The Intuitive Film Lab is as its name suggests. Through it, I was able to further explore a visual language I had been shyly trying out, and then push it to new heights. It also offered me the space to express personal themes, and see how my work meshes with the rest to create one diverse and consistent series. That diversity is then reflected in the group of participants, which grew close very quickly, under the watchful eye of the Intuitive Film Lab conductor & team who made sure to push our voice further, lead us to give others feedback from the guts and heart not the mind, and then do the same to us with honest and poetic reactions to our works.
I am beyond grateful to have participated in this lab, and wish it to everyone who is eager to explore the creative potential of throwing oneself into a beautifully and strictly curated process which has one goal: to help each artist get where they need to go in both content and form.

The group was very dynamic, and it made this little journey more pleasant and fruitful, and heavier at the same time. We were witnessing each other’s fears translated into each one’s own language, and communicating about it at every session helped us to get to know each others at a deep level in a very little time, through art.
The process was smooth in a way that time went real quick, in one month, I had a film. Every phase throughout the making of this film had its own space and importance. Working on the image separately from the sound added a new layer to my filmmaking experience, and with the help of our mentors and colleagues, it was easier to stay focused on the feeling I was trying to communicate.
Muriel being by our side was tremendously helpful and empowering, when she’s delicately giving insights on the core of the film and how its feeling without going into the deep thinking.

This experience pushed me to dig in the darkest part of my psyche and to explore my deepest fears, something I usually try to avoid. At first, I didn’t understand how pure intuition would lead me to create a film, but surprisingly, everything just flowed naturally. I found myself shooting randomly and everything magically came together. I took something dark and unsettling from within me and poured it into this film, which ended up freaking me out a bit. But there was a certain undeniable beauty in the process. Being so deeply connected to an emotion had a kind of magical quality that’s hard to describe. There were moments when the emotion consumed me so much that it felt like I was on a wild trip, However, the true challenge lay in knowing when to disconnect, when to regain control. Balancing the immersion in fear’s embrace with the need to step back became a test of my resilience. Through this process, I learned the art of navigating the threshold, finding strength in knowing when to disengage and reclaim my equilibrium. Our gatherings at Muriel’s rooftop every weekend became a cherished treasure in my life. The eight fellow filmmakers, chosen by Muriel, somehow felt like soul friends to me. Despite knowing only, a little of their personal lives, I formed profound connections with these beautiful artists and for me connecting with eight people without knowing much about them was beyond gold. somehow, understanding each other went beyond words. Our shared passion brought us closer, and I truly believe that all nine films interplay with each other in a remarkable way.
Not to forget about the incredible team that made it all happen, Denise Jabbour the hero behind the curtains, Adeeb who was always there to support, and Shadi, whom it was fun catching him in the act, attempting those sneaky closeups without anyone noticing. Working with Victor and Elias was simply amazing, their contributions truly elevated our work. Adham’s feedback was like a symphony of words, surpassing any poetry, his warm presence created an environment where vulnerability could thrive. And how could I ever overlook Shukriye’s precious food. Last but certainly not least, Muriel, the most amazing force behind it all. She showered us with pure love and pushed us to create, reminding us of why we live for this art. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of something truly special.

The intuitive film lab was an immersive journey into a new realm in arts. I always had the fear of vulnerability, especially in groups, but this time it was so different. It was safe to just be, to unveil my emotions without any judgements. I was given a chance to simply reflect on myself without any restrictions. That’s one thing I was always so hesitant about. The amount of love, support and kindness i received is inexplicable. We witnessed our journeys unfold so beautifully, despite all the heaviness of our “fears”. This journey of two months, opened my eyes on the importance of embracing each other with everything we have to say. It was never about what we “think”, it was always about how we “felt”. Which brought me to the belief that this journey is a one life changing experience for artists.

I feel so lucky being part of “home of CineJam” intuitive training programs for the second time.
I started intuitively tapping into my inner creativity 10 years ago, by attending “Cine-Jam”. This year, the “Intuitive Film Lab” made me dive deeper into my purest human feelings, turning them into a genuine audiovisual manifestation. The Intuitive Film Lab was a reminder for me, to stay true to myself as an artist. When driven by intuition, there is no restrictions, no right and wrong, no good and bad, no weak and strong. Just a genuine reflection of our inner selves, a light transforming into a light. Sharing our feelings towards each participant’s film, throughout the whole process, was a great challenge to learn how to feel instead of thinking, and how to dive into ourselves through the images and sounds we receive, instead of judging them based on what we know. And most importantly, I have met beautiful artists with whom I felt a great eternal connection.
One of the reasons that made this filmlab affect my vision of filmmaking and art in general, is Muriel Aboulrouss, a beautiful artist, an enthusiastic light keeper, and a great teacher. As a conductor, Muriel was able to provide a supportive, genuine and inspiring environment, helping us to explore our artistic vision and unleash our creativity with no fear and hesitation. I have learned a lot from Muriel and dared a lot, and I’m really thankful for having her by my side in this journey.

The intuitive filmmaking workshop provided a transformative experience that stands out from any other creative experience I’ve been through. It awakened a childlike presence within me, reconnecting me with my instinctual ability to be fully present in the moment. Witnessing the alignment of my energy with the fear I explored and observing the responsive unfolding of my external reality was truly magical. However, transforming your internal and external reality into a collaborator and learning to trust the process requires a tremendous amount of courage, but the rewards are undoubtedly worth it. The film I created felt like a collaborative creation, infused with the collective energy of the group. We all contributed to each other’s work, and the vulnerability displayed by the participants inspired my own creative journey. Muriel played a vital role in ensuring that my work reached its most crystallized form without compromising its essence. Her unwavering support and involvement in every step of the way made me feel supported and never alone. I am deeply inspired to carry the purity of this method into my future projects, as it has empowered me to deconstruct the notion of control and the need to intellectualize the creative process. This lab has brought me closer to discovering my own unadorned language of expression, and it’s quite a liberating outcome. This experience is valuable for anyone whose willing to face themselves without judgement and explore transformative experiences.

The intuitive film lab is a unique experience which does not focus on the technicality of filmmaking but on the importance of creating based on an internal motive based on truth and guts. The experience was eye opening for me as a self taught artist since the whole process was not based on how much we knew but on how much we felt and expressed. The team was a huge part of the adventure, as artists we rose together and lived an emotional experience which cannot be taught through classical education. The film lab conductor was objectively truthful and the honesty led each of us to be truthful in turn. I do advise this experience to other filmmakers for them to rediscover the truthful call which led them to shoot, edit, and share films.

The creative process was very intense, I learned to listen to myself first, to create in a group, to share and let our ideas spread in the group, and the most important thing is to transform our emotions into sounds and images. The most important thing is that we had to be very secure and the protection of Muriel really helped us to be true and also delivering the assistance of the whole team helped the procedure to go smoothly. I recommend this program for any artist to live a unique experience and experience the true power of image and sound.

The creative process was mesmerizing in terms of its deep personal nature. The program allowed me and evey other participant to delve into their fears and uncover buried memories, using them as the building blocks for our stories. This collective process provided insights into oneself as an artist and highlighted the importance of authenticity and honesty.
The group was a crucial element of the program. Within the safe community, it was not just about the artistic goal itself, but also a perceptive exploration of how each artist artistically portrays their own unique fears. This sense of belonging and artistic freedom can only be found within the comfort of this community.
From the very beginning, the conductor of the film lab, Muriel, established herself as a person worthy of trust. Her methods and guidance in implementing the process to achieve a greater vision were mesmerizing. Muriel remarkably navigated the delicate process, providing well-placed criticism that helped us dig our own paths throughout the program. Trusting and surrendering to her expertise allowed us to witness the magic of this distinctive process.
This experience has significantly changed my perception of writing. I was always hooked with aesthetic and beauty, often overlooking the uniqueness that comes from one’s own self. I have realized the significance of embracing my own voice and experiences as a child, allowing this to shape my narratives in a profound and personal way. Overall, it has been a transformative shift in my artistic approach. I’m eager to see what comes next.
I highly recommend this program, but it’s not meant for everyone. There are certain types of filmmakers that can truly appreciate this, some others might not. Aside from that, filmmakers such as writers, directors, and cinematographers can gain a new artistic insight and perspective that can greatly benefit them in their creative endeavors.