The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has opened the door for filmmakers in Qatar to take part in the eighth edition of Ajyal Film Festival, scheduled from November 18- 23 this year. In an e-mail to Qatar Museums Culture Pass members, DFI said it has started accepting entries for the Made in Qatar section. The deadline is on September 3.
Entries - narrative or documentary films of any length – must be shot in Qatar or the film’s story must revolve around Qatar, according to DFI. Winners of the Ajyal competition sections, including Made in Qatar, will receive cash prizes: $5,000 for the Best Narrative Award, $5,000 for Best Documentary Award, $3,000 for Abdulaziz Jassim Award for Best Performance, and diploma for the Special Jury Mention.
To qualify, DFI noted that “the writer, director or producer must be a Qatari national or other holding a valid residence permit in Qatar.”
DFI requires all non-English-language works to have English subtitles, which must be accompanied by an industry-standard time-coded English-language dialogue list to be eligible for consideration.
DFI noted that the six-day festival (Ajyal is Arabic for ‘generations’) “will bridge gaps and bring generations together through activities and events designed to inspire creative interaction among the various sectors of the regional community.”
According to DFI, Ajyal’s format includes the Ajyal Competition, as well as the Made in Qatar section. Alongside the official film programme, it also features special screenings, thematic tributes, ‘Cinema Under the Stars’ and the ‘Creativity Hub’.
Besides Made in Qatar, the Ajyal Competition sections 2020 also include Mohaq (New Moon) for jurors aged 8-12 years; Hilal (Crescent) for jurors aged 13-17 years; Bader (Full Moon) for jurors aged 18-21 years; Bariq (Sparkle) for jurors-in-training (4-7 years) and their families; and Special Screenings, a selection of diverse films including opening night, tributes, Cinema Under the Stars and themed screenings.
DFI said “the festival is designed to enhance and encourage regional film-related education programmes, making it an engaging, fun experience for families and educators through collective and individual interaction with the medium of cinema.”
“At the same time, the festival provides an open forum for dialogue and discourse among its many participants, where the full scope of complex issues facing today’s youth can be discussed. This not only empowers the next generation of storytellers, but also gives them a secure platform from which their voices can be heard,” DFI added.
Submission of entries started on June 4 and the deadline for the Ajyal competition will be on August 9 and participants will be notified of the status of their entry on October 4.
Filmmakers can now submit their film entries for the Made in Qatar section.
