Doha Film Institute to host 9th Ajyal Film Festival hybrid edition during November
In response to the successful Ajyal Film Festival’s hybrid edition that took place last year, Doha Film Institute (DFI) had announced that this year’s film festival will take place from November 7 till 19.
The festival will once again be held in a hybrid format with a selection of in-person events and online activation. Moreover, the event will continue to follow similar safety protocols as last year.
One of the region’s most anticipated film festivals celebrating creative interaction and promoting cultural understanding through cinema, Ajyal Film Festival 2021 will return to showcase compelling films from across the world.
DFI’s annual signature event is an immersive celebration of community and the permeating power of film for audiences across generations, with a unique focus on young talent development through its internationally acclaimed youth jury program for ages 8 to 25.
Announcing the festival dates for this year, Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer of DFI, said, “The ninth edition of the festival reinforces its founding philosophy: to celebrate the finest of cinema from around the world while nurturing the appreciation and engagement of youth in creative and critical thinking. Ajyal continued to set a new standard in promoting cinema, despite the challenges following the pandemic, and we will build on our positive momentum by delivering a community-oriented festival that will inspire all.
“Ajyal’s focus on nurturing young talent and cinematic voices from around the world fuels our belief that in these unprecedented times, the impact of film and art moves beyond boundaries and limitations, and its innate power to connect and inspire is now more important than ever. Taking into consideration that travel restrictions are still in place in many countries, we will continue to maximize the reach of the hybrid model and ensure that all safety protocols are met,” she added.
Ajyal Film Festival 2021 will have several exciting features that will be announced in due course. Submissions of feature-length and short films for the festival will open on April 20, which will screen films from across the globe including DFI-supported films in addition to the acclaimed ‘Made in Qatar’ program of films by Qatari and Qatar-based filmmakers.
The ever-popular Ajyal Creativity Hub will delight families with a multisensory extravaganza that combines film, art, and music. Geekdom, Qatar’s largest and one-of-a-kind pop culture event; Ajyal Talks, gathering leaders from film, art, television, and technology for inspiring and insightful discussions; and Ajyal Tunes, celebrating the country’s musical talents through a mix of online initiatives and in-person concerts.
Guests can also look forward to the Ajyal Exhibition series that presents works of art by emerging and accomplished local artists.
An invaluable exchange of culture and learning through film, Ajyal’s move into the virtual sphere last year inspired an even greater number of participants to benefit from this one-of-a-kind cultural initiative.
The eighth edition of the festival screened 80 films from 46 countries in an innovative mix of virtual and in-person film screenings, interactive discussions, and DFI’s first-ever drive-in cinema in Lusail as part of a program of unique experiences for all ages.
For more information on Doha Film Institute, please visit dohafilminstitute.com
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Cover Image Credit and Source: The Peninsula
