Develop Skills. Tell Stories. Drive Change.
Program Overview
Training and Development is at the heart of LFI’s mission to nurture Libya’s next generation of storytellers. Through practical workshops, mentorship, and collaborative projects, we help participants gain the creative and technical skills needed to produce films and narratives that inspire dialogue and strengthen communities. Since our inception, we have engaged over 40 aspiring Libyan filmmakers and storytellers through a variety of impactful initiatives.
Our program empowers individuals to harness the power of storytelling for social change and cultural preservation. This commitment is vividly illustrated through projects like Khatwa (Step), a flagship initiative launched in August 2021. Khatwa provided comprehensive training, mentorship, and production support, empowering aspiring filmmakers to tell their unique stories and address critical issues facing Libyan society. Twelve young individuals, selected from all three Libyan regions with a balanced representation of 50% female and 50% male participants, were chosen for an intensive workshop led by renowned Yemeni filmmaker and trainer, Maryam Al-Dabhani. LFI provided dedicated workspaces in each region, fostering a collaborative environment for the teams to meet and train.
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This intensive training equipped participants with essential skills in storytelling, film production, and documentary filmmaking, culminating in the production of three compelling short documentaries: “Steps,” “Ironworker of Tawergha,” and “A Day for People.” These powerful films tackled themes of unity, national reconciliation, and community resilience, reflecting the filmmakers’ unique perspectives and commitment to social impact. Each filmmaking team received personalized mentorship from experienced professionals, ensuring they gained both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. The films were successfully screened on local television channels and featured at a final event, sparking insightful discussions about the role of film in raising awareness and promoting social change. The event concluded with a recommendation paper delivered to key national bodies, encouraging the continued use of filmmaking for future projects in Libya. In addition to documentary filmmaking, Khatwa also included specialized screenwriting training, led by Nihad Rahmani, engaging six young participants and further diversifying the project’s reach.
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Beyond film production, LFI actively organizes and implements Storytelling Trainings that build the capacity of journalists and writers. These programs focus on mastering storytelling techniques, enhancing writing skills, and understanding how narratives can effectively drive awareness. This initiative is crucial for empowering human rights defenders to use storytelling for their advocacy and for enabling a broader range of storytellers to share Libya’s vibrant culture with the world. As part of these efforts, LFI conducted a five-day Short Story Writing Training Course. Delivered by an expert, this course provided twelve participants with valuable skills in storytelling elements, character interviewing, dialogue writing, and story structure. Participants also drafted original stories, with two successfully published on social media, demonstrating the immediate impact of the training.
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Through these integrated programs, LFI continues to champion the development of creative skills, empower diverse voices, and foster meaningful dialogue, driving positive change within Libyan communities and beyond.