Doha: Strengthening commitment to international film production, Doha Film Institute (DFI) has announced its latest co-financing partnership on Hany Abu-Assad’s The Idol (Ya Tayr El Tayr).
The movie, directed by Academy Award-nominated Palestinian filmmaker (Paradise Now, Omar), will have its world premiere at next month’s Toronto International Film Festival, as part of Special Presentations, which will showcase high-profile premieres and leading filmmakers.
The film tells the inspirational true story of Mohammad Assaf, a wedding singer from Gaza, who became a worldwide sensation after winning the live-singing competition Arab Idol in 2013.
Fatma Al Remaihi, CEO, DFI, said: “Abu-Assad is one of the most significant filmmakers from the Arab world and we are honoured to be partners on The Idol.
“Assaf’s story, struggles he had to overcome and his love for and commitment to his family and community in Gaza had a powerful impact on us.
“In the hands of a filmmaker like Abu-Assad, the story will continue to resonate with people all over the world. We are looking forward to sharing the film with audiences in Toronto.”
DFI has been involved with The Idol from production and this week, two Qatari filmmakers have participated in a post-production internship, working alongside Abu-Assad during the final edit of the film in London.
The post-production interns are Yousef Al Moadhadi, editor and director whose short film 10% won the Made in Qatar Award at 2014 Ajyal Youth Film Festival; and Leena Al Musalmani, a Northwestern University in Qatar graduate whose first film Public Phone, screened as part of Made in Qatar section of Ajyal festival.
DFI’s Co-financing Coordinator and emerging filmmaker Meriem Mesraoua was in attendance to observe and learn from the experience.
Al Musalmani said: “This has been such a valuable experience for me to gain first-hand experience in a feature production. It was amazing to observe the dynamic of the crew and how they are working as a team towards one goal and supporting each other to achieve it.”
DFI’s participation in The Idol follows its recent co-financing role in Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, an animated feature film written and directed by Roger Allers (The Lion King) with ‘chapters’ from nine award-winning animators. Salma Hayek produced the film and is one of the voice cast. The film has been released in the US.
DFI’s co-financing division seeks to invest in projects that are culturally relevant and commercially viable, to strengthen Qatar’s film industry by facilitating opportunities for collaboration and development for Qatari filmmakers.
DFI also supports first- and second-time filmmakers from around the world and established filmmakers from the Middle East and North Africa region through grants and has funded over 220 films since 2010. National film talent is further supported by the Qatari Film Fund.
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