Talented FUNN Students Travel to South Korea to Share Filmmaking Expertise

Two outstanding young filmmakers from FUNN, the Sharjah-based government entity dedicated to promoting media arts among young people, have been taking part in a unique series of advanced workshops at South Korea’s Dong Ah Institute of Media and Arts (DIMA).

Students Ali Nabil Al Ameri and Rami Amr Zenati were selected to travel to DIMA as part of a cultural exchange programme organised by FUNN in collaboration with the institute because of their exceptional abilities in filmmaking, acting and directing. The workshops, held from 24-30 July were a perfect opportunity for them to exchange knowledge and learn new skills and techniques with other students from across the world.

The workshops provided the opportunity for FUNN participants to share the industry expertise they have acquired through the courses in Sharjah and showcase the work on their films at the end of the seven-day training programme.

Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qassimi, Director of FUNN and Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival (SICFF), said: “This has been an exceptional chance for the FUNN students to not only gain an insight into foreign best practices, it has also given international students and overseas experts a glimpse into the depth of talent we have to offer. We are determined to ensure that we share our own talent as well as learn from others as a way to produce better filmmaking across the world. At FUNN, we can play a genuine role in helping to achieve that.”

Sheikha Jawaher added: “Empowering these students to create their own films and inspiring them to choose a career in the film industry is our ultimate goal and with each step, we see that is happening.”

Dong-ah Institute of Media and Arts, which celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year, specialises in training professionals in media design, production, and communications, and enjoys a worldwide reputation for being a notable training ground for South Korea’s immense movie industry. It organises a host of cultural programmes throughout the year to provide students with the skills to broaden their horizons and provide new opportunities.

FUNN aims to nurture a future generation of creative artists in media and film industry, and promotes new media works and films made by children and young filmmakers in the UAE at international film festivals and conferences worldwide. Its larger goal is to foster talent through these festivals, conferences and workshops locally and internationally, and form a close-knit network of talented young people who can share experiences and expertise on a global scale.