Dibeen Lab:

Dibeen creative lab aims to train local youth residing in North- West Jordan to give them the opportunity to tell their own stories through digital content creation.

 

The interactive training program teaches content creators how to come up with their own concepts and transform their ideas into audio visual content that highlights the diversity and richness of their local environment.

 

The idea of the lab was inspired though several masterpiece films that have been shot only on smart phones and have reached audiences world-wide as well as festivals. More importantly, using this medium will boost their confidence to depend on themselves only to create their content and films without the complexity of handling a professional camera.

 

The lab aims to enhance participants’ skills in storytelling, from an idea to the screen. We will also feature their films to reach a wider audience, through film screenings at national cultural centers, schools, universities and social media platforms.

 

The lab will also help talented participants in locating jobs or more advanced training opportunities in relevant fields whether in filmmaking, photography or social media creation.

Lab Target:

Youth, both female and male are encouraged to participate in our lab. We are targeting potential trainees living in Dibeen and other locations of proximity, such as Jerash, Ajloun, Souf, Burma. We will also continuously seek collaboration with other governorates in Jordan.

 

Potential participants will be selected according to their existing background, interest and passion for media creation.

Why Dibeen:

Dibeen is part of a forest nature reserve, located in the North-West of Jordan. It is situated just South of the Roman site of Jerash and covers an area of pine oak hills and is also is the home to 17 endangered species.

 

We are targeting participants specifically from this region as it is one of the underserved areas outside the city of Amman in art, cultural and training opportunities.

 

There are many interesting topics that can be highlighted through audiovisual content such as the relationship between the village and the city, the villagers’ connection with the land, water and land preservation, endangered species, forestry and shepherding.

 

Through out 15 days, the trainees will enjoy a retreat in a fully equipped farm located in the heart of Dibeen forest. They will be able to engage in discussions with the trainer in the secluded and inspiring farm with a view of the breathtaking forests of Dibeen. At the same location, they will also be assisted in editing and finalising their content.

Meet the instructor:

Jordanian director Mahmoud Massad is the instructor and founder of the Dibeen lab. Massad has mentored and instructor numerous film related workshops, seminars and labs globally.

 

Massad received acclaim for his feature documentaries Shatter Hassan, Recycle and This is my picture when I was dead, reaching audiences worldwide.

 

His latest narrative feature film “Blessed Benefit” won three international awards for the script of this film. This film premiered in 2016 at Toronto International Film Festival and won the the Netpac jury award for the Best Asian film as well as the Special jury award for best acting at Warsaw Film Festival. The film is exclusively featured on Netflix.

Jordanian director Mahmoud Massad is the instructor and founder of the Dibeen lab. Massad has mentored and instructor numerous film related workshops, seminars and labs globally.

 

Massad received acclaim for his feature documentaries Shatter Hassan, Recycle and This is my picture when I was dead, reaching audiences worldwide.

 

His latest narrative feature film “Blessed Benefit” won three international awards for the script of this film. This film premiered in 2016 at Toronto International Film Festival and won the the Netpac jury award for the Best Asian film as well as the Special jury award for best acting at Warsaw Film Festival. The film is exclusively featured on Netflix.

Lab Outcome:

The latest edition of the Dibeen Lab was designed to provide 10 youth, both females and males from Sakeb area, the opportunity to create short audio-visual content through a two-week practical workshop.

 

The participants learned through theoretical and practical methods the art of storytelling and creating digital content with the help of smart phones. They also learned about editing footage, audio recording and producing their own films.

 

They were introduced to the basics of visual communication, to gain technical skills in film-making software to be able to develop their own personal style and above all in an outdoor, engaging environment, in an area where they are familiar with, Sakeb. A local environmental activist also attended the workshop to tell the participants about the importance of preserving the ecosystem of their surrounding environment on daily basis.

 

The participants were grouped into teams of two, creating five short  videos about the environment, such deforestation and wood cutting, water scarcity, over-grazing effect on the environment, traditional organic plants and the endangered Cedar trees.

 

Throughout their filming experience, to some, an eye-opening one, where they have noticed how they are harming the environment and decided to make change which is the bigger picture we are trying to introduce through environmental awareness raising through their own story-telling. To not only be passionate about their work and what they create but also to be subconsciously mindful and protective of their own environment.

 

Once ready, the content will be screened at a closing ceremony to celebrate the outcome of the lab and share the stories of the trainees with their local community and families.

At a later stage, the content will be posted on social media pages for this lab and will be promoted on other portals, schools, cultural and environmental events etc.

After the conclusion of the training each participant will plant five trees in barren areas or others where trees have been uprooted in the surrounding forests. A celebration event will also be held to screen the participants’ films and to be held alongside an environmental discussion to raise awareness about this area.