The seventh edition of Ajyal Film Festival, presented by Doha Film Institute (DFI), celebrated its official jury opening event at Katara - the Cultural Village on Sunday.

More than 450 jurors from 45 countries are part of the internationally acclaimed jury programme to view, discuss and evaluate the films showcased at the festival and discover cinema as a medium of global positive change.

Addressing the assembled jurors, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of Doha Film Institute, said: “Ajyal is more than just films. It is a journey that will stay with you forever - the people you meet and the things you see will not end with the festival, but in fact encourage you to continue to carry forward the spirit of what you learn over the next six days.


HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani at the 2019 Ajyal Film Festival jury opening.

"Qatar’s film industry will rise with our youth, so I encourage you to rise to this occasion and take this opportunity to learn together and become part of a global movement of youth that are making a difference.”

Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, CEO of DFI and festival director, added: “We are proud to welcome new young faces to this year’s Ajyal Jury programme. Over the next few days, our jurors will be part of an inspiring journey of learning and building community, while they explore new horizons of creative and cultural understanding through the powerful medium of film. I look forward to hearing the stories of new inspiration and awareness that you will discover on the big screen and in each other.”

The Ajyal 2019 jury competition line-up consists of 15 feature films and a series of short programmes, which will be reviewed by more than 400 jurors from 45 nationalities, including 48 international jurors who have travelled to Doha for the event from Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Iraq, India, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mozambique, Oman, Palestine, Turkey, Tunisia and the UK.


HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani with the 2019 Ajyal Jurors.

Each jury category - Mohaq (ages 8-12 years), Hilal (ages 13-17 years) and Bader (ages 18-21 years) - will watch a carefully curated selection of films, discuss them collectively and with industry experts, evaluate the individual creative and emotional impact of these films, and participate in events including panels, workshops and Q&A sessions with filmmakers, DFI has explained in a statement.

Tickets for the seventh Ajyal Film Festival are available for purchase at the Ajyal Main Box Office located in Katara Building 10; at the Ajyal Box Office at VOX Cinemas Doha Festival City for screenings taking place at VOX Cinemas; and from the Novo Cinemas Box Office for screenings at Novo Cinemas, The Pearl-Qatar.

For ticket purchase and up-to-date information on the festival, one can visit https://www.dohafilminstitute.com/filmfestival/ticketinformation

https://www.dohafilminstitute.com/filmfestival/films

The 2019 Ajyal Film Festival’s official partners include Katara – Cultural Partner; Qatar National Tourism Council – Principal Partner; Novo Cinemas, Ooredoo – Strategic Partner, and The St Regis Doha - Signature Partner.




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