In pictures: Arab Film Studio training program

The 11 students are a widely mixed bunch – the only qualifying criteria to enter the competition being that they are GCC residents and have produced a one- to three-minute films featuring the words “use your imagination”. Silvia Razgova / The National

Egyptian Mohammad Magdy and Emirati Shahad al Shehhi, work together as they and other young filmmakers learn how to operate a crane camera. Silvia Razgova / The National

mirati Shahad al Shehhi, listens in as (NYU Abu Dhabi professor Fadi Wahbeh, who has been tutoring the students through the final stages of their training before they go into production with their solo movies, instructs her. Silvia Razgova / The National

Following a three-month boot camp covering everything from scriptwriting to post-production, they should be moulded into a crack unit of filmmakers. Each will be required to make their own film with the winner receiving a Dh50,000 development deal from Image Nation. Silvia Razgova / The National

Alongside four successful Emirati applicants are students from Holland, the United Kingdom, Sudan, Kuwait and Egypt. Levels of experience range from those already working in the industry to film fans who saw the ad on Facebook and simply decided to give it a go. Silvia Razgova / The National

Young filmmakers learn how to operate a crane camera as they participate in the two-week training program by TwoFour54 and Imagenation, the Arab Film Studio.