

Are you a filmmaker aspiring to create a positive social impact?
Are you a professional in film production and distribution, campaigning, journalism, politics, marketing & PR and curious about stepping into the “Impact Producer” role as part of your career development?
Join us!

To Submit A Film Project:

Fiction features or other formats will only be considered if they have impact potential and tackle social or environmental issues.

To Apply As A Participant Without A Film Project, You Can Be

Lebanese and Syrian citizens inside and outside their home countries;
Citizens of any Arab country residing in Lebanon;
Submissions Close On April 25, 2022
For inquiries: impact@beirutdc.org
The Beirut DC Impact Program is supported by the Ford Foundation, in collaboration with Doc Society.