Doha Film Institute (DFI) announced that Qatar has been named the guest country at this year’s Marrakech Short Film Festival, a significant recognition of the nation’s growing influence in the world of cinema.
As part of the cultural exchange to mark the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, DFI is partnering with the festival to present a special programme of 10 ‘Made in Qatar’ films, which began on September 27 and runs until October 2.
DFI will also screen four contemporary Moroccan films by renowned and emerging Moroccan directors at the Museum of Islamic Art from October 10 to 12 in a programme titled ‘Mosaics from Morocco,’ and this year’s edition of Ajyal Film Festival will include a specially curated programme of ‘Made in Morocco’ short films between November 16 to 23.
In a press statement, DFI CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi said: “Being named a guest country at the festival is a proud moment for Qatar and we are honoured to share our stories, voices and unique perspectives through the ‘Made in Qatar’ films, and in return showcase Morocco’s auteurs and emerging directors in Doha”.
The screenings Sunday included Sanad by Noor al-Nasr and When It’s Time by Awad Hashim Karrar.
On Monday, A Proposal by Nadia al-Khater, and Emsahar by Hassan al-Jahni will be screened.
Kinship by Ali al-Hajri; and Olayan by Khalifa al-Marri will be screened tomorrow. The final screening on October 2 is of Sh’hab by Amal al-Muftah.
The ‘Mosaics of Morocco’ screenings at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha include House in the Fields (2017) by Tala Hadid; Mica (2020) by Ismaël Ferroukhi; Fragments from Heaven (2022) by Adnane Baraka and Indivision (2023) by Leila Kilani.
DFI will also screen four contemporary Moroccan films at the Museum of Islamic Art from October 10 to 12.
