TORONTO, FEB 23 2022 – Open Screenplay is proud to host the M Film Lab’s Spring 2022 program, focused on empowering Black screenwriters, in partnership with Black Women Film! Canada, the Pillars Fund and the Muslim Public Affairs Council’s Hollywood Bureau. This is a free-to-join screenwriting workshop and mentorship opportunity for Black screenwriters to work with a team of acclaimed mentors and industry professionals to hone their skills and prepare for a career in film and television writing.
Mentors attached to this program include an array of acclaimed Black screenwriters, filmmakers, producers and educators including: Matty Rich, Ella Cooper, Yule Caise, Hope Olaide Wilson, Qasim Basir, and Bridgette Burgess.
Mr. Mohanad Malas, founder of The M Film Lab said “The lab aspires to provide an ecosystem for filmmakers to create authentic stories and diverse characters and to produce work that is creative, compelling, and with a strong social message. We recognize that despite recent progress on screen, the industry is still far from proportionate representation of Black writers and directors. That’s why for our Spring 2022 program we are focused on creating opportunities for Black storytellers, and will hopefully launch the careers of 6 talented writers”
The M Film Lab utilizes Open Screenplay’s online platform, advanced screenwriting and collaboration tools, to facilitate the efficient hosting of workshops that reaches more aspiring storytellers.
Commenting on the significance of this initiative, Open Screenplay Founder & CEO, Khaled Sabawi said “Most screenwriting labs offer valuable screenwriting theory, but don’t include the production of a completed screenplay. By utilizing Open Screenplay to host and manage the lab, resources are freed up which can be allocated toward production, thereby increasing the impact, enhancing the experience for the participants, and attracting a very high caliber of applicants. We applaud the M Film Lab, and its founder Mr. Malas, for having the vision to employ our technology for such a worthwhile initiative”.
Applications for the M Film Lab Spring 2022 program can be submitted at https://www.openscreenplay.com/mfilmlab.com
About Black Women Film! Canada
Black Women Film! Canada is a not for profit & community support network dedicated to the success of Black women professionals in film & media.
Press Contact: Ella Cooper
Email: operations@blackwomenfilm.ca
About Pillars Fund
The Pillars Fund amplifies the leadership, narratives, and talents of Muslims in the United States to advance opportunity and justice for all. Since their founding in 2010, Pillars has distributed more than $6 million in grants to Muslim organizations and leaders who advance social good. Pillars Fund invest in community-focused initiatives, push back against harmful narratives, uplift Muslim stories, and give collectively to generate resources within Muslim communities for Muslim communities.
Press Contact: Arij Mikati
Email: arij@pillarsfund.org
About MPAC Hollywood Bureau
MPAC’s Hollywood Bureau changes the narrative of Islam and Muslims in the entertainment industry so that audiences see Muslims as vital contributors to creating social and cultural change in America and around the world. We do this by engaging decision makers and creatives to improve the quality of authentic, nuanced, and inclusive depictions of Islam and Muslims. We also create opportunities for Muslim storytellers to tell their own stories
Press Contact: Sue Obeidi
Email: sue@mpac.org
About Open Screenplay
Open Screenplay, a free, first-of-its-kind online platform that enables businesses to generate authentic and diverse stories from their audience while providing access to writers struggling to break into the business by helping them create better stories through the platform’s proven story-writing process and tools. Open Screenplay is creating a global community, where members have the option to collaborate with writers around the world. Visit us at www.openscreenplay.com
Press Contact: Khaled Sabawi, Founder & CEO
Email: press@openscreenplay.com
