Amplifying voices from Qatar’s growing national film industry, the Doha Film Institute’s (DFI) 9th Ajyal Film Festival will showcase 10 inspiring films by Qatari directors and Qatar-based filmmakers as part of the popular Made in Qatar programme presented by Ooredoo.
The 10 shorts will vie for the Made in Qatar Awards, chosen by a jury which includes American actress Sheila Vand, executive board member and CEO of Katara Studios Ahmed al-Baker, and Farah Nabulsi, Palestinian-British Oscar-nominated and BAFTA award-winning filmmaker of The Present, supported by DFI.
Majid al-Remaihi and Shaima al-Tamimi made history as the directors of the first Qatari And Then They Burn The Sea and Yemeni Don’t Get Too Comfortable films selected for competition at international film events of Locarno and Venice respectively.
Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, festival director and chief executive officer DFI, said: “I am extremely proud of the determination, passion, and professionalism of this year’s MIQ class persevering to realise their projects despite the limitations of a global pandemic and the restrictions that came with it.”
Made in Qatar programme includes: Border; Fever Dream Kan Fe Nas; Don’t Get Too Comfortable; A Lens Under Water; Virtual Voice; Atlal (Remnants); And Then They Burn the Sea, When Beirut was Beirut and Olayan.
The Made in Qatar programme will premiere on November 9 at 7.30pm at Katara Drama Theatre, Building 16 followed by a screening at 8.30pm at Katara Opera House, Building 16, and will screen on November 11 at 8.30pm at VOX Cinemas, Doha Festival City.
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