The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has been continuously supporting the participation of Qatari filmmakers in various international film events, workshops and festivals, its CEO Fatma al-Remaihi has said.
Speaking to reporters at a discussion at Katara – the Cultural Village on Thursday, she stressed that they are committed to creating a vibrant film industry in Qatar and in the region by unlocking the potentials of the Arab cinema and nurturing Arab talents.
“We created an ecosystem that supports these objectives, from learning and training to film funding, to film industry events, to film production, and to marketing distribution and presentation,” she noted.
The institute supported three Qatari filmmakers to attend the industry conference at the Toronto International Film Festival recently.
Nine others had also been given the opportunity to work on international feature films, including acclaimed director Mira Nair’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist, a co-financed project.
In addition, two Qatari students were trained at the French national film school La Femis Summer University.
Since 2011, DFI has been supporting Qatari filmmakers who take part in the Cannes Producers Network/Producers Workshop. A selection of ‘Made in Qatar’ films had been presented at leading film events including Cannes Short Film Corner, Clermont Ferrand, Giffoni, Sarajevo and Berlin, among others.
Al-Remaihi said the institute promotes Arab cinema to new horizons via social media and encourages people to share their experiences using #SupportArabCinema, a regional initiative launched by Image Nation.
“Ever since its conception, moving pictures have proven to be far more than just a simple tool for entertainment,” she noted. “They not only tell stories but also help shape opinions, change perspectives and challenge notions to raise awareness or initiate positive change.”
DFI’s film screening initiatives provide cultural and creative discoveries for audiences in Doha all-year long, according to al-Remaihi. The regular screening series ‘Hekayat Khaleejiya: Stories from the Gulf’ showcases works by regional filmmakers.
The institute actively initiates partnerships with local organisations to present a selection of Made in Qatar films at many high profile local community events in Doha such as the National Day.
“The Arab world is going through a critical period of its history and it is crucial for these voices and stories to be heard, to have an understanding of the challenges and realities of our lives and our culture,” al-Remaihi stressed.