Mathaf announces short story competition in collaboration with Doha Film Institute

Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art and the Doha Film Institute (DFI) announced the launch of a short story competition for teenagers aged 13-17 years old, aimed at honing and highlighting the creative talent of youth.

In a press statement, Mathaf director Zeina Arida said: “Mathaf provides a vital platform to empower and support the local community in showcasing their work and talent. Our children and youth in particular have significant creative energy and potential. “Therefore, we are pleased to invite them to take part in this competition and unleash their creativity in writing short stories to mark a significant year in Qatar’s history as the country prepares to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. We look forward to further cooperation with the Doha Film Institute to discover and nurture the local talent.”Three of the best stories will be selected by a jury comprising the best local writers, including Mohammed Fakhroo, Shaikha alZeyara, and Lubaba AlHawari. DFI is dedicated to film appreciation, education, and building a dynamic film industry that focuses on nurturing regional storytellers while being entirely global in its scope. The winners will have the opportunity to take part in this year’s special edition of Ajyal Film Festival as jurors in the Hilal – ‘Crescent Moon’ in Arabic – Category, which consists of four feature films and a programme of shorts. The Ajyal Jury Competition is the core component of the festival, which will take place from October 1 to 8, and presents jurors with the chance to decide Ajyal’s competition winners. DFI CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi said: “We are honoured to partner with the Arab Museum of Modern Art – Mathaf to support youth talent development. This competition complements our mission to support the advancement of the local creative industry by focusing on nurturing youth and empowering them to pursue their passion while contributing to our country’s creative ecosystem. “By collaborating with national organisations, we are fulfilling our leadership’s vision to nurture a strong homegrown industry. We look forward to welcoming the winners of the competition to the Ajyal Jury Experience in October. Our Ajyal jurors, the very heart of this event, add exceptional value with their enthusiasm, positivity and passion for learning.”Centered on the theme of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the short story entries should be between 1600 and 2000 words, and submitted in person at Mathaf or via email: mathaf_library@qm.org.qa before the September 25 deadline.