4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
NCCAL hosts workshop on receiving cinematic image
KUWAIT: As part of its ongoing Summer Culture 17 festival, the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) organized a workshop on Wednesday at the National Library of Kuwait titled Receiving the Cinematic Image. The session was presented by renowned Egyptian screenwriter Wael Hamdy and attended by a group of cinema enthusiasts and professionals working in the visual content industry. The workshop centered around an in-depth analysis of a short film written by Hamdy and directed by Karim Shaaban. Participants explored the various stages of filmmaking — from concept development and dramatic treatment, to scriptwriting, set design, casting, cinematography, editing and sound design.
Hamdy emphasized the importance of understanding every technical aspect that appears on screen, including lighting, color schemes, and camera angles, all of which, he noted, play a pivotal role in shaping the audience's perception. He explained that while cultures and environments may differ, the final artistic product delivered to the viewer retains a universal visual language.
The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) organizes a workshop on Wednesday at the National Library of Kuwait as part of its ongoing Summer Culture 17 festival. – KUNA photos
He also praised NCCAL and the National Library for organizing workshops that empower and educate young creatives, pointing out that hosting regional experts reflects the Council's commitment to delivering quality programming and nurturing local talent in the film industry. Participant Saleh Taqi, an amateur photographer, expressed his enthusiasm for the session, noting that the workshop enhanced his understanding of cinematic vision — a valuable tool for his photography. 'The presenter explained the types of lenses and shooting angles used to support the film's narrative, which introduced me to new techniques I can apply in my own work,' he said.
Fellow participant Manahel Al-Tamimi, a cinema and drama enthusiast, shared that she joined the workshop out of admiration for Hamdy's work and her curiosity about the screenwriting process. 'I've followed Wael Hamdy's projects closely, and this was a great opportunity to gain insight into his storytelling methods and compare them with other writing styles,' she noted, adding that such workshops enrich the artistic community and provide aspiring creatives with valuable knowledge. The Summer Culture 17 festival, which launched last Wednesday, runs for seven weeks and features a diverse lineup of cultural and artistic events aimed at engaging the public and fostering creativity across multiple disciplines. — KUNA
