Still from Qatari filmmaker AJ Al Thani's movie Kashta
Doha: Some 20 films, supported by the Doha Film Institute, are taking the spotlight at the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) to be held from December 7 to 14, 2016.
In one of the largest participations of Qatar-backed projects, 15 films supported by the Doha Film Institute will be screened at the 13th DIFF, several of them also nurtured at Qumra, the dedicated industry event where the filmmakers had the opportunity to discuss diverse aspects of the film with industry veterans. A number of these films are competing for DIFF’s Muhr Awards, while two films are showcased in both the Cinema of the World and Arabian Nights segments.
Additionally, three films that are recipients of the Institute’s grants are being showcased in Dubai Film Connection, the co-production market of DIFF.
Further, Hafiz Ali Ali, a Qatari producer-director, has been nominated for the prestigious IWC Filmmaker Award 2016 of the festival for his project, The Search for the Star Pearl, a feature animation that received the Institute’s grant for development and was nurtured by industry experts at Qumra earlier this year. Ali will compete alongside Emirati nominees and filmmakers Nujoom Alghanem and Abdullah Hassan Ahmed for the $100,000 award.
An eminent jury of experts will evaluate the potential of the three projects and choose the winner.
Adding to the pride of Qatar, Smicha (Qatar / 2016), a short narrative produced by Innovation Films, written and directed by Amal Al Muftah, will mark its world premiere at DIFF.
The film received in-house development support from the Doha Film Institute, and will compete in the Muhr Gulf Short segment.
“We are exceptionally proud of the firm imprint that Qatar will make this year at DIFF. In addition to 15 films supported by us being chosen for screening in different programmes, we are also delighted with many Qatari talents, nurtured by the Institute, underlining their credentials at the international festival,” said Fatma Al Remaihi, Chief Executive Officer , DFI.
Among the 15 films to be screened at DIFF that were supported by the Doha Film Institute, six are marking their world premiere. Six feature narratives will mark their MENA premiere at DIFF.
Two films mark their Middle East debut at DIFF in the Muhr Feature and Arabian Nights segments.
