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Qumra 2025 by Doha Film Institute to Nurture 18 Promising Projects from Qatar

admin — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 17:31:04 +0000

Features, shorts and series projects by Qatari and Qatar-based filmmakers underline continued growth of the country’s film ecosystem
9 projects are by Qatari nationals presenting compelling themes that span genres
The Qatari projects are among 49 projects from across the world participating in-person at Qumra 2025 from April 4 to 9 in Doha and online from April 12 to 14

Doha, Qatar; March 23, 2025: Doha Film Institute has announced a lineup of 18 projects by Qatari and Qatar-based filmmakers for the 11th edition of Qumra, underlining the remarkable continuing growth of the local film industry. The selection includes innovative narratives spanning features and shorts in various stages of development and production.

The annual talent incubator for Arab and international cinema, Qumra 2025 will be held in-person in Doha from April 4 to 9 and online from April 12 to 14. Qatari projects are among 49 diverse projects by emerging filmmakers from 23 countries at this year’s edition.

Qumra offers mentorship, skills development, and network-building opportunities to selected projects by first- and second-time filmmakers. Among the Qumra projects this year from Qatar, nine are by Qatari nationals who present compelling themes spanning multiple genres.

Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Chief Executive Officer of the Doha Film Institute, said: “The strong representation of local projects at Qumra 2025 is a testament to the passion, resilience, and creative strength of our storytellers. It signals the emergence of a truly vibrant film industry that is bold, authentic and ready to make its mark on the world. At DFI, we are honoured to have contributed to this creative movement, providing filmmakers with the support to bring their unique voices to the global stage.”

Qatar-based projects at Qumra 2025 includes:

Development – Feature Narrative:

Love 45 (Syria, France, Switzerland, Qatar) by Anas Khalaf is about an overweight Lebanese man who is caught in a destructive spiral, and how he finds the path back towards hope.

The Pearl (Working Title) (Qatar) by Noor Al-Nasr is about a tech-obsessed Qatari teen, feeling disconnected from his family, who travels back in time to an era before his beloved technology existed and pearl diving was the main source of income.

In Production – Feature Narrative

Sari & Amira (Qatar) by A.J. Al-Thani follows an outlaw Bedouin bandit couple who, while navigating the unforgiving sands of Wadi Sakheema, discover a mythical relic that holds the key to their survival but also awakens ancient forces that could destroy them and their world.

Work-in-progress– Feature Narrative

Cotton Queen (Sudan, Germany, France, Palestine, Egypt, Qatar) by Suzannah Mirghani is about Nafisa, who was raised on her grandmother’s stories of battling British colonisers as she sets out to save the cotton fields from a modern threat.

Work-in-progress- Feature Documentary or Essay

Jodari Meno (Qatar) by Dr. Jamal Rashid Al-Khanji is about Jamal, who embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to catch the largest dogtooth tuna, only to discover that what he was really after didn’t lie in the depth of the sea but deep inside him.

Development – TV or Web Series

Task Force: Apocalypse! (Palestine, Qatar) by Dana J. Altrach and Anne Sobel is about a hapless environmental task force that accidentally creates climate chaos across their tiny island country.

Development – Short Narratives

Ghafla (Lebanon, Qatar) by Tony El Ghazal is about a precise watchmaker who races against the clock to craft the perfect watch for his only daughter.

Gharbalah (Yemen, Qatar) by Afnan Tag is about longtime housekeeper Sita, who secretly searches through packed belongings to retrieve a treasured keepsake before it’s lost forever.

Inside the White Canvas (Qatar) by Amna Al-Binali is about Nora, who struggles to earn her father’s approval as her growing curiosity about the forbidden outside world threatens to unravel their fragile bond.

Rumor Has It (Qatar) by Mohammed D. Fakhro follows a Qatari food blogger who subscribes to an AI app that promises to earn him more followers.
Sad Boy: The Movie (Qatar) by N&LS follows a grief-stricken boy as he navigates his pain and haunting memories, embarking on an emotional journey towards healing and self-discovery.

Development – Short Documentary or Essay

Me Are You (Lebanon, Qatar) by Myriam Salloum explores how generational trauma seeps into various aspects of life, manifesting and festering across generations, leading to devastating effects.

Post-Production – Work-in-progress – Short Narratives

Abu Fanoos (Qatar, Morocco) by Amira Abujbara and Horia El Hadad is about an ageing grandfather who seeks to protect his grandson from an eerie presence in the dark.

Light to Ashes (Qatar) by Nadia Al-Khater is about a warrior-poet who is thrust into his past, where he must reckon with the inescapable pull of fate.

Qadha’ w Qadar (Qatar) by Maryam Al-Mohammed is about a young woman who defies societal shame and her mother’s disapproval to seek a divorce and finally claim her freedom and independence.

Post-Production – Work-in-progress – Short Documentary or Essay

Bel Falastini (Jordan, Qatar) by Obada Jarbi is about a man searching for a home for himself and his family, navigating the complexities of identity, belonging, and the refugee experience.
‘The Sounds of Silence’ (Colombia, USA, Qatar) by Sebastian Delascasas, a return to Doha after five years forces a confrontation with memory, language, and loss as a son grapples with his mother’s illness and the shifting meaning of home.

Post-Production – Picture Lock – Short Documentary or Essay

Villa 187 (Sudan, Qatar) by Eiman Mirghani documents her family’s house—and the memories that made it a home—for over 30 years.

The talents will attend masterclasses and mentorship sessions by this year’s Qumra Masters Lav Diaz, Darius Khondji, Walter Salles, Anna Terrazas and Johnnie To. Over 200 industry experts will also advise projects on storytelling, filmmaking, directing, editing, cinematography and sound, focusing on the specific needs of each project. The public can access the full Qumra experience of Qumra Master Classes and Qumra Screenings with the Qumra Pass. Audiences can also enjoy the remarkable selection of Doha Film Institute supported feature-length films from the region and around the world by purchasing individual tickets. For more information about Qumra 2025 and to purchase passes for screenings and master classes, please visit: www.dohafilminstitute.com

The post Qumra 2025 by Doha Film Institute to Nurture 18 Promising Projects from Qatar appeared first on Business Leaders ME | Qatar & Middle East Business News Magazine.

Doha Film Institute Announces Visionaries Lav Diaz, Darius Khondji, Walter Salles, Anna Terrazas and Johnnie To as 2025 Qumra Masters

admin — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 08:40:04 +0000

A pioneer of slow cinema, Filipino filmmaker Lav Diaz is widely celebrated for his profoundly meditative and unflinching exploration of the human condition
Iranian-French legendary cinematographer Darius Khondji’s aesthetic is marked by his profound understanding of light’s emotional power.
Brazilian filmmaker Walter Salles has created some of the most celebrated and internationally acclaimed works in cinema
Award-winning Mexican costume designer Anna Terrazas blends cultural preservation and creative innovation through her craft
Celebrated genre-defying Hong Kong filmmaker Johnnie To boasts a remarkable storytelling legacy of over four decades

Doha, Qatar; 25 February 2025: Doha Film Institute has announced the five renowned global film luminaries who will be the Qumra Masters of its eleventh annual industry event, set to run from April 4-9, 2025.

A groundbreaking talent incubator in the Arab world that drives the success of first and second-time filmmakers from the region and beyond, Qumra connects emerging filmmakers with celebrated cinematic masters and provides invaluable industry networking and collaboration opportunities.

With a wealth of diverse perspectives from across the global film community, Qumra Masters provide participants with one-on-one mentorship to equip filmmakers with essential tools to hone their craft and refine their projects to realise their artistic visions.

Doha Film Institute will welcome this year’s Qumra Masters Lav Diaz, Darius Khondji, Walter Salles, Anna Terrazas and Johnnie To to share the visionary perspectives they have gained throughout their luminous careers and inspire the next wave of creators who will shape the trajectory of cinema.

Slow cinema pioneer filmmaker Lav Diaz (The Woman Who Left, Evolution of a Filipino Family) is renowned for his profound explorations of the human condition and the struggles of his homeland in his signature black-and-white frames; Darius Khondji’s (Amour, The Immigrant) innate ability to blend light, shadow, and composition has firmly established him as one of contemporary cinema’s most revered visual storytellers.; Walter Salles (The Motorcycle Diaries; I’m Still Here) is one of filmmaking’s most compelling storytellers who often explores themes of displacement, memory, and identity with his signature sense of humanity; Anna Terrazas (Roma, Spectre) blends cultural authenticity and creative innovation by working with local artisans and top filmmakers, and stands out as one of the most dynamic costume designers of her generation; and celebrated genre-defying filmmaker Johnnie To (Exiled, Election) is a master of gripping narratives in his collaborative approach to deep explorations of loyalty, fate, and morality.

Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Chief Executive Officer of the Doha Film Institute, stated: “We are truly honoured to welcome some of the world’s most celebrated creatives Lav Diaz, Darius Khondji, Walter Salles, Anna Terrazas and Johnnie To as Qumra Masters, joining the legacy of iconic storytellers who have supported us on our mission to empower important voices in film. Their artistry, innovation, and commitment to storytelling have left an indelible mark on world cinema. By sharing their knowledge and experience with our Qumra participants, they will inspire a new generation to refine their craft, and tell bold enduring stories that will shape the future of cinema.”

Elia Suleiman, Artistic Advisor at Doha Film Institute, said “Cinema is not just the stories we tell, but the silences in between—the spaces where meaning lingers. At Qumra, these silences resonate loudly, where emerging voices are amplified by the wisdom of the Qumra Masters. It is a place of transformation, where the future of film is not dictated, but discovered.”

Over the past decade, Qumra has cemented its position as a cornerstone of the global filmmaking industry, supporting important independent voices in cinema and providing groundbreaking opportunities for participants to elevate their craft and creative process.

In the 11th edition of Qumra, Masterclasses for up and coming filmmakers from the region and around the world will provide unparalleled creative development and mentorship opportunities. Participants also receive mentorship from and key business meetings with leading global film industry experts. Additional programme and guest details will be announced soon.

2025 Qumra Masters:

Lavrente Indico Diaz aka Lav Diaz is widely celebrated for his profound portrayals of the human condition and historical struggles of his homeland. A pioneer of slow cinema, as writer, director, producer, editor, cinematographer, production designer, actor, and composer, his unflinching portrayal of sociopolitical issues challenge conventional cinematic norms. Diaz delves into grief, survival, resistance, and social injustice through meditative masterpieces—from the nearly 11-hour magnum opus ‘Evolution of a Filipino Family’ (2004) and ‘Norte, the End of History’ (2013) selected in Cannes Un Certain Regard to his Venice Golden Lion-winner ‘The Woman Who Left’ (2016), the “ideological father of the New Philippine Cinema” has inspired an entire generation of filmmakers to embrace bold, uncompromising approaches to storytelling.

With a career spanning over four decades, Darius Khondji’s work is celebrated for its versatility, innovation, and profound emotional resonance. He earned his first César Award nomination for his breakthrough film ‘Delicatessen’ (1991) by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro. Khondji has worked on Michael Haneke’s Academy-Award-winning ‘Amour’ (2012), James Gray’s ‘The Immigrant’ (2013) and ‘The Lost City of Z’ (2016), David Fincher’s ‘Se7en’ (1995) and ‘Panic Room’ (2002) and Bong Joon Ho’s ‘Okja’ (2017). His work on Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s ‘Bardo: False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths’ (2022) earned him an Academy Award nomination, an ASC nomination, and a Silver Frog at Camerimage. Khondji’s accolades to date include two Academy Award nominations, a BAFTA nomination and multiple César Award nominations along with receiving the prestigious Pierre Angénieux Tribute at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022.

Director and documentarian Walter Salles brings an instinctive eye for capturing human resilience on film. Salles gained global recognition with a Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA and two Oscar nominations for ‘Central Station’ (1998), and over 30 international awards including seven BAFTA nominations and two wins for his biopic feature, ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ (2004). His recent ‘I’m Still Here’ (2024) earned three Oscar nominations, Best Screenplay award at the Venice Film Festival and the Golden Globe for Best Actress for Fernanda Torres. Salles has also been recognised with the Robert Bresson Prize at the Venice Film Festival (2009) and the Marcus Aurelius Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Rome Film Festival (2014).

Anna Terrazas is an award-winning costume designer who skilfully blends cultural preservation and creative innovation. With an impressive career spanning across film, television and theatre, Terrazas’ aesthetic was inspired by her painter father and textile-loving mother. From her beginnings in fashion design and theatre to transitioning to film with Gael García Bernal’s ‘Déficit’ (2007), she continues to work with some of the most influential storytellers of our time such as Sam Mendes on the James Bond film ‘Spectre’ (2015) and Alfonso Cuarón’s Academy Award-winning ‘Roma’ (2018). Known for her skill in blending authenticity with imagination, she earned an Ariel Award for Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s ‘Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths’ (2022). With her versatility extending to television shows including HBO’s ‘The Deuce’ and Apple TV’s ‘Hello Tomorrow!’, Terrazas stands out as one of the most dynamic costume designers of her generation.

Filmmaker Johnnie To Kei-Fung is renowned for his masterful, genre-defying storytelling and a distinctive ability to weave emotional complexity into gripping narratives, with a legacy spanning over four decades and 50 films. His co-founded production house Milkyway Image has created innovative and iconic works such as ‘The Mission’ (1999), ‘Election’ (2005), and ‘Exiled’ (2006). To earned Palme d’Or nominations at Cannes for ‘Vengeance’ (2009) and ‘Election’ (2005); Golden Lion nominations at Venice for ‘Life Without Principle’ (2011), ‘Mad Detective’ (2007), and ‘Exiled’ (2006); and a Golden Bear nomination at Berlin for ‘Sparrow’ (2008). His extraordinary contributions to cinema have been celebrated with lifetime achievement awards from Locarno and Sitges film festivals. A master of gripping narratives, a collaborative approach, and deep explorations of loyalty, fate, and morality, he champions emerging talent as a mentor through the Fresh Wave Short Film Competition.

Qumra has established itself as an influential force in the film industry in its ongoing mission to champion independent voices from across the world and uplift storytelling through mentorship, feedback panels, screenings, and more. Open to the public this year will be Qumra Master Classes, featuring inspirational insights from industry professionals, and Qumra Screenings, a curated selection of regional and international films supported by Doha Film Institute through training, and funding initiatives.

The post Doha Film Institute Announces Visionaries Lav Diaz, Darius Khondji, Walter Salles, Anna Terrazas and Johnnie To as 2025 Qumra Masters appeared first on Business Leaders ME | Qatar & Middle East Business News Magazine.