Doha Film Institute Showcases Exciting Homegrown Talent in Made in Qatar Program at Ajyal 2024
Doha Film Institute (DFI) is showcasing an inspiring selection of stories by Qatar’s emerging film talents in the Made in Qatar programme at the 2024 Ajyal Film Festival. One of the most popular programs at Ajyal, Made in Qatar showcases films by Qatari and Qatar-based talents, and is a testament to the limitless potential of Qatar’s creative community. The selection includes five diverse films that underline the creative progress of the country’s flourishing film industry with two films created with support from the Ministry of Public Health of Qatar. The jury for this year’s Made in Qatar program is led by acclaimed Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri and includes Kenyan filmmaker Debra Aroko and Qatari director Amal Al Muftah. Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Chief Executive Officer of DFI and Festival Director, said: ” After a successful special screening of Made in Qatar films earlier this year, we are proud to screen five additional new films reflecting the diversity of our nation and the progress of our creative talent to prominence on the world stage. The program continues to be a cornerstone of Ajyal, providing a platform for homegrown voices to share their unique perspectives and innovative storytelling techniques. The selection is a strong representation of the vibrant creative ecosystem that the nation has fostered and a testament to the success of the Institute’s commitment to supporting filmmakers through every step of their creative journey.” The program includes I Lay for You to Sleep (Qatar/2024) by Ali Al Hajri, a contemplative experimental narrative that explores the emotional depths of loss and renewal through poetic imagery. As women prepare a body for burial, we follow Ali’s journey through memories and reflections, confronting the mysteries of life, death and rebirth. The film is also screening in the Bader Shorts Competition. Alkaline (Qatar/2024) by Paul Abraham and Abdulla Al-Hor highlights the complex interplay between personal choices, family expectations and how fear can shape relationships in profound ways. Presenting how a father’s health scare changes his life and creates a rift with his son, the film journeys through the conversations and self-reflection by the son to bridge the divide. The film, in Malayalam and English, was created with support from the Ministry of Public Health of Qatar. Breshna (Qatar/2024) by Obada Jarbi narrates the moving story of a survivor of a terrorist attack in Kabul who finds refuge in Qatar. The poignant short film captures her reflection on hope, resilience and the longing for peace as she comes to terms with loss and survival. Through her story, the film offers a deeply personal perspective on displacement and the strength needed to seek a new beginning amidst painful memories. Can You See Me? (Qatar/2024) by Dhoha Abdelsattar follows a lonely woman, Maryam, who is trapped in the cycle of a mundane life that spirals into emotional turmoil until she is forced to confront herself and the possibility of change. This evocative short is a reflective journey through the quiet struggles of inner turmoil, exploring resilience and self-discovery. Cochlea (Qatar/2024) by Karim Emara, supported by the Ministry of Public Health of Qatar, is about Rokia, a 50-year-old Arab woman who reunites with her twenty-year-old son, Youssef, after six months apart. During their reunion, Rokia insists on performing a ritual she has often imposed on him. Despite his resistance, Yousef begins to understand that his mother’s unusual way of expressing love and care runs deeper than simply wanting him to be clean. Ajyal 2024 features 66 thought-provoking films from 42 countries depicting themes that will resonate with and inspire audiences with stories of resilience, hope and community empowerment. The event will also have interactive discussions, inclusive screenings, film exhibition, Qatar’s largest pop-culture event – Geekend. Events will be held across key locations, including Katara, Sikkat Wadi Msheireb, Lusail and VOX Cinemas Doha Festival City. Tickets can be purchased online at https://my.dohafilminstitute.com/ajyal/films/
‘Voices from Palestine’ at Ajyal 2024 is a Compelling Tribute to Palestinian Resilience, Resistance and Hope
In a poignant tribute to the resilience, resistance and hope of the Palestinian people, Ajyal 2024, presented by Doha Film Institute (DFI), will present the next installment of its ‘Voices from Palestine’ programme featuring films by Palestinian filmmakers who courageously present the lived realities of their people. Standing in solidarity with Palestinians, the program is a depiction of Palestine in times of profound collective mourning and reflection. These important stories and perspectives that might otherwise remain unheard are a testament to the unbreakable spirit of the people. Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Chief Executive Officer of DFI and Festival Director, said: “At a critical moment in history when the voice of the powerless is distorted through propaganda and false narratives, it is more important than ever to amplify genuine voices from Palestine. These films are a call across the world for recognition, justice and empathy. We are creating a space to promote the values of empathy and compassion and believe these stories will resonate far and wide to inspire and ignite bonds of solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters. Their unimaginable suffering comes alive through films that convey powerful messages that no other medium can deliver with equal intensity and honesty.” One of the highlights of the programme is From Ground Zero (Palestine, France, Qatar, Jordan, UAE/2024), an anthology of 22 short films created by filmmakers from Gaza, curated by renowned Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi. Set against the backdrop of the 2023 attacks, each film, ranging from 3 to 6 minutes, offers a unique and personal lens into life in Gaza under siege. Providing an intimate and poignant portrayal of the human experience in a war-torn enclave, where survival, loss, and hope coexist in fragile balance, the film presents the perspectives of both seasoned and emerging filmmakers. Capturing raw emotions and everyday struggles of life under occupation, it gives voice to those whose stories are being silenced. The project stands as both a testament to the filmmakers’ perseverance and a reflection of the collective resilience of a people enduring unimaginable hardship, capturing moments of beauty, pain, and defiance. Janin Jenin (Palestine/2024) by Mohammad Bakri documents the director’s revisit of Jenin refugee camp, reflecting on the devastation caused by Israel’s 2023 military invasion. Building on the framework of his 2002 documentary ‘Jenin, Jenin’, this new film captures the ongoing struggle of the camp’s residents as they recount their experiences of destruction, loss, and resistance. While the film confronts difficult truths, it serves as an essential perspective on a conflict too often seen through a single lens. An Orange from Jaffa (Palestine, Poland, France/2024) by Mohammed Almughanni, documents the journey of a young Palestinian to cross an Israeli checkpoint with a temporary Polish identity card. After being turned down by other drivers, Farouk, a well-meaning taxi driver, offers him a ride. However, they soon encounter severe trouble when the checkpoint authorities discover Mohammed’s previous failed attempt to cross. The Deer’s Tooth (Palestine/2024) by Saif Hammash is set in Dheisheh refugee camp, where young Wisam struggles with grief and isolation following his younger brother’s death. When he finds his brother’s last milk tooth, memories resurface, reminding him of his promise to throw it into the sea—an unreachable place due to restrictions. Determined to keep his word, Wisam sets out on a dangerous journey that explores themes of love, loss, and resilience. The Poem We Sang (Canada, Palestine, Jordan/2024) by Annie Sakkab is an experimental documentary which meditates on love, longing, and the trauma of forced migration. Drawing on personal family history, the film explores the impact of displacement on generations through the lens of a poem sung by the director’s father and uncle about their childhood home in Palestine. With richly layered visuals and a deeply personal narrative, the film serves as a tribute to memory, heritage, and the resilience of the Palestinian spirit Undr (Palestine, Germany/2024) by Kamal Aljafari presents a striking visual narrative of the Palestinian landscape under occupation. Combining archival footage with aerial views, the film juxtaposes scenes of pastoral calm—farmers working, children playing—with violent intrusions of dynamite and destruction. With its haunting images, the film reflects on the enduring impact of surveillance, militarism, and colonialism in Palestine. The 2024 Ajyal features 66 thought-provoking films from 42 countries, including 18 features and 48 shorts, with 26 films by Arab filmmakers and 24 by women directors. The festival will be held across key locations in Doha, including Katara, Sikkat Wadi Msheireb, Lusail and VOX Cinemas Doha Festival City.
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