By Joey Aguilar
Staff Reporter
The red carpet ceremony of “Speed Sisters” highlighted the opening of the 2014 Ajyal Youth Film Festival at Katara – the Cultural Village.
Director-screenwriter Amber Fares and the whole cast of the film led the colourful start of the annual festival.
“It is a film about the Middle East and for the Middle East and for us to be here in Ajyal is amazing,” Fares told reporters. “This is a story about five Palestinian women who race cars, and it is a story about breaking through barriers and following their dreams.”
The film also presents how the protagonists have overcome criticism, disappointment, arbitrary rulings and restrictions to take the auto-racing world by storm.
Fares believe there are several stories to be told in the Middle East to correct all the misconceptions about the region.
The director lauded Ajyal saying it is a wonderful and unique festival with so many films to watch during the six-day festival which will conclude on December 6.
The opening was also attended by HE the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr Hamad bin Abdul Aziz al-Kuwari, Ajyal acting CEO and director Fatma al-Remaihi, Qatar Tourism Authority chairman and Ajyal board vice-chair Issa bin Mohamed al-Mohannadi and a bevy of Arab and international celebrities wearing elegant and stylish dresses.
Fans and visitors also had the chance to see Marah Zahalka, Betty Saadeh, Maysoon Jayyusi, Noor Daoud, and Moona Ennab, who portrayed the first all-woman rally-racing team in the Middle East.
“Ajyal Youth Film Festival will create memories of a lifetime for many young people in our community,” al-Remaihi said in a press statement. “The heart and soul of Ajyal are the 450 young people who make up our Doha Film Experience juries.”
The festival had also welcomed 25 international jurors from various parts of the world who will be evaluate and discuss a total of 61 films. They will meet with filmmakers, and join daily workshops and events “designed to spark their imaginations and inspire creativity.”
Some 90 films from 43 screens will be screened during the festival, which also hosts numerous special events, exhibitions, digital installations, outdoor screenings live performances, panels and family weekend activities.
Al-Remaihi said the “Made in Qatar” section brings together an immense pool of talented individuals in Qatar that remained an highlight of the festival.
Earlier in the day, she inaugurated the Doha Film Experience which she said serves as a platform for self-expression and creativity for young jurors.
HE Minister al-Kuwari, who led the opening ceremony on Monday, noted that a film is not only a medium of entertainment but also has a strong influence on culture and the community.
“We seek to create a dynamic cinema culture in our community and among Arab communities,” he stressed.
The Minister finds Ajyal as an opportunity to discuss, interact and gain enriching experiences, citing the support of HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, chair of Doha Film Institute.
