The 12th Ajyal Film Festival presented by the Doha Film Institute (DFI) brings a powerful lineup of films to audiences Monday, including family dramas and visually striking animations that explore themes of adaptation and survival in changing times.
Among the highlights is the screening of Brief History of a Family (China, France, Denmark, Qatar/2024), directed by Jianjie Lin. The winner of the Best Artistic Contribution Award at the Beijing International Film Festival 2024, the film will be screened at 8pm at VOX Cinemas, Doha Festival City.
Flow (Latvia, France, Belgium/2024), directed by Gints Zilbalodis, will be shown at 7.30pm at VOX Cinemas. Nominated for the Un Certain Regard Award at Cannes 2024, the animation follows a solitary cat seeking refuge on a boat with other animals. A powerful tribute to Gaza, audiences can watch From Ground Zero (Palestine, France, Qatar, Jordan, UAE/2024) at 7.30pm at the Katara Drama Theatre. Curated by Rashid Masharawi, the collection of 22 short films by filmmakers from Gaza provides an intimate glimpse into the daily lives, struggles, and hopes of people living under siege. Each film, ranging from 3 to 6 minutes, offers a unique perspective on survival, resilience, and the human spirit in the face of ongoing conflict. Entry is free, but tickets need to be reserved.
Also open for free to the public, subject to reserving tickets, is the exclusive premiere of an episode from The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition Season 2, at 8.30pm at Katara Opera House. Co-produced by Media City Qatar and filmed in Qatar and Singapore, the action-packed season features ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong. The series will premiere on beIN’s TOD across Mena on November 20.
Audiences can also watch Through Rocks and Clouds (Peru, Chile/2024), directed by Franco García Becerra, at 6pm, VOX Cinemas. The film won a Special Mention of the Generation Kplus International Jury at the Berlin International Film Festival 2024.
Tickets to Brief History of a Family, Flow and Through Rocks and Clouds can be purchased online at www.dohafilminstitute.com/filmfestival or in person from the Ajyal Katara Box Office (Katara Building 16) or Ajyal Box Office – VOX Cinemas, Doha Festival City.
The 12th edition of Ajyal features 66 films from 42 countries and includes several special programmes such as Voices from Palestine and the Intaj: From Ground Zero Experience exhibition. Ajyal 2024 continues through November 23 with screenings and events across various locations including Katara Cultural Village, Sikkat Wadi Msheireb, Lusail, and VOX Cinemas Doha Festival City.
Brief History of a Family
Flow
From Ground Zero
