The fifth Ajyal Youth Film Festival, scheduled to take place at Katara – the Cultural Village from November 29 to December 4, will feature 103 films from 43 countries.

The Middle East premiere of ‘The Breadwinner (Canada/Ireland/ Luxembourg, 2017)’ by Nora Twomey and executive produced by Angelina Jolie will mark the opening of the six-day event, which is presented by the Doha Film Institute (DFI).
The film is an animated Afghan tale of an 11-year old girl who uses her creativity in earning money to support her mother and sister after her father was unjustly arrested. It is based on the best-selling novel by Deborah Ellis about Parvana.
“The film shines a spotlight on a young girl's will and determination, and is a powerful tribute to the positive spirit of humanity – instilling hope, self-confidence and motivation,” DFI CEO Fatma al-Remaihi told reporters at a press conference on Monday at Katara. She was joined by DFI chief administrative officer and Ajyal deputy director Abdulla al-Musallam, and DFI senior programmer Chadi Zeineddine.
A one-of-a-kind film event in the region, she noted that “Ajyal puts young people around the world at the heart of its story,” highlighting social issues that affect them.
These include international migration crisis, familial bonding, loss of loved ones, the lack of opportunity or the urgent need for empowerment of girls and young women. Al-Remaihi noted that the Ajyal 2017, organised in partnership with Katara, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Ooredoo, and Qatar Tourism Authority, presents a diverse programme of 20 features and 83 short films, where 55 are from the Arab world and 52 by female filmmakers.
The festival is set to showcase 36 public screenings of the films, 18 screenings dedicated to the Ajyal jury, interactive panel discussions (at Ajyal Talks), red-carpet events, and community-oriented activities for all ages.
Some 16 short films in the ‘Made in Qatar’ section will take the centre stage in this year’s shorts programme to celebrate the work of filmmakers who call Qatar home. Along with 50 shorts from across the globe, moviegoers are expected to enjoy what was described as an “interesting and essential cinematic art form.”
The festival will also screen 25 DFI-supported films through its Grants programme, co-financing, Qatari Film Fund or projects mentored through its labs and workshops. These include feature films Loving Vincent, Looking for Oum Kulthum, Birds Like Us, Disappearance, Wallay, Liyana and House in the Fields.
Part of the programme is celebrating the illustrious career of Kuwaiti actor Abdulhussain Abdulredha, who passed away earlier this year with an honourary award and putting a special ‘Made in Kuwait’ section, which will feature eclectic and moving selection of short films.
“His creative journey inspired people throughout the Arab world, nowhere more so than in his home country and Ajyal 2017 pays a tribute to this creative genius who united people through art with an honourary award,” al-Remaihi said.
More than 550 jurors from over 45 countries aged eight to 21, who comprise the ‘Ajyal Competition Jury,’ will watch and analyse films under three competitive sections: Mohaq, Hilal, and Bader. These include 29 international jurors from Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Tunisia, Turkey and the UK.
The festival will also set up a ‘Creativity Hub’ for cultural and creative activities, which includes Geekdom – a hub for the community to come together and relive their childhood memories through music, games, competitions, talks and films.

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