DFI announces 33 projects for Qumra

Doha Film Institute (DFI) has announced the 33 projects from 19 countries selected to take part in the second edition of Qumra, slated to begin in Doha on March 4.
Directors and producers attached to 13 narrative feature films, 10 feature documentaries and 10 short films will participate in the six-day programme of bespoke industry sessions designed to progress their projects and prepare them for international markets.
The emphasis is on supporting first-and-second-time filmmakers with projects in development and post-production. There are 15 projects from Qatar-based filmmakers, 12 from the Middle East North Africa (Mena) region and six from the rest of the world.
While 11 of the 33 projects are feature films in development, 12 are in post-production and 10 are short films in development.
Twenty of the feature projects are alumni of the DFI’s grants programme and three are by independent filmmakers from Qatar. Of the 10 short projects, seven are by Qatari filmmakers and three by Qatar-based filmmakers identified through the DFI’s ongoing engagement with local industry.
DFI chief executive officer Fatma al-Remaihi said an intensive programme has been prepared for the project delegates so as to inspire them creatively and support them in navigating the evolving landscape of the film industry.
New to this year’s edition is the Qumra Shorts Programme, a dedicated strand designed to address the unique requirements of short films in development, during which 10 Qatar-based filmmakers will present their projects to a group of international industry professionals, including script consultants, producers, lab representatives, programmers and buyers, all of whom are experts in the short form.
The 10 short filmmakers have been supported by the DFI in various ways throughout their careers and many are alumni of its educational initiatives, workshops and funding programmes.
Kashta by AJ al-Thani has been supported by the DFI’s grants programme and Amer: The Arabian Legend by Jassim al-Rumaihi is supported by the Qatari Film Fund, the newly established funding and development programme for Qatari filmmakers, announced last year.
Directors and producers will attend the sessions in Doha where they will be linked with more than 100 experts from all facets of the film industry, including representatives from leading international film festivals, funding bodies, sales, production and distribution companies along with development specialists and script consultants.
The Qumra Projects delegates will also attend daily master classes and screenings presented by five Qumra Masters who represent some of the leading figures in world cinema today.
The 2016 Qumra Masters are: Nuri Bilge Ceylan (Turkey), Naomi Kawase (Japan), Joshua Oppenheimer (US), James Schamus (US), Aleksandr Sokurov (Russia). Each Master will be matched to a selection of Qumra projects to participate in dedicated mentoring sessions with the emerging filmmakers.