Filmmakers in Qatar, citizens and residents, participating in the Qumra Film Forum 2023, stressed the importance of the forum in supporting the development of their careers and moving to higher levels in this vital sector.
In this edition, 13 projects from Qatar will participate in the Qumra Forum, including long and short films, including 7 films by Qatari citizens. More than 200 cinema specialists, including the five Qumra film experts, are working to support the march of these people, from the script to the presentation. Movies on screen, through meetings, workshops and seminars.
In press interviews on the sidelines of their participation in the forum, the promising directors emphasized Qumra’s pioneering role in providing the necessary opportunities to communicate with film experts and specialists, and in expanding their horizons and capabilities to present exceptional projects that participate and shine in international festivals and forums, and establish a rich cinematic industry in Qatar. Regarding the significance of their cartoon series “Agate: Virtual Momentum”, and the reason for resorting to animation instead of real-life characters, director Muhammad Al-Suwaidi and screenwriter Kamam Al-Maadeed told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the series is distinguished by its idea, and it is a different project in terms of content, as the film won the award. Support from the Qatari Film Fund, and it revolves around superheroes in a city immersed in social media and technology, where we follow the story of (Aqeeq) when his grandfather is subjected to a fierce attack, and the boy discovers that he is the first of a new generation of superheroes called the "guards".
Al-Suwaidi noted that the most prominent challenges in the film are the superhero characters, because it is difficult to find this type in our Arab and Gulf society because they differ from the global superhero characters in terms of shape, appearance and dress, as well as how these characters show a Gulf character, pointing out at the same time, that they They were able to create this character to relate to local personalities. Regarding her foray into the world of seventh art, especially since her interests and hobby are in writing novels, Al-Maadeed confirmed that she wanted to break into this field, especially since we live in an era "multimedia".
In turn, Duha Abdel Sattar, director of the film “Missing Links” (Qatar), spoke about this film, noting that "Making a movie is not easy, you have to sacrifice your personal life and your social life to focus on your project. The training we receive from the DFI is invaluable as it enables us to engage in rich creative discussions and, in return, give our energy, dedication and commitment to our projects.". As for Nadia Al-Khater, she indicated that her movie “Continuity” tells the story of a young woman who starts a new montage project, discovers that she is editing her own life, praising Qumra’s role in providing the opportunity to communicate with coaches and obtain their opinions.
Filmmaker Iman Mirghani is participating in the Qumra Forum for the third year, and in this edition she is working on her movie / Villa 187 / with a joint production (Sudan, Qatar), noting that the support from the Foundation opened the door for her on various aspects of cinematic work, including grants and communication with institutions and agencies. that help develop her career. Speaking about his film “The Palestinian” (Lebanon-Qatar), which is in the development phase within the main axis, director Obada Jarbi explained that the idea of the film centers around longing for Palestine, the land he did not see and does not carry any memories of it because he lives in another country, pointing out Until the idea of the film expanded during his participation in Qumra, where he discovered new ideas to be a comprehensive treatment and research into the secret of this identity.
As for the director, Mayar Hamdan, director of the movie / Legend of Mahmoud / (Qatar, Palestine), she indicated that her film explores the meaning of identity, and that you are Palestinian during your many movements, due to the inability of the Palestinians to return to their land, and she said: "The film is a message about instability and constant mobility, based on the idea of absurd art in an adaptation of an allegorical image of the myth of Sisyphus.". She focused on the importance of the Doha Film Institute in promoting films and publishing their stories and issues, for which it provided support, funding and all means of technical and logistical support for Palestinian films.
While Alessandra Al-Shanti shows in her movie “Memory” (Lebanon, Qatar) how a young woman collects her memories of Beirut, the city in which she was never able to live, and addresses in the film the experience of the Lebanese in exile, who have never lived in Lebanon and carry identity. After presenting similar films in recent years, Alessandra continued in this film her research into the identity of the Lebanese, their history, and their reality, and in this film she confronts herself, an idea in which she resembles many Lebanese citizens, and appears as an imagined identity to get to know herself better. Holy Feet (USA, Egypt, Qatar) by Karim Amara revolves around Iman, who lives in the Northeast of the United States and is forced to make a difficult decision to save her sick husband.
In exclusive statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA) about the motive that made them participate in the Qumra Forum, is it the financial or technical support or the follow-up and development of their projects? The young directors affirmed that the Qumra Forum allows them to meet with film experts who have accumulated a lot of experience. In this context, Karim Amara emphasized that the comments and opinions he hears at Qumra about how his film and script was developed contributed to the development of his idea. He said: "In addition to technical support, financing opportunities and production support help us strengthen our important relationships in this field. Although I live in the United States, my ties to Qumra and my colleagues are very strong".
For her part, Alessandra Al-Shanti said: "What the Doha Film Institute and Qumra Film Forum are doing is necessary and important for filmmakers all over the world, as well as for young talents who are given the necessary guidance, funding and assistance in the entire film-making process.". Al-Shanti focused on the importance of the support of the Doha Film Institute and Qumra for the film scene in Qatar and the various promising directors, noting that this support is what helped her to truly launch her career and continue the path of growth.
Nadia Al-Khater also pointed out that the Doha Film Institute provides a suitable cinematic environment to help directors present original content that reflects the identity of the region. She said about it: "We’re making our own movies, our own content, and writing our own stories now"Noting that the forum gives her the opportunity to learn about the latest technologies and developments in the world of filmmaking.
