The inaugural Ajyal Youth Film Festival, presented by the Doha Film Institute, has unveiled its line-up of 65 films from 30 nations, and a rich roster of industry and community events, bringing the best of filmmaking to Qatar. Spread over five days, from November 26 to 30, 2013, The Cultural Village Katara will host the […]
The inaugural Ajyal Youth Film Festival, presented by the Doha Film Institute, has unveiled its line-up of 65 films from 30 nations, and a rich roster of industry and community events, bringing the best of filmmaking to Qatar.
Spread over five days, from November 26 to 30, 2013, The Cultural Village Katara will host the Doha Film Experience, Family Weekend, the Otaku Exhibition and The Sandbox, in addition to an enriching array of workshops and screenings.
Celebrating Anime:
Raising the curtains on the inaugural edition is the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Premiere of the critically acclaimed anime film, The Wind Rises (Japan, 2013), by renowned filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. The Wind Rises along with five anime classics will also serve as a tribute to the art and culture of the Japanese art form anime, followed widely by youth across the region.
The spectacular world of Anime will also take centrestage at the Ajyal Youth Film Festival, with the Otaku Exhibition. A number of galleries will showcase the works of various artists and social clubs at the event. The organiser and key curator of the exhibition, Abdulla Al-Mosallam and talented local artists Fatima Alnesf, Kholoud Al-Ali, and Abdulaziz Yousif will work with several cultural institutions and organisations including AnimeQtr and Qatar Japan Youth Association to bring the Otaku experience to life.
Another highlight of the exhibition will be the Otaku Cosplay Event (costume play) on November 29. Open to residents and visitors, the event will award participants across numerous categories including costumes for Best Male, Best Female, Best Group, and Open Category (open to all other costumes styles).
Several workshops will also be held including: The Making of a Comic Book; Qatari Japanese Traditional Games; Cosplay Costume Making; Cosplay Hair & Makeup; Origami Making; Introduction to Shogi; Anime History ; Qartoon; and Anime Stop Motion.
Diverse film showcase:
Headlining the film showcase is the Made in Qatar segment, a special programme of 11 films by Qatari nationals and those who call Qatar their home , bringing aspiring and emerging filmmaking talent to the forefront.
Featuring a diverse array of films from Brazil, Canada, France, Mexico, Palestine, Qatar, Spain, UK, and USA, the Special Screenings segment will present seven films to discerning audiences in
Qatar including the presentation of Pascal Plissons On the Way to School (France, Mexico, 2013) in collaboration with Education Above All Foundation.
Throughout 2013, the Doha Film Institute has partnered with the British Council and Qatar Museums Authority to present a monthly screening celebrating the power of classic and contemporary films from the British canon. To celebrate the close of this unforgettable programme, Ajyal 2013 presents a special screening of UK director Arthur Landons Side by Side (UK, 2012). Next year, Qatar celebrates its ongoing official relations with Brazil; to mark this handover, Ajyal also presents Brazilian director William Côgos short film Carioca Soul (Brazil, 2002).
