Acclaimed Filipino filmmaker Lav Diaz, known for his slow-cinema masterpieces, will share his unique vision and cinematic philosophy at Qumra 2025, the Doha Film Institute (DFI) has said.
Diaz has been announced as a Qumra Master for DFI’s 2025 event, joining four other renowned global film luminaries: Iranian-French cinematographer Darius Khondji, Brazilian filmmaker Walter Salles, award-winning Mexican costume designer Anna Terrazas, and celebrated genre-defying Hong Kong filmmaker Johnnie To.
Qumra, a unique platform dedicated to nurturing talent and fostering hands-on development for filmmakers from Qatar, the region, and beyond, marks its 11th year and will run from April 4-9 for in-person sessions and April 12-14 online.
DFI noted that Diaz, widely celebrated for his unflinching portrayal of socio-political issues and historical complexities in the Philippines, is known for challenging conventional cinematic norms. His films, often running for several hours, invite audiences into a nuanced interplay of time and memory, prompting reflection on the relationship between the two.
Some of Diaz’s notable works include his nearly 11-hour magnum opus ‘Evolution of a Filipino Family’ (2004); ‘Norte, the End of History’ (2013), selected in Cannes Un Certain Regard; and the Venice Golden Lion-winning ‘The Woman Who Left’ (2016).
Diaz, often referred to as the “ideological father of the New Philippine Cinema,” has inspired an entire generation of filmmakers to embrace bold, uncompromising approaches to storytelling, DFI said.
In a press statement, DFI CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi stressed that the five new Qumra Masters 2025 now join the legacy of iconic storytellers who have supported DFI’s mission to empower important voices in film.
Lav Diaz
