Representing the rising film industry in Qatar, national talent is at the forefront of Qumra 2019, the Doha Film Institute’s (DFI) fifth annual industry event which opens tomorrow (March 15) at Souq Waqif and the Museum of Islamic Art.
Of this year’s 36 Qumra projects, 15 are Qatar-based offerings, including three feature narrative and one feature documentary in development; one feature documentary in post-production; five shorts in development and five shorts in the works in progress stage. Over the six-day intensive assessment and feedback programme, leaders in the film industry will lend their expertise to the future success of first- and second-time filmmakers.
In addition, six short films by Qatar-based talents will screening in the New Voices of Cinema segment including four films by Qatari directors. The screenings are open to the public and will be followed by audience Q&A’s with the talents associated with the films.
“The Doha Film Institute is excited to be connecting the creativity and ambition of our emerging talent with the wisdom and experience of leaders in the global film industry in the fifth edition of Qumra,” said CEO Fatma Hassan al-Remaihi.
“We are very excited to present the works in progress screening of the first Documentary Feature by a Qatari national; underlining the evolution of a strong film ecosystem in the country. As the depth and profile of our homegrown talent continues to grow, it is powerfully inspiring to have some of the most respected professionals in cinema contributing to their future success.”
New Voices in Cinema: Films by Qatar-based directors: Wake by Zahed Bata (Jordan, Qatar/2018), Hope by Mohamed Shaikhow (Syria, Iraq, France, Qatar/2018) Sh’hab by Amal al-Muftah (Qatar/2018), Gubgub by Nouf al-Sulaiti (Qatar/2018) - The film’s lead Fatima al-Nahdi won the inaugural Abdulaziz Jassim Award for Best Performance at the 2018 Ajyal Film Festival.
Amphitheater by Mahid Ali Ali (Qatar/2018), Just Another Memory by Mariam al-Dhubhani (Qatar/2018) - Winner of the Best Documentary award at the 2018 Ajyal Film Festival.
Feature Narrative and Feature Documentary projects by Qatari talents in development stage being nurtured as 2019 Qumra projects are: Feature Narrative – Development: Lavandula by Mahdi al-Ali (Qatar / Qatari Film Fund 2018), Behind Closed Doors by Hend Fakhroo (Qatar / Spring Grants 2018), Khuzama by A J al-Thani (Qatar / Qatari Film Fund 2017).
Feature Documentary – Development: Qatar Stars by Danielle Beverly (US, Qatar). The first Qatari Documentary Feature presented as Works in Progress screening at 2019 Qumra: Feature Documentary – Post-Production: Places Of The Soul by Hamida Issa (Qatar / 2016 Qumra development project / Fall Grants 2015 and 2018) - A Qatari woman travels on an environmental expedition to Antarctica in search of hope for a sustainable future before returning to Qatar in search of inspiration to make positive change.
2019 Shorts by Qatar-based talents in Development include: Msa7ar (Qatar) by Hassan al-Jahni, Border (Qatar/ Fall Grants 2018) by Khalifa al-Thani, J’ai le cafard (Kuwait, UK, Qatar) by Maysaa al-Mumin, Al-Azza (Sudan, Qatar) by Eman Mirghani, 6 Months and 1 Day (France, Morocco, Qatar) by Yassine Ouahrani.
2019 Qumra Shorts from Qatar in Works in Progress include: End of the Road (Qatar/ Qatari Film Fund 2017) by Ahmed al-Sharif, The Black Veil (Qatar/ Spring Grants 2017) by A J al-Thani, Beit Byoot (Palestine, Qatar/ Fall Grants 2017) by Mayar Hamdan- Jameela, Paper Plane (Egypt, Qatar) by Nada Bedair, In the Middle (Yemen, Russia, Qatar) by Mariam al-Dhubhani.
Qumra 2019 industry events include workshops and mentorship and networking sessions for first- and second-time filmmakers with international film industry experts; Qumra Masterclasses led by acclaimed luminaries of cinema; Qumra Masters film screenings with Q&A sessions; and Qumra Talks.
Further details about ticket prices and sales for the screenings are now available on www.dohafilminstitute.com.
Sh’hab
