Workshops 2024-2025

Close Up 2024-2025 First Workshop has ended successfully in Tbilisi, Georgia, and marked the start of an exciting creative journey. We had an incredibly inspiring week, full of creativity! Our filmmakers (2024-2025 cohort) have been working intensely with their mentors John Appel, Gitte Hansen, Lucila Moctezuma, & Nino Kirtadze on the development of their projects and were challenged to find creative solutions regarding story and storytelling.

Our mentor John Appel gave a lecture on storytelling in documentaries, we watched excerpts by Close Up alumni as John explored the solutions these filmmakers found in developing their projects. We had a fascinating master class by esteemed filmmaker Talal Derki followed by a screening of his Award winning film “Of Father & Sons”, Talal spoke with us about his filmmaking process, his creative artwork and philosophy in filmmaking. Talal shared insights into the creative process, from the early stage of an idea to research, writing, shooting, working with characters, editing, financing, and distribution.

Our mentor Gitte Hansen gave a lecture on how to write a comprehensive and strong written proposal, including the project’s title, the importance of a logline, a clear synopsis, and a director statement, using proposals done by former Close Up alumni.

In addition we were honored to screen two Close Up alumni’s films followed by Q&A, Kamay by Ilyas Yourish (Close Up 2019-2020) and Ever Since I Knew Myself  by Maka Gogaladze (Close Up 2022-2023). Both screenings were followed by engaging Q&A sessions with the filmmakers, providing valuable insights into their creative processes.

On the final day of the workshop, our filmmakers presented their projects to the entire group and received valuable feedback from the Close UP mentors, Gitte Hansen, John Appel, Lucila Moctezuma, Nino Kirtadze and Close UP Founder & Executive Director Sigal Yehuda and special expert guest Talal Derki.

The filmmakers begin working on concrete assignments that were given to them by the Close UP mentors and team, in preparation for the second workshop, scheduled for early March 2025.

Being surrounded by this group of talented and insightful emerging filmmakers with such dedication, commitment, and creativity fills us with immense energy and inspiration!

We are looking forward to continuing the creative work with our filmmakers and can’t wait to see the development of these beautiful projects!