Scenes from Bidoon and Lockdown: Red Moon Escape (Right).
Doha Film Institute (DFI) will host the inaugural Focus on Qatar showcase from September 30 to October 2 at the Museum of Islamic Art.
The event is being held to highlight the achievements of the Qatari film industry over the past five years.
Part of the ongoing Hekayat Khaleejiya screening series, the Focus on Qatar showcase will put the spotlight on homegrown talent and key achievements that have contributed to the growth of a film culture in Qatar.
The three-day event will include screenings and industry programmes that celebrate the birth of cinema in Qatar and provide a snapshot of the filmmakers and production companies that are contributing to the Qatari industry’s growth.
Fatma al-Remaihi, CEO of DFI, said: “Focus on Qatar has been designed as a tribute to the nation’s talented filmmakers who have led the wave of change within our developing industry.”
The showcase launches with a special screening of Qatar’s first feature-length film ‘Clockwise’ (2010) by Khalifa al-Muraikhi on September 30. The screening will be preceded by an overview of the history of cinema in Qatar.
Focus on Qatar will also include screenings as part of the Next Generation Short Film Programme and Innovation Films Showcase.
The short film programme on October 1 will comprise films from independent filmmakers that have emerged in Qatar over the last five years. The Innovation Films Showcase on October 2 will highlight the achievements of Innovation Films, a company that has been at the forefront of Qatar’s cinematic rise.
The industry programme scheduled on October 1-2 brings together Qatari filmmakers and local industry professionals for two specially curated events: Meet the Production Houses and a panel, How to Distribute Your Film.
The Next Generation Short Film Programme (October 1, 8pm) will feature 10% (2014) by Yousef al-Moadhadi, Temsah (2013) by Latifa al-Darwish and Rouda al-Meghaiseeb, Attack of the Health Invaders (2014) by Noor al-Nasr, Amreeka Laa (2015) by Hind al-Ansari, Al-Kora (2013) by Amal al-Muftah, My Hero (2013) by Nora al-Subai, The Racer (2009) by Sophia al-Maria, In My Grandfather’s Past Through My Eyes (2009) by Noor Ahmed Yaqub, Molokhiaphobia! (2011) by Abdullah al-Ali, Old Airport Road (2014) by Abdullah al-Mulla and Land of Pearls (2011) by Mohamed al-Ibrahim.
The Innovation Films Showcase (October 2, 7pm) will feature Lockdown: Red Moon Escape (2012) by Mohamed al-Ibrahim and Ahmed al-Baker, Bidoon (2012) by Mohamed al-Ibrahim, T-Boy (2014) by Maryam al-Sahli and In I (2012) by Ali al-Ansari.
While all screenings and events are free, those interested have been requested to reserve a ticket for admission.
