CEO of the Doha Film Institute: Qumra is a pioneering platform for building sustainable relationships between filmmakers

Fatima Hassan Alremaihi, CEO of the Doha Film Institute, stressed the importance of the Qumra Film Forum to build long-term relationships between emerging filmmakers, experts and professionals, as well as to promote the diversity of new cinematic voices in Qatar, the region and the world. During a press interview on the closing day of the ninth edition of the forum, she noted that the local and Arab aspect of cinema is a major and essential element of the Qumra Forum and the Doha Film Institute. She said: "Our first and most important goal is to support the film industry in Qatar and build a vibrant, productive and sustainable sector. Qumra Forum provided a space for emerging cinematic talents to express their creative ideas and transform them into influential cinematic works.". And she continued: "We continue our great interest in Arab cinema as well, and our relationship extends beyond Qumra, as our goals include building relationships, caring for filmmakers and developing this dynamic environment, promoting diversity as much as possible, and providing the necessary knowledge to participants in various aspects of this industry.". Grants and funding initiatives at the Doha Film Institute, in addition to support initiatives throughout the year, contributed to providing the cinematic sector with ways to develop and pushing the work of new filmmakers to advanced stages in the various stages of production. Al-Romaihi pointed out that Qumra is an example of the support provided by the Doha Film Institute throughout the year, saying in this regard: "Many filmmakers return to participate in Qumra as trainers, while international professionals in the sector continue to provide support and guidance to emerging cinematic talents, and through the grant program for projects at various stages, we contribute strongly to revitalizing the cinematic movement". Regarding the new Qumra forum this year, and the return of its organization in person after it was limited to the organization (remotely) due to the Corona virus pandemic, and the objectives governing it, Mrs. Fatima Hassan Al-Rumaihi, CEO of the Doha Film Institute, said in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA): This version of Qumra provided an opportunity for some of the works that were launched in the previous edition, which we did remotely due to the pandemic conditions, to be shown for the first time on the ground, such as serials, as experts, writers and directors in this type of work were able to share their experiences with filmmakers, and the interaction was distinguished and beneficial. Very large, noting that one of Qumra’s main goals is to link these projects to various cinema-related entities, whether festivals, support funds, or various television and electronic platforms, as well as sales and distribution agents. Al-Romaihi highlighted that the Doha Film Institute gives filmmakers complete freedom in the way they present their topics, and said in this regard: "We, as an institution, do not interfere in the subject or in the way of presenting it, as the field is open for everyone to discuss any issue and give his point of view, and this is what attracts directors to participate again with the institution year after year because we provide them with the space to freely express their opinions and issues that affect us all to convey to the Arab and international community. In their own way and with their own touch". This year, more than 200 film experts and specialists in various aspects of the film industry, from more than 41 countries, are participating in Qumra, supervising 44 feature films, documentaries, short films and series. The projects were selected from among 23 countries, reflecting Qumra’s message of supporting the journey of promising filmmakers from around the world. Qumra participants will continue their online sessions with trainers and mentors from March 19 to 21.