NCIG’s TV Writers Lab 6x6 is an intensive program designed to incubate six GGC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries based writers/creators and turn their ideas into market-ready decks in six weeks. At the end of the program, the participants will have the opportunity to pitch their projects to the Netflix executive team. Netflix will have the first right of refusal to commission further development and production of the content generated at Lab 6/6.

If the project is not picked up for further development or production by Netflix, the development rights revert to the writer/creator. He/she completely owns the project and is free to shop it elsewhere.

NCIG, an acronym that translates to “weaving” in Arabic, is a Kuwait-based organization that incubates, produces, and facilitates quality multi-format multi-platform content for the MENA region and beyond.

Based out of a vibrant studio campus and multi-media facility, the NCIG family works alongside a collaborative ecosystem of talent and media platforms to craft the stories that unite us, incubate the storytellers that inspire us, and cultivate the growth of a content-driven regional industry that builds our economy and drives our shared humanity forward.

A deck, or pitch deck, is an industry recognized format used to present your project in a visually exciting and emotionally powerful way. It is a comprehensive document that includes a logline (or “elevator pitch”), a “bible,” which provides an outline of where your series will go in the season, an episodic breakdown, character profile, and any visual directives. Some pitch documents also include a pilot script. All in all, decks may vary in their contents, but all should give network executives or production companies reviewing the pitch an idea of the show’s core concept, as well as a sense of your writing style.

• It is digestible and less time-consuming than reading a script
• It captures the reader’s imagination, allowing them to see and feel the story and embrace the characters
• It gives your reader a comprehensive understanding of the fantastic potential of your project

The Lab will be held at the NCIG Studio Campus in Kuwait. The writers’ rooms and more personal independent development (ID) spaces will be provided to creators throughout the duration of the program.

If you choose to pursue a career in the TV screenwriting field, Lab 6x6 will provide you with an opportunity to gain experience, build connections, and help enhance your craft on your journey to becoming a world-class episodic TV writer.

• Creates an opportunity to gain experience from best-in-class screenwriters, script consultants, and show-runners
• Provides equitable opportunities for aspiring creators to delve into the industry
• Supports creators to turn their ideas into market-ready pitch decks
• Allows creators to pitch their series to Netflix

Writers/Creators from GGC (Gulf Cooperation Council) ages 18+, with an Arabic-language episodic TV project in the early stages of conceptualization or development.

Go to the designated Lab 6x6 page on the NCIG platform and submit the online application.

• The applicant must be 18+ and based in GGC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries
• Regardless of his/her nationality, the writer/creator must have an Arabic-language episodic TV Project in the early stages of conceptualization or development. The Project must be original and authentic.
• The applicant must own the IP Rights to the project being submitted and/or submits the project without infringement on the IP Rights or other rights of third parties.
• Projects will be accepted in Arabic only.
• Applicants must have a level of English sufficient to participate in and be successful in the learning process.
• The applicant has not committed the submitted Project to a producer or a director. He/she must have complete autonomy over the Project.
• Although preferred, past writing experience is not required.
• The applicant must submit the online application, which includes the following:
• Contact Information
• Resume and a short bio
• Past writing or work-related experiences
• If available, any previous production or creative work (TV shows, films or showreel, photography, writing samples, online portfolio, website, etc.)
• Full name, project title, email, and contact number to be included in all documents
• Personal Statement
• Describe why you want to participate and how your background will add a unique perspective to the program (no more than 2,000 words, including spaces)
• A short synopsis of the project in conceptualization or development (maximum one page)
• Include Genre, main characters, tone, references, and story world description
• Treatment, short script or scenes from project (if available)
• Personal Declaration
• Submission Letter

No. Regardless of his/her nationality, the applicant must be based in GGC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries to apply to Lab 6x6. i.e The applicant has competency in writing local “GCC-focused” stories, i.e participants can be either nationals, residents, born and/or raised in GCC countries.

Please refer to the online application for all creative elements required to apply.

Past writing experience is required. A participant must bring adequate TV/Film screenwriting experience, i.e. previously credited as a writer/co-writer in one or two GCC-led projects.

NCIG will cover travel and the Lab 6x6 approved hotel accommodation costs for the duration of the program.

18

While testing is not required, a conversational level of English is required for entry into the program.

NCIG, Lab 6x6 Mentors and Netflix will work together to select the six writers/creators. Selection metrics include:

• Applicant’s experience level
• Caliber of writing
• Degree of story originality
• Degree of story authenticity
• Degree of diversification in the story
• Degree of the possible impact of the story

Lab 6x6 will be held at no cost for participants.

October 26, 2023

February . 1, 2024

December 20, 2023

April 20, 2024

March 19, 2024

Creators will attend the Lab 5 working days a week over the course of 6 weeks.

• 10am-7 pm Saturday (Week 1), 10am-12pm (Weeks 2-6)
• 4pm-9pm Sundays -Thursdays (Weeks 1-6)

Lab 6x6’s curriculum is specially designed to provide participants with the skillsets required to be successful writers in today’s entertainment industry, and equip them with the tools needed to create and polish a fully formed episodic TV pitch deck. The lab is broken down into weekly craft-driven interventions that include screenwriting workshopsa virtual master classes, presented by industry professionals, and mentorship sessions, all taking place in an enriching collaborative setting.

6 weeks

Netflix is an American pay television over-the-top media service and original programming production company. It offers subscription-based video on demand from a library of films and television series, 40% of which is Netflix original programming produced in-house. Netflix has also played a prominent role in independent film distribution. It is one of the world's leading entertainment services with 214 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

Yes, and Netflix will have the first right of refusal to commission further development and production of the content generated at Lab 6x6. If your project is not picked up for development or production by Netflix, the development rights revert to you.

Right of first refusal (ROFR) is a contractual right to enter into a business transaction with a person or company before anyone else can. If the party with these right declines to enter into a transaction, the obligor is free to entertain other offers.

A separate agreement will be entered into between you and Netflix to define the terms and conditions of that engagement.

You will be informed of that decision a maximum of 120 days after participating in and pitching your project to Netflix at the closing of Lab 6x6.