The first 2022-2023 Close Up workshop was a success!

Joining us in Jordan from December 9th to 16th, the seventeen selected filmmakers came from all around Southwest Asia and North Africa. Throughout this intense week of work and dialogue they received mentorship and guidance needed to get further along with their projects!

Our experienced mentors Bruni Burres and Gitte Hansen, John Appel and Nino Kirtadzé worked with our filmmakers to develop their projects through a number of group meetings and one-on-one meetings, workshops and lectures!
We were also super happy to be joined by the renowned filmmaker Amini Aboozar who had a conversation with this year’s Close Up filmmakers and presented his beautiful award-winning film KABUL, CITY IN THE WIND (2018).

Asmahan Bkerat and Ban Maraqa, whose project CONCRETE LAND has been selected to a handful festivals and markets since their participation at Close Up last year, were also present with us!

After two years of online workshops, it was a blast to meet in person again!

Check out our full first Workshop program here!