Qatari First-Time Film-Makers in Spotlight at Ajyal Youth Festival

Doha, November 28 (QNA) - Young short film-makers from Qatar debuting at the Doha Film Institute's (DFI) maiden Ajyal Youth Film Festival have caught the attention of jurors, academia, media, cinema experts, local and international audiences attending the screenings of their work at Katara Drama Theatre here. Seven films screened under 'Made in Qatar' section that are rated 'open to general audience', are showcasing the creative potential of local youth aspiring to further their prospects in short films and documentaries as actors, directors, writers, editors and cinematographers. DFI selected the short films - Al Koora, My Hero, One in Five, Razfa, Sonder, Sweet Violence and Tooth Fairy - for screening at the five-day Ajyal Fest after a novel competition of making a film in 48 hours. Several Qataris seeking a place in the spotlights of cinema participated in DFI's third edition of 48-Hour Family Film Challenge contest that stipulated the use of a surprise prop and catchpharse. Ajyal Festival is screening the short films that won this competition. One of the winners, 18-year-old Amal Al Muftah, typifies the dreams and determination of young Qatari to succeed in making good films. She wrote the script, directed and edited Al Koora (Football), a story of a boy and his sister who search for a lost football in a Qatar village. Amal did not win a place in Ajyal Fest by chance. Earlier this year, her film Split Second submitted through Qatar Academy, figured in the winners list of the 'Best Picture', 'Best Sound', 'Best Story' and 'Best National Award' at the The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) Qatar Northwestern Film Festival. Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Amal said, "I made the film Split Second in three weeks. It is an informative documentary rather than a narrative. It highlights car accidents in Qatar and how they affect families and friends." On how she funded her documentary, she said, "My school gave me the equipment and since its interview-based documentary there was not much expenditure although I did enact accident scenes." The young director who plans to take up full-time course in cinema and likes to watch action films said, "I like Bond films and spy thrillers like the Jason Bourne series and independent film-makers from India, not Bollywood." Another Qatari Mohammed Nairooz, the Director of Photography for Al Koora, also seeks to progress further in films. The 29-year-old has done cinematography for ten films including Live for the Ones you Love and Bacher Al Eid (Tomorrow is Eid). Regarding his experience and approach to film-making Nairooz said, "As a cinematographer I capture my vision as well as Amal because she is the writer and director of the film. I took many shots, but ultimately she selected what delivered best her story." On how he entered film-making, he said, "I'm actually a fashion photographer. Film-making came as a side interest. I have done some films before this one (Al Koora). However, this is the first time I have actually submitted my work as a cinematographer to a film festival." Senior participants at Ajyal Festival welcomed and encouraged the young generation's attempt to take further steps into the world of cinema to express their ideas and viewpoints. Chairperson at Children and Broadcasting Foundation For Africa Firdoze Bulbulia who managed Ajyal's presentation on the industry forum brought together international experts present their view and experiences on what is happening in children's media and programming globally. "After the Arab Spring there was much interest in the youth media. This part of the world recognized that this part of the world have a voice in Africa we say 'Children should be seen and not heard', but we really need to hear their voices as you are producing content for them." Other experts attending Ajyal too echoed similar opinion that young people's voices and creativity should be heard and encouraged. Tomorrow Made in Qatar section will feature a screening of "The Hero and the Message," a production of Al Rayyan TV, which tells the story of a pair of time-traveling Qatari siblings. (QNA)