Riyadh, Rana Azeem – The headquarters of MBC Group in Riyadh hosted the graduation ceremony for the inaugural edition of the “Scriptwriters Development Lab,” an intensive professional training program organized by MBC Academy. Over the course of eight months, participating writers underwent comprehensive training under the supervision of executive producer Mr. Rachid H’mam, working on developing their original projects from concept to complete screenplay.
During the ceremony, graduates were honored and awarded certificates of completion. The event also marked the announcement of the top-performing participants who were selected for an exclusive advanced training program designed to prepare them to become future showrunners.
The graduation ceremony was attended by Zeinab Abu Alsamh, General Manager of MBC Academy and MBC Studios KSA, Abdullah Bakarman, Director of MBC Academy, several MBC Group executives, members of the media, social media influencers, and special guests.
As part of the event, MBC Academy officially announced the launch of the second edition of the Scriptwriters Development Lab, which will be held in Jeddah under the continued supervision of Mr. Rachid H’mam. Registration for the upcoming cycle opens on June 15, 2025, with classes commencing on September 1, 2025. The program is scheduled to conclude in mid-April 2026.
Graduates and Program Details.A total of nine writers successfully completed the program and presented their developed projects:
Badr Al-Assaf, Haider Al-Omrani, Riham Al-Ghamdi, Sarah Al-Salloum, Saleha Salami, Abdulsalam Al-Hathloul, Faris Al-Mutairi, Mohammed Ghazi, and Meshari Al-Dosari.The Lab was structured around three core stages:Theoretical Foundations – covering the academic principles of screenwritingPractical Analysis – involving the breakdown and analysis of iconic works.Creative Application – where each participant developed and wrote their own script
At the end of the program, four participants were selected based on the quality of their work, creativity, structure, storytelling approach, and personal attributes such as charisma and communication skills. These individuals will undergo further mentorship to prepare them for future roles as showrunners.
The Scriptwriters Development Lab is a professional training initiative aimed at nurturing screenwriting talent through hands-on experience and specialized guidance. Led by Mr. Rachid H’mam, the program covers areas such as scriptwriting, bible development, pitching techniques, and understanding industry market needs.
In addition to academic and practical training, the program serves as a platform for participants to build strong industry connections and exchange creative ideas, contributing to the development of a new generation of skilled writers in the region.
