By Joey Aguilar

Staff Reporter

The Ajyal Youth Film Festival’s Family Weekend event attracted a large number of visitors with numerous fun-filled activities and cultural shows at Katara - the Cultural Village yesterday.

Northwestern University-Qatar (NU-Q) has given individuals and families a chance to experience presenting the news in a real TV studio.

Robb Wood, director of Strategic Partnerships at NU-Q, told Gulf Times that they want to help teach and explain to residents in the country how the media (especially TV) works.

“It is a chance for us to show what we do and to offer some activities for the local community that they might enjoy,” he said. “It’s been so much fun. They can learn more about media and how you produce it, which they watch every day.”

Wood noted that everybody – children and adults- have a keen interest in media. “Everybody uses media but not as many people know how it is made,” he added.

From 2pm, a large number of people lined up at the NU-Q tent waiting for their queue to become “instant TV news anchors.”

In another tent near the Katara Hall, young jurors gathered to perform in front of their colleagues. Most of them sang in A Capella while some preferred to dance in pairs.

Vaidehi Viswanath, a grade 11 student at Qatar Academy, told Gulf Times that Ajyal’s talent show is a place for them to showcase their skills and interests apart from filmmaking.

“I was worried about what song I would sing, I just went up there and winged it and it was so nice because I had no fear of the actual crowd,” noted Viswanath, who received a loud applause from the audience. “They were all so sweet, so welcoming and it was absolutely fun.”

Cultural performances of local youth, students and groups on the Ajyal stage also highlighted the “Weekend Fun” yesterday.

Ajyal also set up booths and tents for its 5D simulator, Gaming Centre, Dancing Heads, Movie Experience and Create Your Own Movie Poster at the esplanade, including an inflatable playground and an art wall for children.

The Sandbox, an interactive digital environment at Katara Building No 3, will be open from 10am to 10pm today. It features the latest digital gadgets used in filmmaking and gaming.