By Afnan Linjawi
DOHA - Doha Film Institute is holding the 4th Ajyal Film Festival in Doha from November 30th to December 6th. Ajyal Film Festival CEO Fatima Al-Rumaihi spoke to Saudi Gazette about the festival, which she said takes great pride in being the hub of cinema in Qatar.
“We screen films made for all ages and groups of society. We screen internationally-renowned films, some classic features and locally-produced works. Ajyal Film Festival focuses on the involvement of the youth in the film industry. Each year, we invite children and young adults aged 8 to 21 years old to rate the films they watch and choose their favorite ones,” said Al-Rumaihi.
Children and young adults are divided into three categories based on their ages.
“The first category is for children aged 8 to 12 years old. This category is called Muhaq (meaning New Moon in Arabic). The second category is for teenagers aged 13 to 17 years old. This category is called Hilal (meaning Crescent in Arabic). The third category is for young adults aged 18 to 21 years old. This category is called Bader (meaning Full Moon in Arabic),” said Al-Rumaihi.
The festival is a platform that brings filmmakers and film enthusiasts together. Supported by the Qatari government, it is viewed as a necessity and not an accessory to the growth of society.
“We are supported by both the private and public sectors. Qatar believes in the power of film and believes in films as the medium to expose to the external world who we are,” said Al-Rumaihi.
The festival is an ongoing platform that supports filmmakers all year round through workshops, competitions, master classes and forums.
“Our goal is to empower the individual to create positive change to world issues. Our biggest attraction in the festival is the Made in Qatar short films which are produced in Qatar. Our tickets for that segment were sold out before the festival even began,” said Al-Rumaihi.
Aj Al-Thani, writer and director of the film short film “Kashta,” said her film speaks of a universal story about the power struggle in the family.
“The film puts two young brothers in a dire situation in which they have to grow up and work together to save their father. It’s not easy being an Arab woman in an industry that does not have a lot of women. I am supported by my family but there is always social pressure which can affect them,” said Al-Thani.
She added she is greatly supported by the Doha Film Institute and she believes in her abilities to succeed in the film industry.
Noor Al-Nasr, writer and director of the short film “Dana’s Kite”, said she was inspired by an everyday moment that happens to everyone nowadays.
“I was fortunate to have a childhood in which I got to play outside and I had memories. But nowadays, I see my younger nieces and brothers always on their devices. I feel sad for them because they are missing out on creating beautiful memories and having a childhood,” said Al-Nasr.
Amer Jamhour, the writer and director of the short film “Dunia,” said his film deals with the issue of domestic violence and how it can affect the people around the victim.
“Although the issue I am addressing is shared by many but it is not talked about enough in society. I tried to bring a unique perspective to the issue and focus on the victim’s decisions and actions rather than on the violence itself,” said Jamhour.
Justin Kramer, a film producer, said he sees a lot of great potential in Qatari filmmakers and encouraged Qataris to make their own stories.
“I came to Doha in 2009 for the first Doha Tribeca Film Festival. I returned on a later year to teach filmmaking in Doha. I started the company The Film House in 2012 after seeing the needs of the filmmaking industry in Qatar,” said Kramer.
He added everyone has a story worth sharing.
“In a region where filmmaking is so young, I would like to encourage anyone with a passion for filmmaking to go out and bring their stories to the big screen. The Gulf has an advantage of telling unique stories that haven’t been told before.”
