The Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative (AFCOOP) is pleased to present Tarek Abouamin as AFCOOP’s first Filmmaker in Residence.

Tarek Abouamin is an Egyptian-Nova Scotian filmmaker and professor of film production at NSCAD University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His intensely emotional cinematography has been showcased in award winning films. Abouamin’s various interests have lead to creative explorations in multiple medias: radio, architecture, theatre, and photography. A retrospective presentation of Abouamin’s photography premiered in Egypt at the Cairo Opera House in December 2009.

His current project, the AFCOOP Filmmaker in Residence (FIR) project GAWAB, is a filmic representation of a letter in the form of a short documentary about family, loss, and identity. "I've been collecting bits of the story for over 20 years", says Mr. Abouamin.   "Essentially, I'm opening my diary and sharing it with, well really with everyone." In this respect, Mr. Abouamin will utilize a variety of mediums to accomplish the historicity and feeling of GAWAB including stills, video and old 16mm film. " I'm mixing the present and the past in a singular moment and using my photographs that I've collected over the years and using some new material."

Mr. Abouamin gave the first in a series of free public works in progress talks on THURSDAY, JANUARY 28th, at 7 PM in the CBC Radio Room. In this open talk, entitled “Gawabawat: an archive of family”, Mr. Abouamin shared his creative approach, thoughts and experiences during the envisioning and recent shooting of his documentary short film Gawab. He also screened a selection of raw footage from the film. It was a truly valuable experience for filmmaker and audience alike.

Mr. Abouamin will follow this talk with two more public presentations in March as he edits and works on Gawab. On THURSDAY, MARCH 4th, at 7PM he delivered a free lecture on his cinematic approach called THE ONE ART, the discipline of cinema as a single coherent form. Taking in such influences as the pioneers of Soviet Cinema and various film auteurs, the seminar explored various techniques and how they inform low-budget filmmaking.

He will follow this with his final works in progress talk on Thursday, March 25th, 7 PM called MONTAGE: A  DISCOVERY  OF  NARRATIVE   AND STORY.  In this talk, Mr. Abouamin will show some of his rough edit for the film GAWAB and discuss how the editing process is shaping the story.

He will also hold Open Studio sessions at the Atlantic Filmmakerrs Cooperative for those interested during the month of March.  As a whole, this residency will provide an excellent opportunity for filmmakers and those interested in film to gain valuable insight into the creation of a documentary as it is being made.

The aim of the AFCOOP Filmmaker In Residence Program is to provide a filmmaker with the resources and guidance to create a completed work with the support and participation of the community and to involve the community in their filmmaking process.

 OBJECTIVES
-To expand production and development opportunities for experienced filmmakers.
-To promote excellence in filmmaking.
-To increase the use of AFCOOP resources by experienced filmmakers.
-To expose AFCOOP and Nova Scotian filmmakers to the filmmaking process, skills and aesthetics of a resident filmmaker.
-To foster the relationship between a resident filmmakers and the Nova Scotian filmmaking community.

AFCOOP WILL PROVIDE
A total of $15,000 in services and expenses for the proposed project, including:
-    Up to $4,000 in direct ‘cash’ costs of the project. This may include film stock, lab fees, rentals, per diems and labour, etc.
-    Up to $11,000 in AFCOOP equipment and facility rentals
-    Staff and organizational support and a supportive community in which to work

FILMMAKER IN RESIDENCE SCHEDULE- All Free of Charge

Thursday,  January 21st, 7PM, CBC Radio Room    

GAWABAWAT: An Archive of Family- Artist talk and work in progress screening #1, focussing on the concieving, pre-production and shooting of GAWAB

Thursday,  March 4th, 7 PM,  CBC Radio Room       

THE ONE ART- A workshop on the discipline of cinema as a single cohernt form,  taking in such influences as the pioneers of Soviet Cinema and various film autuers.

Thursday, March 25th, 7 PM, CBC Radio Room

MONTAGE: A DISCOVERY OF NARRATIVE AND STORY- Artist talk and work in progress screening #2, focussing on the editing, sound work and story construction of GAWAB.

OPEN STUDIO WITH TAREK ABOUAMIN

March 8-31, location: The Atlantic FIlmmakers Cooperative, CBC Radio Building, 5600 Sackville st. Halifax, NS

No need to register as these Studio sessions are drop in and completely open to the public.

Mondays: 4PM to 6 PM

Wednesdays: 4PM to 6PM

To read the interview with Mr. Abouamin for WORKPRINT, click here.

To read a transcript from the radio Interview with Mr.Abouamin for KINO PRAVDA on CKDU 88.1 FM, click here.

To download an MP3 podcast of the radio Interview with Mr.Abouamin for KINO PRAVDA on CKDU 88.1 FM, click here.

Stay up to date on Mr. Abouamin's residency and track the making of Gawab on Facebook