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Doha Film Institute

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Doha Film Institute
مؤسسة الدوحة للأفلام
Formation2010
FounderAl-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani
TypeNonprofit
PurposeCelebration and support of the film industry, especially in Qatar
Location
ServicesFilm mentorship, funding, film festivals
CEO
  • Amanda Palmer (2010-2012)
  • Abdulaziz Al-Khater (2012-2014)
  • Fatma Al Remaihi (2014-present)
FundingGovernment funding
Websitewww.dohafilminstitute.com

Doha Film Institute (DFI) is a nonprofit cultural organisation established in 2010 by Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani to support the growth of the Qatari film community and to provide funding and international networking opportunities to creators.[1][2] DFI hosts two major film festivals, Ajyal Film Festival and Qumra, each year.[3] Since its inception, DFI has financially supported more than 600 projects from development through post-production.[4]

History

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Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani founded DFI in 2010 to support the Arab film industry, especially in Qatar, as well as creators abroad.[5][1][6][7][2] In support of the organisation's mission, Al Remaihi, CEO of DFI beginning in 2014, said: "I believe that film as a medium is strongly related to the rich storytelling tradition of the Arab world."[2] Sheikha Al-Mayassa remains involved by being a chairperson for the organisation.[8] Amanda Palmer was DFI's first CEO until stepping down in July 2012[9] to start a talent and production company.[10] DFI board member Mansour Ibrahim Al-Mahmoud served as acting CEO until banking executive Abdulaziz Al-Khater became CEO that October.[11][6][12] Under Al-Khater, DFI split from its partnership with the Tribeca Film Festival, thus ending the Doha Tribeca Film Festival (DTFF).[13] The organisation also saw major reductions in both cultural activities and staffing due to financial problems.[14] The Ajyal Film Festival (2013) and Qumra Film Festival (2014) were launched to replace the DTFF.[3] Fatma Al Remaihi became Acting CEO in August 2014 following his resignation, and permanent CEO in December.[15][16][17][2][18] Al Remaihi joined DFI in 2009 and was cultural advisor to the first DTFF, as well as DFI's Director of Programmes.[17] In May 2022, she received the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres award from the French government in recognition of her work with DFI.[17][19]

Collaborators

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In 2012, students from Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) were invited to create short films for the Made in Qatar segment of the DTFF. NU-Q faculty, such as Joe F. Khalil, Tim Wilkerson, Khaled Hroub, Justin Martin, and Scott Curtis, led discussions and panels at the event.[12] In 2013, DFI announced the creation of a $100 million feature film fund in collaboration with Jeffrey Skoll's production company Participant Media though no films were supported and the fund was later cancelled.[7][14] In 2019, DFI collaborated with the Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image to host the Qatar-India Year of Culture event.[20] In 2022, to celebrate the FIFA World Cup being held in Qatar, DFI and the Qatar Football Association started the Football Filmmaking Challenge, which invited creators ages 18 to 25 to make short films about football.[21]

Programmes

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Comedian Hilal Bilal performing at the 2010 DTFF

Doha Tribeca Film Festival (2009-2012)

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Main article: Doha Tribeca Film Festival

In 2009, a pre-launched DFI teamed up with Tribeca Enterprises to start the Doha Tribeca Film Festival.[10][22] Then-CEO Amanda Palmer was program director for the first three festivals.[10][23] This festival aimed to continue developing Qatar's film industry.[7][22] The Made in Qatar series present at the DTFF was later shifted to the Ajyal Film Festival.[12][18] The session at the 2012 DTFF saw the largest number of films yet presented in this series, including 15 world premieres.[12] The final edition of the festival took place over eight days in 2012 just prior the partnership between the two organisations ending following Palmer's departure from DFI and its replacement with the Ajyal and Qumra festivals under Al-Khater.[7][6][14][24][22]

Ajyal Film Festival (2013-present)

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The Ajyal Film Festival was launched in November 2013 to showcase family-friendly films from around the world "designed to nurture minds across generations and support the development of thoughtful future leaders."[25][1][3][26] Ajyal takes places over six or seven days in October or November each year.[25][26][1] Amid shutdowns and increased safety measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 edition was conducted in a hybrid format with both online and in-person film screenings.[27][26] The festival is unique in that its film jury consists of DFI members between ages 8 and 25 who take part in post-viewing discussions and vote for each year's winning films.[28] Those chosen by the jury are given funding for their next film.[25] Jurors themselves are divided into three groups: Mohaq (ages 8–12), Hilal (ages 13–17), and Bader (ages 18–25).[25] In 2021, more than 500 jurors from more than 40 countries participated.[25] In addition to evaluating each film in general, the jury looks specifically at how the film's message can "bring about social change."[2] Ajyal has annual themes as well that lend inspiration to its filmmakers. The 2021 theme was "Press Play," which focused on "mov[ing] forward out of pause mode and rekindl[ing] people's passion for play, exploration, and discovery through shared cultural experiences."[26] The festival also has a Made in Qatar session that showcases short films by Qatari creators.[18] In 2020, Made in Qatar was held drive-in style in Lusail.[29] In addition to the film screenings, Ajyal hosts several special events, including exhibitions, concerts, workshops, installations, live performances, panels, and family activities during the festival.[1][30]

Qumra (2014-present)

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The Qumra film platform started in March 2014 as a way to showcase up-and-coming filmmakers.[3][31] In addition to screenings, the festival holds masterclasses and discussions with industry professionals who help guide new filmmakers to making the content of their film internationally accessible.[32] Since its inception, Qumra has evolved beyond the event itself into an "online portal, digital event space, and resource hub, and a unique incubator intended to assist first- and second-time filmmakers from around the world."[2] The 2022 edition of Qumra was held virtually.[33] After being held online from 2020-2022, the 2023 Qumra Film Festival was held in Person again and featured 44 films of which 13 were from Qatar itself.[34][35]

Focus on Qatar (2015-2016)

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Focus on Qatar was a 3-day festival meant to showcased films and filmmakers from Qatar. The festival was held at the MIA, featured over 15 short movies and was opened with a screening of Clockwise, which was Qatars first feature-length movie.[36] The festival was held again in 2016 and showcased seven short documentaries by Qatari filmmakers at the MIA.[37]

Ajyal Film Club (2021-present)

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In 2021, the youth jurors from the Ajyal Film Festival[38] started the free-to-join Ajyal Film Club for people ages eight to 25.[28][39] Following a viewing of the selected films, which are available on at least one popular streaming platform for accessibility, jurors discuss the films.[39] The club was established to "put the spotlight on pressing global concerns and rally youth dialogue around them through the medium of film."[28] Previous topics include environmental concerns seen through the lenses of The Lorax, Chasing Coral, and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict with a focus on Palestine through The Present, My Neighbourhood, and 200 Meters.[28]

Other

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In addition to its film festivals, DFI hosts workshops, labs, and masterclasses for creators, including courses focused on screenwriting and producing.[40][41] Classes are mentored by industry professionals such as Annemarie Jacir, Fx Goby, Patrick Doyle, Richard Peña, Julie Goldman, Ghassan Salhab, Sebastián Sepúlveda, Ahmad Abdalla, Hisham Zaman, Rithy Panh, Kamal Aljafari, Marietta von Hausswolff von Baumgarten, and Ryan O'Nan, who can help students move through the steps of film creation, from screenwriting and development to post-production and marketing.[42][40][18] Other events include Cinema Under the Stars, family-friendly outdoor film screenings.[43]

Funding programmes

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The DFI Grants program biannually awards creators with funding in both the spring and fall, aiming to "support initiative that identifies and nurtures first- and second-time filmmakers globally."[44][45] As of May 2022, DFI has given financing to more than 650 films in 74 countries.[45][4] Funding is granted through two arms: the DFI Grants Programme, which "provides development, production and post-production funding to filmmakers from Qatar" and new filmmakers globally, and the Doha Film Institute Co-Financing programme, which "invests in film production through strategic partnerships with film projects."[44] In 2020, DFI announced it would be funding a television show, Oddity Tales from a Strange Land, for the first time.[46] The same year, about half of the spring grants were given to women directors.[46] In 2022, ten films funded at least partially by DFI were chosen for that year's Cannes Film Festival.[15] Backstage, one of the five DFI backed movies shown at 80th Venice Film Festival in 2023,[47] won the Cinema & Arts award,[48] while at the Cannes Film Festival the same year, the lead actress of another DFI backed film, About Dry Grasses, was awarded the Best Actress award.[49] At the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, six DFI-backed movies were shown.[50]

Examples of films financed or co-financed by the DFI are Theeb, Loving Vincent, The Prophet, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, The Salesman, Black Gold, Kanye West's Cruel Summer, The Attack, Capernaum, It Must Be Heaven, and Of Fathers and Sons.[2][7][51][10][52][4]

On 18 February 2024, DFI announced a short film event, featuring films produced by local directors, under “The Made in Qatar Film Competition” banner. The two day competition began 20 February, with the awards being presented the next day. The event was open to the general public for four days following the announcement of the winners.[53]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Doha Film Institute: Multi-channel campaign for youth film festival in the Middle-East". Square Peg. 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Kahil, Nadine (28 April 2021). "How Doha Film Institute CEO Fatma Hassan Al Remaihi is Driving Cinema Across the Gulf and Beyond". Vogue Arabia. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d ""Qumra Film Festival" and "Ajyal Film Festival"". Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage - State of Qatar. 20 May 2013. Archived from the original on 24 February 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "Made in Qatar: The Doha Film Institute's advancement of cinema". Casa Árabe. n.d. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  5. ^ "Our leadership". Qatar Museums. n.d. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Kemp, Stuart (3 October 2012). "Doha Film Institute Hires New CEO". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d e Haithman, Diane (5 August 2021). "Ron Meyer Is Adviser to Qatar Royal Family After Universal Exit". Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  8. ^ AlSharif, Farah (8 March 2021). "Powerhouses: The women taking centre stage in shaping Qatar today". Doha News. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  9. ^ "Palmer steps down from Qatar film role". Financial Times. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d "Doha Film Institute topper steps down". Variety. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  11. ^ Ritman, Alex (6 March 2014). "Whatever happened to the Qatari film industry?". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  12. ^ a b c d "NU-Q partners with Doha Film Institute to support local media at this year's DTFF". Northwestern University in Qatar. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  13. ^ Kemp, Stuart (30 April 2013). "Tribeca Enterprises, Qatar's Doha Film Institute End Cultural, Festival Partnership". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  14. ^ a b c Ritman, Alex (5 August 2014). "Doha Film Institute CEO Steps Down". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  15. ^ a b "10 films supported by Doha Film Institute selected to Cannes Film Festival 2022". The Peninsula. 12 May 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  16. ^ "Violinist, ESPN host and philanthropic leader among 2022 convocation speakers". Northwestern University. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  17. ^ a b c "DFI CEO awarded by French govt with Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters". The Peninsula. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  18. ^ a b c d "Ajyal Film Festival is a showcase of both regional talent and international independent films". Screen Daily. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  19. ^ "France Awards Doha Film Institute CEO Fatma Al Remaihi the Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters". Vogue Arabia. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  20. ^ Williams, George Julius (22 November 2019). "Made in India short films captivates audience – Ajyal Film Festival 2019". Qatar Indians. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  21. ^ Quirino, Tracy (31 May 2022). "QFA, Doha Film Institution launches football filmmaking challenge". I Love Qatar. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  22. ^ a b c Masters, Kim (5 August 2021). "Ron Meyer Inks Rich Deal to Rep Qatar as It Eyes Hollywood Investments". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  23. ^ Kemp, Stuart (19 November 2012). "Doha Film Institute Provides 27 New Film Grants to Regional Filmmakers". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  24. ^ "Tribeca, Doha Film Institute End Partnership". Variety. 30 April 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  25. ^ a b c d e "Doha Film Institute calls on young film-lovers to be part of 'Ajyal Jurors'". The Peninsula. 4 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  26. ^ a b c d "Ajyal Film Festival 2021 to open with award winning 'A Hero'". Gulf Times. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  27. ^ Atty, Miranda (17 November 2021). "How has Qatar's film industry changed over the past decade?". Euro News. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  28. ^ a b c d "Doha Film Institute launches Ajyal Film Club to drive youth dialogue on vital issues through film". Gulf Times. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  29. ^ "'Made in Qatar' opens at Ajyal Film Fest's first Drive-In Cinema at Lusail". Mena FN. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  30. ^ Aguilar, Joey (8 June 2022). "DFI to hold film screenings during World Cup". Gulf Times. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  31. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (12 March 2021). "Doha Film Institute's Qumra talent incubator launches 2021 edition". Screen Daily. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  32. ^ Rothe, E. Nina (7 March 2021). "The Doha Film Institute's Qumra 2021 goes global with its virtual edition". E. Nina Rothe. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  33. ^ "Doha Film Institute to host virtual edition of Qumra 2022 from March 18 to 23". I Love Qatar. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  34. ^ "First in-person Qumra in four years secures Masters including Lynne Ramsay, David Parfitt". Screen. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  35. ^ "Doha Film Institute unveils 44 projects for Qumra 2023". Screen. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  36. ^ "'Focus on Qatar' opens with first feature film Clockwise". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 1 October 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  37. ^ "Silver screen awaits 'Focus on Qatar'". Gulf Times. 3 October 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  38. ^ "Made in Qatar opens at Ajyal Film Festival at Lusail's Drive-In Cinema". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 21 November 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  39. ^ a b "Doha Film Institute launches Ajyal Film Club". Time Out Doha. 2 August 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  40. ^ a b "Doha Film Institute to host screenwriting lab for beginners". Time Out Doha. 18 July 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  41. ^ "DFI: Applications open for 'Producers Lab' workshop". The Pensinula. 7 September 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  42. ^ "Training & Development". Doha Film Institute. n.d. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  43. ^ "Doha Film Institute to screen 'Casablanca' on Thursday". The Peninsula. 18 April 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  44. ^ a b "DFI announces casting call, submissions for fall grants". The Peninsula. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  45. ^ a b "Doha Film Institute selects 44 inspiring projects for its 2022 Spring Grants". The Peninsula. 26 May 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  46. ^ a b "Doha Film Institute Announces New Grants, With Nearly Half for Female-Directed Projects". Variety. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  47. ^ Eltayeb, Mohamed (30 August 2023). "Venice Film Festival rolls out red carpet for DFI-supported films". Doha News | Qatar. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  48. ^ "DFI-backed film Backstage wins at Venice Film Festival". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  49. ^ Kilani, Hazar (28 May 2023). "DFI-funded film lead claims 'Best Actress' award at Cannes". Doha News | Qatar. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  50. ^ Suleiman, Fakhriya M. (13 May 2024). "Several Doha Film Institute-backed films set to showcase at 77th Cannes Film Festival". Doha News | Qatar. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  51. ^ "Doha Film Institute Co-Finances World's First Fully Painted Film". albawaba. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  52. ^ Kemp, Stuart (5 July 2012). "Doha Film Institute Executive Director Exits". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  53. ^ Salari, Fatemeh (18 February 2024). "Doha Film Institute celebrates homegrown talent with Made in Qatar Film competition". Doha News | Qatar. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
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