Ajyal Film Festival, which returns in its seventh edition from November 18-23 at Katara Cultural Village, will see the Doha Film Institute (DFI) highlighting partnerships with leading entities from across Qatar’s public and private sector in a joint commitment to youth empowerment through the arts.
Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) is this year’s principal partner and official geekdom partner. Novo Cinemas returns strategic partner with film screenings at the Pearl. Strategic partner Ooredoo returns to ensure seamless event execution powered by integrated telecommunication capabilities.
Fatma al-Remaihi, festival director and CEO of the Doha Film Institute, said: “The economic impact of Ajyal Film Festival over the years has grown significantly with the event not only energising the hospitality, retail and leisure sectors, but also contributing to the growth of our country’s creative and tourism sectors in the long-term. We owe the success of Ajyal Film Festival to our strong and reliable network of partners; whose collaborative spirit continues to play a key role in one of Qatar’s most significant cultural events. We are deeply grateful to be part of a community that unites to support the creative industries and empower a new generation of storytellers.”
Prominent international guests will be hosted at The St Regis Doha, the festival’s official hotel sponsor. The contributing sponsors include Sony (official electronics partner), Fifty-One East, FNAC and Qatar Airways (official airline partner).
Jawaher Alkhuzaei, QNTC, said, “We are very excited to be partnering with Ajyal Film Festival and helping to reinforce Qatar’s position as a cultural hub in the region.
Tourism and the arts are both means of building bridges between cultures, and so this partnership comes as part of QNTC’s commitment to support local events that celebrate Qatari culture with the world, reflecting our nation’s futuristic vision which remains deeply rooted in our heritage.”
“QNTC works to diversify tourism products and experiences, whether in culture, the arts or entertainment, and we continue to support events that shed a light on local talent while empowering them to play a part in building the Qatari experience,” she added.
Presented by Ooredoo for the second consecutive year, the ‘Made in Qatar’ programme returns to Ajyal to amplify talented young voices in the country’s growing film community.
A total of 22 narrative and documentary films by Qatari directors and Qatar-based filmmakers will compete for the prestigious Made in Qatar Awards 2019.
The programme jury includes prominent figures from the international arts and culture scene, including Sudanese filmmaker Amjad Abu Alala; British actor Kris Hitchen; and Qatari architect and urbanist Fatma al-Ehlawy.
The events will culminate in the Ajyal Awards, whose winning titles are determined by members of the Ajyal Jury – an internationally acclaimed programme open to youth in the age group of eight to 21 from Qatar and beyond.
