Qatar
Doha College student’s film wins top award
Doha College student’s film wins top award
Suleima Alhaj Abed of Doha College won the QR10,000 award for the ‘Best Picture’ for her short documentary Yaqeen at the 2013 film festival jointly organised by the Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) and THIMUN Qatar, a partnership between Qatar Academy and The Hague International Model United Nations Foundation. |
Young filmmakers from six countries competed in the film festival held at St Regis Hotel on Saturday.
In its second international edition, the festival convened student directors to attend workshops and take part in skills-building exercises including a 24-hour team challenge to develop the best short film in one day.
The festival culminated with an Oscar-style gala awards ceremony, where judges announced winners across a number of categories, based upon their critical assessment of the films submitted. The event was created to encourage high school students to use film as a tool to advocate for social change and development.
Everette E Dennis, Dean and CEO of NU-Q, presented the Best Picture award, noting that effective storytelling was the key element in producing award-winning documentaries at any level.
“This programme introduces students to the world of film and communication more broadly, all of which is partly art, partly science, and very much about social impact. The experience benefits students regardless of whether they pursue filmmaking as a career path,” he said.
Commenting on the award Suleima said she had discovered her own identity through the film.
“I became involved in film because, as a director, you have the chance to make your voice heard.”
Her film Yaqeen features a Palestinian woman and a man sharing their stories about growing up under occupation. It was inspired by her family’s own experience dealing with issues of displacement and difficulties with education. She had spent ten days filming in Palestine for the documentary.
THIMUN Film Institute Co-ordinator and Qatar Academy student Noor al-Thani spoke of the power of film in effecting social change.
“I was previously involved in debate, but I find film much more compelling because you are able to transmit emotion through the screen, and if you can create empathy through your film, you can activate a wider audience for change.”
Mohamed Loqman of Aitchison College in Pakistan took the Runner Up award for the Best Picture for his film on child labour in his country.
Awards were also presented for Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Story, and Best Junior Film along with QR2,000 each.
The Best National Film award went to Qatari student Amal al-Muftah for her film Split Second. The film, which focuses on Qatar’s struggle with road safety, examines fatal car accidents and their effect on individuals.