Ajyal sets stage for budding filmmakers

DOHA: Doha Film Institute’s (DFI) first edition of the Ajyal Film Festival for the young is seen by upcoming filmmakers as the correct platform introduced at a right time to develop the industry in the country. 
The five-day film festival, concluded yesterday, is set to be an annual celebration with year-round activities that enrich film appreciation. Ajyal opens up a collaborating environment where the young can express their views on various issues they face today, say young filmmakers. 
“We had to start from a point to develop our own industry and enhance talent, and Doha Film Institute has found the correct time and correct people as youth to begin it,” Amal Al Muftah, a Qatari student filmmaker, told The Peninsula. 
“Aim of the festival is to encourage young people to take on the challenges of the future, so they can become artistes and professionals in future,” Amal said. 
Amal, a student at Qatar Academy, started learning and making films from school and joined the DFI’s workshops and learnt to understand cine-photography, script writing and direction. 
“The Ajyal Film Festival is not just about screening films, but the Doha Film Institute’s different workshops help to learn filmmaking without going to a film school,” said Amal.
She has also completed the ‘Seven day Filmmaking Challenge,’ which teaches the process of creating short films, from concept through to execution. Amal’s short film Al Kora, on a girl’s desire to play football, was screened in ‘Made in Qatar’ segment at the film festival. 
Made in Qatar section is a segment open to documentary and narrative films for or about youth. The section showcases films that have been shot in Qatar, or made by individuals of any nationality who reside in Qatar.
Dana Al Natsheh, a young Jordanian filmmaker who has is resident in Qatar through her life, is a graduate of the Jordan University. Her film Sweet Violence, on domestic violence, was screened in the ‘Made in Qatar’ segment. She too has learnt filmmaking at DFI.
“It was a learning journey. I learned the basics of filmmaking with script writing and directing,” said Dana. “When we make a film, the next question is how to reach the audience. Ajyal was our platform to showcase talent,” she added. 
Film education and appreciation are seen as central to engaging young people in cinema at the film festival. The Doha Film Experience, including its programmes for jurors and prizes for filmmakers, and ‘Made in Qatar’ sections are aimed at giving an opportunity for the younger audiences to be involved in film and filmmaking at the new festival. 
“We never had something for children and youth; this is a good beginning to develop a film industry and film culture in the country. We don’t have a big film industry in the Arab world. So Ajyal is the correct beginning as it aims at young people who could take the lead,” said Dana. 
The Doha Film Experience’s important role was to give several young people the opportunity to sit on the juries that decide the winners of Ajyal’s competition.
“The film festival is not just an event to screen and talk about films, but it’s a whole experience. It teaches young people to make films, learn about it and even judge films by introducing a young jury,” said Dana.
The Peninsula