CONTEST TOPIC:

Arab Stories: Debunking Arab Myths

In keeping with our mission of bringing forth opportunities to write about socially important topics, Open Screenplay is pleased to announce the launch of a 5 min short film screenwriting contest and production deal in partnership with the Canadian Arab Institute titled “Arab Stories: Debunking Arab Myths”.

For decades, the mainstream media in the West has systematically stereotyped and vilified people of Arab origin. In over 900 Hollywood films, Arabs have been depicted as brute murderers, religious fanatics, oil-rich dimwits or abusers of women, not to mention quintessential villains. Such degradation of an entire people ultimately leads to their dehumanization. Today, Arabs in the West are constantly required to face racist stereotypes, profiling at airports, suspicious glares on the subway, and struggle to express a historic language, identity, and culture of immense depth and diversity.

It is time to correct this narrative and dispel the various myths and stereotypes that have long unjustly followed this rich and diverse community. We want you to write a screenplay that speaks to this topic and advances the discourse in a creative and meaningful way.