BY RAYNALD C RIVERA
DOHA: Doha Film Institute support not only local filmmakers but also local production companies, says DFI CEO Fatma Al Remaihi.
Responding to a question at a panel discussion on ‘How to Distribute Your Film’ at Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Auditorium yesterday, Al Remaihi said DFI has a production department to promote the Qatari film market.
“Before DFI, all big companies went abroad to shoot their commercials, now we employ local companies. Fifty percent of work is done in Qatar. We only bring from abroad what is not available locally. We are allowing these big companies to trust local production firms. This way we are supporting the filmmaking industry,” she added.
With regard to local filmmakers who avail of DFI grants, she said the institute’s support for them does not stop when the film is completed.
“After the film is done, we don’t stop there. We work with directors to screen their films at international festivals. We help them market their films, make posters, trailers. We try to push the boundaries. We have to show them the ecosystem of the industry to reach their goals.”
Al Remaihi said there is growing interest in films from the region at international festivals.
“Festivals ask for these films because they want to see stories from Qatar, the Gulf and the Arab world,” she added.
Locally, the Made in Qatar segment has witnessed a lot of development and success as more and more people here attended screenings in many events DFI has organised. “Despite the fact that production is not very high and even if these film are not popular, there is demand for them because people want to see Qatari men, women, children in films.” More important than the film’s budget is creativity which can take the film to international level, she said.
QTV General Manager Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Thani Al Thani said a big budget does not spell a film’s success.
He cited the movie The Blair Witch Project whose budget was less than $60,000 but it grossed millions of dollars at the box office.
“Yes, there are films that cost $100m but they fail at the box office. People now think out of the box. They get out of what is familiar,” he said.
He stressed that QTV is always ready to support Qataris who have novel ideas whether for a drama series or a new programme that can attract viewers and benefit the audience.
“As distributors and cinema owners, we have to have a good film with a good plot and storytelling. For example, Saudi film Wadjda’s storytelling is very smooth. Such movies do not need a big budget for production, they just need a good script and a good director that effectively tells the story,” said Gulf Film CEO Selim Azar.
Panellists said the film marketing and distribution landscape has evolved and is now easier than before. “In the past, young emerging filmmakers in general needed support from an organisation or institution, TV or distribution company. Now they can market their films through social media so the doors are open to everybody,” said Entube General Manager Khalid Hassan Al Remaihi.
He said Entube works with DFI by discovering talents and providing them with technical knowledge and tools in various aspects of filmmaking, marketing and distribution. The panel was the last industry event as part of DFI’s three-day inaugural ‘Focus on Qatar’ showcase which featured screenings of locally made films.
The Peninsula
