FEST FILM LAB is pleased to present the Abu Dhabi edition of the Artificial Intelligence in Film & TV Industries: Creative Module Workshop with Martin Percy, organised in collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi.

For this edition, NYUAD will act as our venue partner, hosting the workshop on its Abu Dhabi campus and helping create the ideal setting for an intensive, practical and internationally oriented training experience. WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

You’ve no doubt heard the claim that "A poet needs a pen, a painter a brush, and a filmmaker an army." Well, with the advent of AI-generated film, we’re approaching the time when a filmmaker just needs to sit at their computer and get access to AI to make their film. You may be able to “write” your entire film the way you can write a script - creating “performers”, action and location, alone with your computer. We’re not there yet - but this course will help you see where we are now. This intensive weekend workshop will take you through the complete pipeline of AI-assisted filmmaking, from initial concept to finished production. By the end of this course, you will have created your first pieces of AI-generated video and gained hands-on experience with the latest cutting-edge AI image and video tools currently available. Are AI tools perfect? No. Things which are easy to film - two people speaking in a room - can be very hard or impossible to do well in AI. By contrast, things that are very hard to film for real - a 19th century dock scene with working steam trains and tall sailing ships - can be done very easily in AI. You’re not making a film in five years’ time - you’re making a film now. So we will show you what you need to know now, warts and all. Do you need technical skills to participate? No. But it is helpful if you have some basic familiarity with using AI. We will focus on accessible tools that are easy to use for non-technical people, not complex systems requiring coding experience. You will have the chance not only to learn these cutting-edge techniques but also to interact in a very direct way, as the group will have up to 25 participants, making it highly practical and interactive. The workshop will be hands-on, with participants working on their own material throughout the weekend. Depending on the scale and complexity of your vision, you may not complete your short film by the end of the workshop, but you will have the knowledge you need to continue independently. WORKSHOP CURRICULUM PRE-WORKSHOP: SCRIPT DEVELOPMENT Two weeks before the in-person course, we conduct a 1-hour Zoom call exploring how to use an AI system for scriptwriting and development, including ways to shape the writing style and improve creative output. We’ll also look at successful AI films and current limitations to help you prepare your script in advance. FOUNDATIONS: PROMPTING AND IMAGE GENERATION Using an LLM to help generate advanced prompts for image creation. Fundamentals of creating compelling images from text. Understanding the strengths, limitations and quality-control issues of AI image generation. Considering your "shooting ratio" - how many images you may need to create to get the one you really want. CHARACTER CONSISTENCY AND VIDEO GENERATION Building character consistency across multiple angles and shots. Creating character libraries. Generating video from still images and text. Managing challenges with voice, continuity and performance control. Understanding video "shooting ratio" and costs. ENHANCEMENT AND POST-PRODUCTION Refining and improving AI-generated images and video. Making footage feel more realistic and production-ready. Preparing material for further video generation and editing. Understanding the critical importance of human oversight in the edit, and why AI systems still give imperfect results that need human judgement. FINISHING AND MUSIC Adding music and sound. Final editing and delivery considerations. ETHICS AND POLITICS: AI AS A HISTORICAL MILESTONE AI represents a major milestone in human history which will have a major impact on all our lives. AI films are very unpopular with some people - so if you describe yourself as an AI filmmaker, you will likely be challenged about AI ethics. We won’t push a particular viewpoint, but we will explore the key questions so you can articulate your own position on these issues. SUBSCRIPTIONS To get the most from this workshop, participants should be prepared to subscribe to suitable AI image and video services. We may also provide shared access to certain tools during the workshop where appropriate. ABOUT MARTIN PERCY Martin Percy is a British director celebrated for his pioneering work in interactive cinema, virtual reality, and the creative use of artificial intelligence in film. A graduate of King’s College, Cambridge, Percy has built a career defined by experimentation with new forms of storytelling that actively involve the audience, merging narrative, technology, and participation.

His breakthrough came with Lifesaver (2012), an interactive crisis simulator that won a Grand Clio Award, a Webby Award, and received a BAFTA nomination. The project, which featured Daisy Ridley in her first professional role, established Percy as a leading figure in interactive film. He later expanded this format with Heart Class (2019), which won an Emmy in the United States, and CardiacCrash (2023), a Canadian project that won three Webby Awards and was nominated for the Canadian Screen Awards.

Percy has collaborated with some of the most respected institutions in the world, including the Tate Modern, the British Film Institute, the National Theatre, and the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. His projects have often brought together acclaimed actors such as Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Derek Jacobi, and Daisy Ridley, combining high-profile talent with cutting-edge interactive design. His VR project Virry VR (2017), filmed at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, received both BAFTA and Webby recognition and reinforced his reputation as a leading innovator in immersive media.

In recent years, Percy has increasingly integrated artificial intelligence into his practice, creating works that adapt to the user’s emotions, decisions, and interactions. Projects such as AI Basics: Thrills or Chills (2023) and the Adaptive-Media Interview Coach exemplify his commitment to exploring how AI can reshape creative expression and audience engagement. His TEDx talk, How to Save Lives with Interactive Film, highlighted his dedication to using new technologies not just for storytelling, but also for education and social impact. Throughout his career, Martin Percy has been recognised with a BAFTA, an Emmy, a Grand Clio, and more than a dozen Webby Awards. His work stands at the intersection of creativity and innovation, continually pushing the boundaries of how stories can be told and experienced.

ABOUT PETER WEBBER Peter Webber has had a diverse career as a director of film, television and documentaries including the critically renowned ˜Girl with a Pearl Earring™ and the HBO series "Six Feet Under". Peter is perhaps best known for his film directorial debut ˜Girl With a Pearl Earring", the film adaptation of Tracey Chevalier's bestselling novel. The film tells the story of the creation of the famous painting by Dutch master Johannes Vermeer of the same name. The film saw Peter directing Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth as the films leads. Released in 2004 the film went on to be nominated for no less than 3 Academy Awards, 10 BAFTA nominations as well as numerous other honours. Webber was then tapped by Dino de Laurentis to direct "Hannibal Rising". Based on Thomas Harris upcoming new book of the same name, and starring Gaspard Ulliel, Li Gong and Anthony Hopkins, In 2012 Peter directed the Feature Film "Emperor", Starring Tommy Lee Jones, and Mathew Fox. Peter has also directed the Netflix Original Pickpockets (2018). His documentary work includes the award-winning environmental feature documentary Ten Billion (2015) and Earth: One Amazing Day (2017), narrated by Robert Redford and Jackie Chan. Webber's most recent productions include the "Kingdoms of Fire" (2019), television series, which takes viewers back to the past as the Ottoman Empire seeks to conquer Cairo, as well as the documentary "Inna de Yard" (2019), a portrait of the pioneers of reggae music in Jamaica Peter Weber's experience speaks for itself and guarantees the high standards our participants have come to expect from FEST FILM LAB. WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION Pete Webber's workshop will focus on a diversity of topics relating to the art of directing for film. You will have the chance to not only receive this knowledge from a very revered professional, but also to interact strongly, as the group will have up to 25 participants, making it extremely practical and interactive. You will also have the opportunity to assess the issues you encountered on your films, and receive the feedback to unblock situations in the future. The workshop will also cover the following: - THE ESSENCE OF THE CRAFT - Film History is your friend; Developing a hinterland; Auteur versus Industry – the realities of the business; DIY - low budget approaches; The writer/director conundrum; The genius myth; Understanding your abilities. - GETTING THERE - Looking at the steps before you go into production; The development process; Raising finance; Producers and writers; Hollywood versus Europe; Agents/managers/lawyers; The One Hour Meeting. - PREPPING - Aesthetic overview – the look and the story; Crewing up; Casting and auditioning; Location hunting; Rehearsing/working with actors before the shoot; Storyboarding; How to work with: Art department; Costume; Camera; Assistant directors; Planning for Digital VFX. - SHOOTING - The politics – picking your battles; The fear; Planning your day; Blocking the scene; Shotlists; Storyboards on set; Shooting strategy; Blocking the scene; The Master shot trap; The second unit. - POST PRODUCTION - Working with an editor; Digital VFX in post; Guide music; Working with a composer; Test screenings; ADR; Sound Design; Grading; The final sound mix; Test screenings. - INTO THE WORLD - Film Festivals; The Press; The Internet and Social Media. PROFILE OF PARTICIPANT The workshop designed for Directors, Film Students, and filmmakers serious about a career in the Film Business on the area of Film and TV Directing. WORKSHOP LOCATION The workshop will take place online, FEST FILM LAB has always been a project of high level knowledge sharing and networking. -The workshop group will have a limited number of 25 participants. - We will maintain the tailor made aspects, with the possibility of troubleshooting projects you have been involved or challenges you are facing. We will introduce new tools to enhance the interactivity between participants. - We have rearranged the session of the workshop that will take place on 4 days instead of the typical 2 days, so that the workshop is less overwhelming, as the typical two full days online would impact the capacities of the participants to retain the learning outcomes. 16 hours Duration: 4 days Dates: 14th to the 17th of December 2026 1PM - 5PM (London) 2PM - 6PM (Brussels) 5PM - 9PM (Dubai) 8AM - 12PM (New York) 5AM - 9AM (Los Angeles) 9PM - 1AM (Beijing) 6:30PM - 10:30PM (New Delhi) 10AM - 2PM (Rio de Janeiro) 12AM - 4AM (Sydney) Location: Online Price: 599EUR (374EUR with 35% Discount until the 6th of October) Maximum number of participants: 25 By registering to the workshop you agree with FFL terms and Conditions Please add our address to your email safe senders list, address book or contact list to avoid FEST e-mails in spam. REGISTER FOR THIS WORKSHOP ON THE LINK BELOW:

ABOUT FRANCESCA JAYNES Francesca Jaynes has been a Choreographer and Movement Director in the film industry for over 25 years. Her work is incredibly diverse, ranging from movement in “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” and “Gravity” to musical films such as “De-Lovely” and “Muppets Most Wanted”. She has worked with top directors on both sides of the Atlantic, including Mike Leigh, Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton, Joss Whedon, Ron Howard, Michael Winterbottom, and Mike Newell, and with a host of stars such as Judi Dench, Dustin Hoffman, Sandra Bullock, Andy Serkis, Christoph Waltz, Tina Fey, Jude Law, Keira Knightley, and Kevin Kline. Francesca has recently contributed to the Disney's adaptation of "Pinocchio," directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks. She also lent her talents to Marvel Studios' "Black Widow," directed by Cate Shortland, working with Scarlett Johansson and Rachel Weisz. Additionally, she worked on Ridley Scott's "Napoleon," featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby, . In "Firebrand," directed by Karim Aïnouz and starring Jude Law and Alicia Vikander, She also recently contributed as a choreographer to the series "House of Dragon". In addition to a wide-ranging CV in film, she works regularly in the theatre in musicals, opera, and plays, and also in television drama. For a complete look at her career to date, please visit www.francescajaynes.com

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION CHOREOGRAPHY AND MOVEMENT IN FILM Work in dance and movement in film can be an ever-changing and diverse experience. This is what makes it exciting! But it’s also what makes it extremely challenging. The top people in the industry have a vast range of skills (ballet, tap, historical dance, contemporary social dance, etc) and must always be ready to adapt and change to best serve their director and the film. Within this two-day exploration of the discipline, we’ll look at the complete process of working in dance/movement on a film production, from initial meetings with producers and directors, to casting, rehearsals, and ultimately filming. There are a host of details and elements that need to be considered at each stage of the process, in addition to the actual creation of the work. With discussions, Q and A’s, and practical ‘on your feet’ workshops, we’ll explore the myriad of fun and challenging scenarios that can present themselves on a variety of job assignments. Topics will include: Different approaches for different films, Genres, and directors; How does the dance/movement fit into the narrative of the film and/or scene; Relationships with other departments (Directors, Assistant Directors, Costume Departments, Sound Departments, Art and Props Departments); Practical sessions in creating and filming the work (historical dance, etc); Actors, dancers, and Muppets - working with differing levels of skills, abilities, and comfort zones. PROFILE OF PARTICIPANT The workshop designed for, choreographers, dancers, Actors, and Directors, who can directly benefit from the knowledge and know how presented on this workshop. The workshop is also suited to different profiles, such as cinematographers, Art Directors, who will directly work with Choreographers and Movement Directors, and can improve their work by knowing how to interact with this department in a more effective way. The workshop is also suitable for filmmakers interested in establishing in Film Business on the area of Choreography and Movement Direction.

LOCATION OF THE WORKSHOP London UK 16 hours Duration: 2 days Dates: 16-17 January 2027 Location: London, UK Price: 599GBP (399GBP until 16th of September) Maximum number of participants: 25 By registering to the workshop you agree with FFL terms and Conditions Please add our address to your email safe senders list, address book or contact list to avoid FEST e-mails in spam. REGISTER FOR THIS WORKSHOP ON THE LINK BELOW:

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION Techniques for directing non-actors: Singular Drama Throughout the two-day practical workshop, participants will learn and experience the technique that Scandar uses during the preparations of his actors and non actors as well as during the shooting. Participants will get hands-on insight into the process of creating drama in a film using the human capacity to respond emotionally to fictional situations. The Singular Drama method is applicable on professional actors as well as non-actors. Filmmakers often use the element of surprise to direct actors for certain scenes to get authentic emotional responses. The directors of AJAMI based their film entirely on this principle. Unlike other forays into improvisation, AJAMI had a very precise screenplay and a well-constructed plot that demanded specific emotional responses from its actors. The actors ended up acting out a story, without being aware that they were being directed according to a pre-written script. The film is a work of fiction which shows “real” people acting in situations that are orchestrated by the directors, but very “real” to the performers, resulting in the actors projecting emotions on camera that they actually experienced at the time. This was achieved over specialized workshops, in which the actors were brought to each character’s emotional and psychological state as written in the script. Workshop learning objectives: 1. Participants will learn techniques to liberate their non-actors from the fear of the camera. 2. Participants will learn how to prepare their actors/non-actors for filming. 3. Participants will learn and experiment with improvisation techniques. 4. Participants will experience the method as actors in order to get a better understanding of the involved processes. 5. Participants will get insights on pre-production, production and shooting techniques when applying the method. 6. Participants will learn how to direct actors and non-actors using the Singular Drama method. Participants are encouraged to bring scenes they would like to direct. ABOUT SCANDAR COPTI Scandar Copti is a Palestinian Oscar-nominated director, screenwriter and visual artist, known for his distinctive approach to working with non-professional actors. His debut feature film, Ajami (2009), won the Camera d'Or Special Mention at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 82nd Academy Awards. The film received more than 15 international awards. His second feature film, Happy Holidays (2024), had its world premiere in the Orizzonti Competition at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where Copti won the Orizzonti Award for Best Screenplay. It went on to receive major international recognition, winning the Golden Alexander – Theo Angelopoulos Award for Best Film at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival and the Étoile d'Or for Best Film at the Marrakech International Film Festival, where Manar Shehab and Wafaa Aoun also jointly received the Best Actress Award. In 2025, Happy Holidays received the Aurora Award for Best Film at the Tromsø International Film Festival and a Special Mention for the Bridging the Borders Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Beyond his feature films, Copti has written, directed and edited fiction, documentary and experimental works. His video art projects have been exhibited internationally at venues including the Herzliya Museum, the Nachum Gutman Museum, NYU Abu Dhabi Gallery, b_tour Foothold Festival, Beit Ha'Gefen and Oslo Kunstforening, among others. Copti has served on the juries of numerous international film festivals and film organisations, including the Tribeca Film Festival, Thessaloniki International Film Festival, FEST and the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC). In 2011, he served as President of the Human Rights Award jury at the Istanbul International Film Festival. He was also part of the team that launched the Doha Film Institute (DFI), where he headed the Education Department until 2011, contributing to the development of filmmaking education and emerging talent in the region. Alongside his filmmaking practice, Copti has developed a distinctive methodology for working with non-professional actors, an approach central to both Ajami and Happy Holidays. His work explores the relationship between performance, character, social structures and lived experience, and this methodology has become an important part of his teaching and filmmaking practice. PROFILE OF PARTICIPANT The workshop is designed to Directors, 1st AD, Producers, and filmmakers interested in developing the skill of directing non actors. LOCATION OF THE WORKSHOP London UK 16 hours Dates: 16th-17th of January 2027 Location: London UK Price: 599.99 GBP (399GBP Until the 8th of October) Vacancies: 25 By registering to the workshop you agree with FFL terms and Conditions Please add our address to your email safe senders list, address book or contact list to avoid FEST e-mails in spam. REGISTER FOR THIS WORKSHOP ON THE LINK BELOW:

ABOUT PETE TRAVIS

Established director and BAFTA winner Pete Travis actually had a late start in his filmmaking career: before becoming a director, Pete Travis was a social worker. However, inspired by Alan Clarke and Costa-Gavras, he decided to take a post-graduate course in filmmaking. Soon after graduation he acquired the rights to “Faith” (a short story written by Nick Hornby) and presented his first short film at the London Film Festival (1997). Later, he directed episodes of “Cold Feet” (1999) and the TV series “Other People's Children” (2000), as well as “The Jury” (2002) mini-series and the TV movie “Henry VIII” (2003), featuring Helena Bonham Carter and Mark Strong. Impressed with his work, Paul Greengrass, director of “Captain Phillips”, sent Travis a script that he co-wrote with Guy Hibbert – “Omagh”. The film premiered in 2004 at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it won the Discovery Award. The film also won the 2005 BAFTA Award for “Best Single Drama”. “Vantage Point” was his first major motion picture, starring Dennis Quaid and Matthew Fox. It was released in the USA in 2008. Just one year later, in January 2009, Pete Travis took to Sundance to premiere “Endgame”, which dramatizes the last days of Apartheid in South Africa and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, William Hurt, Jonny Lee Miller and Mark Strong. Later, Travis directed a film adaptation of the popular UK comic book series “Dredd” (2012). In Travis' feature film, Karl Urban takes on the role of Judge Dredd, with Olivia Thirlby playing his young accomplice. The film quickly gathered a cult following. Pete Travis' recent work includes “City of Tiny Lights” (2016), starring Riz Ahmed and Billie Piper – a crime thriller written by Patrick Neate and based on his own novel of the same name – and “Project Blue Book”, with Aidan Gillen and Michael Malarkey. WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

The Directing Actors for Film workshop will focus on a diversity of topics of the art of directing actors, you will have the chance of not only receive this knowledge from Pete Travis, but also interact in a very strong way, as the group will have up to 25 participants, making it extremely practical and interactive. You will also have the opportunity to assess the issues you encountered on your films, and receiving the feedback to unblock situations in the future. The workshop will also cover the following structure: PRE-PRODUCTION Introduction to “acting” / How to actors work? The Actor/Director relationship Letting the actors to build their own characters The Actor’s tools and methodologies The director in a casting What is a character? The importance of the story through the eyes of the character Planning Rehearsal - What to Rehearse and Why. Rehearsal Tools Directing The Character ON SET How to communicate with actors Staging the Scene and Blocking the Action How the camera affects performance. Business and endowment Keeping performances dynamic and the actors engaged. Keeping the set as a creative environment. What to ask for in a new take. Maintaining Continuity - Emotional and Physical LOCATION OF THE WORKSHOP London UK - Greenwich PROFILE OF PARTICIPANT The workshop designed for Directors, Assistant Directors, or filmmakers serious about a career in the Film and TV on the area of Directing Actors Duration: 2 days 10:00 - 18:00 Dates: 27th - 28th of February 2027 Location: London, UK Price: 599GBP (399GBP Until 1st of October) Maximum number of participants: 25 By registering to the workshop you agree with FFL terms and Conditions Please add our address to your email safe senders list, address book or contact list to avoid FEST e-mails in spam. REGISTER FOR THIS WORKSHOP ON THE LINK BELOW: