Doha Film Institute (DFI) chief executive and 2024 Ajyal Festival director Fatma Hassan Alremaihi said the organisation has built a sustainable ecosystem for Arab and independent cinema, underpinned by its commitment to supporting creative expression, particularly during challenging times.
"Film festivals are now more important than ever as they have become the microphone for the people in a world of silence," Alremaihi said at an Ajyal 2024 media briefing, adding that the "DFI’s commitment to cinema extends beyond entertainment, viewing film festivals as catalysts for positive societal change".
"On opening night, everyone who spoke to me told me that they had never been to a festival where people can voice their opinion or voice issues like they can here,” she said. “They said it is really refreshing and that should be the norm of film festivals. Unfortunately, it is not.”
"Film festivals are there to make people's lives better, to make societies better,” the official added. “There's a mission behind it. It's not just to bring films to entertain, but to bring films that will impact us."
Speaking to the Qatar News Agency (QNA) on this year's success, as DFI prepares to host the 2025 Doha Film Festival, Alremaihi said that the core mission and programmes would remain intact while expanding to embrace new opportunities.
"Nothing is changing in the sense that we are replacing Ajyal,” she said. “This is simply the next stage of our festival, the next stage of our industry, and the next stage of the Institute. We have always been evolving and adapting to industry needs.”
The DFI’s role in nurturing local talent has shown remarkable results, particularly through the “Made in Qatar” programme.
"It has evolved from showcasing locally-made films to include projects developed in Qatar but produced elsewhere, demonstrating our flexible approach to supporting creative talent,” she added.
Highlighting another significant achievement, Alremaihi noted that the DFI's global impact has been independently validated by a Sorbonne University study that identified Qatar as the world leader in supporting women filmmakers with a presence at international festivals.
"The DFI’s impact is now global but we will continue to aim to generate more creative power not only for women, but for all underrepresented voices," she said.
Reflecting on *Ode to Our Land, directed by young Qatari filmmakers Amal al-Muftah and Rawda al-Thani, Alremaihi said: "The film took four years of work, but we were able to convey its message with the support of our talented Qatari female directors.”
“Currently, we are working on other projects under ‘Made in Qatar’, featuring diverse local and global stories and ideas,” she added.
Speaking about regional partnerships, Alremaihi said that the DFI is honoured to have brought Ajyal Film Club to Morocco for the first time to the city of Tangier.
"I was impressed by the Moroccan jurors their critiques, eloquence, and way of thinking were remarkable,” she said. “We look forward to building future partnerships with Morocco."
Alremaihi said that the DFI’s longstanding support to Palestinian cinema remains unwavering.
"Whatever we do will never be enough to bring their voices to the world,” she stated. “We have been supporting cinema from the region for the last 14 years and Palestine has always been an integral part of that contribution. It is important for us to amplify the stories that matter, and show them to the world.” – QNA
DFI CEO Fatma al-Remaihi
