Films from Qatar screening at the Toronto International Film Festival
The Doha Film Institute (DFI) is now at the 40th Toronto International Film Fesival!
Yes, you read me right! Film festivals have always been a topic that interests almost everyone. This time, it has become more captivating for those in Qatar.
Nine of Doha Film Institute’s features will be screening at the ongoing 40th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Three of them will be premiering worldwide at this most awaited for annual event.
Also, “The Idol” directed by the twice Academy-Award nominee Hany Abu-Assad made its world premiere on Friday in the Special Presentations Programme.
This film which was co-financed by the Doha Film Institute narrates the remarkable true story of Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf. Both, Abu-Assad, the director of the movie, and Mohammed Assaf were present at the premiere.
Also, Qais Athallah, the young Gazan actor who plays the boy Assaf in the film and, Ahmed Qasim and Abdelkader Abubaraka who play as his childhood friends were also seen at the screening.
It looks like “The Idol” had hit a chord in many for there had been a lot of positive remarks about it. A leading US trade publication called Variety, has said, “A thoroughly captivating portrait of Mohammad Assaf, the Gazan singer who won Arab Idol at age 23 and became an irresistible symbol of hope for Palestinians worldwide”.
It also has added that, “it is a picture that deserves an audience well beyond its natural Arab fanbase.”
Moreover, the Doha Film Institute has also invited three Qatari filmmakers to grace the TIFF Industry Programme. Bassam Al-Ibrahim and Mohamed Al-Ibrahim from Innovation Films and Khalifa Al-Haroon, the founder of the ILoveQatar network are those fortunate ones who will be attending the seven day Industry Programme.
The Toronto International Film Festival will go on until the 20th of September.
Any Thoughts?
