Over 200 experts and filmmakers attend 10th edition of Qumra
QNA
Doha: The tenth annual edition of Qumra, the Doha Film Institutes talent incubator event for Arab and international cinema, commenced on Friday with film auteurs and international industry experts gathering to nurture emerging voices in cinema through exclusive mentorship sessions, in-depth workshops, along with a screening series of exceptional films that have made decisive impact on audiences.
Welcoming over 200 industry experts and the talents associated with over 40 Qumra projects, Chief Executive Officer of Doha Film Institute Fatma Hassan Al Remaihi said: “Qumra is an extension of the Institute’s commitment to support promising filmmakers to overcome the various challenges of telling authentic stories. While we celebrate the progress that we have made in nurturing new voices in cinema, we are also confronted with the genocide in Gaza and the ongoing attempts to silence the voices crying out against it. This cultural genocide is a profound reminder of our responsibility as a global community to ensure that all voices are heard, and all lives are treated with dignity and respect.”
She added: “While the situation continues to worsen in Palestine and countries throughout the region including Yemen, Lebanon, Sudan, and Syria, providing a platform to acknowledge the courage and resilience of those fighting against oppression becomes even more important. The Doha Film Institute has always been and will remain dedicated to realizing important stories and amplifying unheard voices that connect us in our shared humanity.”
As part of its mission to accelerate the success of filmmakers from the region and beyond, Qumra 2024 will offer networking and development opportunities for more than 40 projects from emerging filmmakers from over 20 countries. The Qumra projects this year include 13 feature narratives, 11 documentaries, 11 shorts, and 7 web/TV series in various stages of production. Among the projects, 11 are helmed by Qatari or Qatar-based directors, including seven by nationals.
Among the selected projects, 32 are recipients of Doha Film Institute’s Grants program, and three are supported through the Qatari Film Fund.
All selected projects will receive tailored creative mentorship on all areas related to filmmaking including scripting, directing, editing, cinematography and sound, among others.
They will also receive advice on financing and co-production strategy, and marketing & packaging.
The talents associated with the projects will participate in intensive mentoring sessions until March 6 in Doha and then take part in online sessions from March 9 to 11.
