FAQs
What is Rawi Screenwriters Lab?
Rawi Screenwriters Lab is an advanced creative and project-development Lab for Arab screenwriters working on feature-length narrative screenplays.
The Lab supports selected Fellows through one-on-one mentorship, creative reflection, and focused screenplay development with experienced Creative Advisors.
Is Rawi a training workshop?
No. Rawi is not a general training workshop or a basic screenwriting course.
It is designed for writers who already have a complete feature-length narrative screenplay and are ready to engage seriously with feedback, rewriting, and creative development.
When and where will Rawi Screenwriters Lab 21st Edition take place?
Rawi Screenwriters Lab’s 21st Edition will take place in Jordan from 26 November to 2 December 2026.
The five core Lab days will take place from 27 November to 1 December 2026. The exact venue will be announced later.
Travel dates will be confirmed with selected Fellows according to the final Lab schedule and available travel arrangements.
How many projects will be selected?
Up to eight screenwriting projects will be selected.
Each selected project may be represented by one Fellow or, where applicable, by an eligible co-writing team.
Who can apply?
Rawi is open to Arab screenwriters working on their first or second feature-length narrative film as a writer or co-writer.
Applicants may apply as:
- independent screenwriters;
- writer-directors;
- co-writers in a co-writing team.
What does “first or second feature-length narrative film” mean?
Only produced feature-length narrative films count toward this limit.
If the applicant has not had a feature-length narrative film produced before, the submitted project would be considered their first.
If the applicant has already had one feature-length narrative film produced as a credited writer or co-writer, the submitted project would be considered their second.
Unproduced screenplays, previous attempts, or projects still in development do not count.
Can Rawi alumni apply again?
No. Rawi alumni are not eligible to apply again, whether with the same project or with a new project.
If a Rawi alumnus is attached to a submitted project as a co-writer, the project may still be reviewed only if the main applicant is eligible. However, the alumnus is not eligible to attend or participate in the Lab if the project is selected.
Can co-writers apply?
Yes. Co-writing teams may apply, provided that the main applicant is eligible and any co-writer expected to attend meets the eligibility and participation requirements.
If a project has three credited writers, participation by a third writer is subject to exceptional review, program capacity, eligibility, and approval by the Rawi Team.
Can a director attend the Lab?
Only if the director is also a writer or co-writer of the submitted screenplay.
Directors who are not writers or co-writers of the submitted screenplay are not eligible to attend the Lab as Fellows.
What kinds of projects are eligible?
Only complete feature-length narrative screenplays are eligible.
Documentaries, short films, series projects, pilots, episodic projects, treatments, outlines, incomplete screenplays, dialogue transcripts, A/V two-column scripts, and unformatted drafts are not eligible as the required screenplay submission.
I do not have a complete feature-length screenplay. Can I apply?
No. Applicants must submit a complete feature-length narrative screenplay.
Rawi is not intended for applicants who are still at the idea, treatment, outline, or early draft stage.
What screenplay format is required?
Submitted screenplays must follow standard feature screenplay format.
The screenplay should generally use 12-point Courier or a Courier-equivalent font, standard screenplay layout, scene headings, action lines, character names, dialogue, and parentheticals. Pages should be numbered in the top right corner.
The submitted English screenplay must be uploaded as a PDF file.
How long should the screenplay be?
The submitted screenplay must be a complete feature-length narrative screenplay.
Screenplays below 60 pages may trigger a required justification explaining how the project is intended to function as a feature-length narrative film.
Can I upload the screenplay in its original language in addition to English?
Yes. If the screenplay was originally written in Arabic, French, or another language, applicants may upload the original-language version as optional supporting material.
However, the complete English screenplay is still required and remains the official screenplay for eligibility, completeness review, and evaluation.
The original-language version does not replace the English screenplay and does not guarantee that all Creative Consultants will read it.
Can I apply if I do not hold Arab nationality?
Arab nationality is the standard eligibility basis.
In rare cases, applicants who do not hold Arab nationality but can provide documented proof of Arab origin may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Residence in an Arab country does not by itself establish eligibility.
What language should the application be submitted in?
The official application form and required written materials must be submitted in English.
Some specific fields or uploads may request Arabic, original-language, or supporting documentation.
The complete English screenplay remains mandatory and official for eligibility, completeness review, and evaluation.
What if I cannot submit my materials in English?
Applicants who need support translating their materials into English may submit a Translation Support Request before the translation support request deadline.
The Translation Support Request Form is separate from the official Rawi application and does not replace it.
Applicants whose translation support requests are approved must still complete and submit the official application form in English by the main application deadline.
Approval for translation support does not extend the main application deadline and does not guarantee eligibility, shortlisting, selection, or favorable evaluation.
Does translation support include editing or application coaching?
No. Translation support does not include rewriting, editing, script development, project consultancy, application coaching, or suggested answers.
Applicants remain responsible for reviewing the translated materials before submitting the official application.
Do I need to complete the Previous Work / Professional Experience section?
Yes. The Previous Work / Professional Experience section is required and cannot be skipped.
If applicants have previous audiovisual work to share, they must provide at least one previous work link.
If applicants do not have previous audiovisual work links available, they must explain their relevant film, television, audiovisual, screenwriting, writing, theater, or creative background and why no shareable audiovisual work link is available.
Do I need a project or screenplay registration certificate to apply?
Applicants will be asked whether they have a project or screenplay registration certificate, copyright deposit confirmation, registration with an official body, copyright deposit service, writers’ guild, or equivalent recognised registration mechanism.
If registration proof is available, applicants should upload it.
If registration proof is not available at the time of application, applicants must provide a short explanation and confirm that they will submit the proof within one week from the application submission date.
The Rawi Team cannot provide legal advice on where or how to register a screenplay.
Can I save my application and return to it later?
Yes. Applicants may save their work as a draft before final submission.
Drafts are saved in the applicant’s browser/device, not on the Rawi Team’s server. A saved draft is not submitted and will not be reviewed.
Applicants should use the same browser and device when returning to a saved draft. They should not clear browser cache, cookies, site data, or private browsing data before submitting, because this may delete the saved draft.
Applicants must reopen the draft, complete the application, and click the final Submit button before the deadline.
How do I know my application was submitted?
Applicants must click the final Submit button at the end of the form.
After submitting, applicants may see a Kobo confirmation notice. Applicants should also receive an automated confirmation email within approximately 10 minutes of successful submission.
The confirmation email is the main receipt applicants should keep as confirmation that the application was received.
How are applications evaluated?
Each complete and eligible application will be reviewed by three Creative Consultants.
The selection process may include technical eligibility and completeness review, creative evaluation, deliberation, online interviews with shortlisted applicants, final recommendations, and final selection by the RFC following the approved Rawi selection process.
Will shortlisted applicants be interviewed?
Only shortlisted applicants may be invited to an online interview as part of the selection process.
The interview is not a pitch test. It is a conversation intended to better understand the writer’s vision, development needs, openness to feedback, and ability to benefit from Rawi.
When will results be announced?
Results are expected to be announced by mid-October 2026.
Applicants should not consider any application status final unless communicated officially by the Rawi Team.
Does Rawi provide production funding, distribution, festival placement, or future support?
No. Rawi does not provide production funding, production services, distribution, festival placement, market access, or guarantees of future support.
Participation in Rawi does not guarantee that a project will be produced, financed, distributed, selected by a festival, selected by another RFC program, or supported in the future.
Can applicants contact Creative Consultants or Creative Advisors about their applications?
No. Applicants must not contact or attempt to influence Creative Consultants, Creative Advisors, or anyone involved in the evaluation and selection process.
Any official questions or concerns must be directed to the Rawi Team through the official contact email.
Who can I contact for questions?
For inquiries, contact: Rawi@film.jo