Shasha’s Co-founder and Chairman, as well as Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Al-Qabas, Abdullah Ghazi Al-Mudhaf, has launched an initiative to support young talent in drama production. This initiative aims to nurture creative minds, scriptwriters, and individuals with production skills, emphasizing that “Shasha’s doors are open to refine and develop these talents.”

Empowering Young Talent in Drama Production

During a panel discussion at the International Film Festival at the American International University, Al-Mudhaf highlighted Shasha’s growth and upcoming expansion in content production, emphasizing that the platform’s success relies on young creative talents.

He also discussed the evolution of media production in Kuwait, covering logistical, financial, and creative aspects essential for successful filmmaking and drama series production. Encouraging students with creative ideas and content aspirations to join Shasha, he assured them that all obstacles in their journey would be addressed.

The Evolution of Drama in Kuwait

Reflecting on Kuwait’s drama industry, Al-Mudhaf noted that 2010 was a pivotal year, citing two Kuwaiti series, “Zuwar Khamees” and “Saher Al-Layl”, which he believes still influence local drama today. However, he emphasized that since 2010, no significant evolution has occurred in Kuwaiti drama production.

The Importance of Writers’ Workshops

Al-Mudhaf elaborated on the concept of writers’ workshops, highlighting that in Egypt, for example, television scripts are no longer written by a single writer but rather by teams working under a lead writer.

“The future of scriptwriting lies in workshops where a head writer supervises a team of writers,” he explained. “Some productions even involve consultants, such as psychologists, to ensure narrative depth.” He pointed out that while global scriptwriting has evolved, Kuwait still relies on a single-writer model.

Shasha’s Vision for Drama Production

As part of its commitment to advancing drama production, Shasha has partnered with renowned Egyptian screenwriter Mariam Naoum. Al-Mudhaf believes that Naoum and her team will help Shasha move beyond the single-writer model, paving the way for a distinguished writing and directing industry within 2-3 years.

He emphasized that breaking into content creation does not require being a writer, but rather having market insight and creativity. Addressing aspiring creators, he stated:

“Yes, you are capable! We are looking for you at Shasha.”

Upcoming Professional Training for Young Writers

To support emerging talent, Shasha will launch a professional writing training program in early 2025, in collaboration with Mariam Naoum.

He concluded by urging young creatives to share their innovative ideas, assuring them that Shasha welcomes and nurtures fresh concepts, developing them step by step alongside aspiring creators.

The Economic & Cultural Impact of Drama Production

Al-Mudhaf underscored the significant role of drama production beyond entertainment, citing Turkey’s booming tourism industry, which has been heavily influenced by Turkish drama series.

Similarly, he highlighted the impact of Korean dramas, particularly after the success of “Squid Game”, which led Netflix to invest $2.5 billion in Korean content between 2023 and 2027. In 2020 alone, Korean dramas contributed $12.3 billion to the economy.

Shasha’s Key Objectives & Aspirations

1️⃣ Creating high-quality, distinctive drama content

2️⃣ Nurturing and supporting young creative talents

3️⃣ Developing a strong industry in writing & directing

4️⃣ Attracting individuals with production skills

5️⃣ Transitioning from a single-writer model to collaborative writing workshops

A Growing Film Festival at AIU

Speaking on behalf of the American International University (AIU), Areej Al-Ghanem, a Board of Trustees member, expressed pride in the university’s evolving film festival.

She emphasized AIU’s commitment to hosting influential industry figures, such as Abdullah Ghazi Al-Mudhaf, to share valuable experiences with students.

While AIU does not currently offer a film and media program, Al-Ghanem revealed that the university plans to introduce specialized courses in directing, scriptwriting, drama production, and cinematography, ensuring that talented students receive opportunities to hone their creative skills in an environment that fosters innovation.