About Us
Close Up is a training, development, and mentorship program for documentary filmmakers from
South West Asia and North Africa.
Positioned at the intersection of arts, media, social change, and peace-building, Close Up is the only initiative of its kind in the region, creating a transformational experience for young filmmakers, coming from diverse ethnic, religious, cultural, and political backgrounds, including Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.
Close Up was founded as a non-profit organization based in Belgium by five partners who collectively believe that working with emerging filmmakers from our region is essential to creating and maintaining cultural awareness and protecting our future. The partners include: Sigal Yehuda, Bruni Burres, Vincent Melilli, John Appel and Ahmet Boyacioglu.
Our Program
We support filmmakers in developing and creating compelling documentaries that illuminate the social and political realities of our complex and ever-changing region.
News & Newsletter
Join our mailing list to hear updates about our program and activities
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NOTHING CALLED HOME Selected to Sunny Side of the Doc 2022
NOTHING CALLED HOME has been selected to Sunny Side of the Doc! Congratulations to director Arkus and producer Gargi Chakrabarti! As part of Sunny Side’s New Voices […]
Close Up 2022 / 2023 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Close Up 2022 / 2023 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS Close Up is very happy to announce our call for applications for our fourth edition! After an incredibly […]
Haven’t caught the first episode of our podcast yet?
Haven’t caught the first episode of our podcast yet? LISTEN NOW! >> https://tinyurl.com/CloseUpPodcast Our podcast is centered around the notion of cultural legacy is one of […]
Apply Now: Alter-Ciné Foundation Documentary Grant
Filmmakers – apply now to the Alter-Ciné Foundation! The deadline for submissions is AUGUST 15. Every year, the Foundation awards a grant of 10,000 Canadian dollars […]
Close Up Partners with The Whickers
Close Up Partners with The Whickers We are very happy to announce that a brand new documentary funding award for filmmakers in Southwest Asia And […]
Two Close Up Projects at Sheffield MeetMarket
Two Close Up Projects at Sheffield MeetMarket Two Close Up projects have been selected for Sheffield DocFest MeetMarket pitching forum! We congratulate the filmmakers and wish […]
BAGHDAD ON FIRE in Hot Docs Dealmaker
BAGHDAD ON FIRE in Hot Docs Dealmaker Along with two Close Up projects in Hot Docs Forum, we are thrilled another project will partake in Hot […]
FILMMAKER IN FOCUS: Rachida El Garani
FILMMAKER IN FOCUS: RACHIDA EL GARANI Learn about the talented and determined filmmaker Rachida El Garani! Rachida is a Close Up alumna with her film IN […]