Al Jazeera is to sponsor a major new initiative in the funding of independent television and film production. The Al Jazeera Sponsorship Fund for Independent Television Productions – Riaya – is a five million Qatari Riyal fund (approximately US$1.4million) provided by Al Jazeera to sponsor and support independent television productions, focusing particularly on encouraging talented young producers.
The Al Jazeera Sponsorship Fund for Independent Television Productions will provide financial support and technical services to independent producers – particularly beginners in the field – hold regular training sessions, workshops and lectures to raise the quality of production, provide scholarships and other financial aid for selected ventures, collaborate on independent productions, and engage in a variety of activities in support of independent filmmaking.