DOHA: The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has launched a dedicated ‘Qatari Film Fund’ to support short and feature filmmaking by Qataris.
The new film development, production and post-production fund was announced by Fatma Al Remaihi, Acting DFI Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Ajyal Youth Film Festival, at the screening of the ‘Made in Qatar’ films at the second Ajyal Youth Film Festival yesterday.
The launch of the Qatari Film Fund will offer another avenue of support extended by the Institute for the growth of home-grown talent. The second Ajyal Youth Film Festival features one of the largest showcases to date of more than 20 films made by Qataris and residents in the ‘Made in Qatar’ section.
To be rolled out early next year, the Qatari Film Fund will develop up to four feature films and will develop and produce up to eight short films every year through two application sessions for Qatari directors and writers. At least one of the four feature films in development will be selected the following year for production support by the Qatari Film Fund through mentoring and financial support. Feature film treatments and screenplays at varying levels of progress will be eligible for development funds up to QR182,500 which include bespoke mentoring opportunities provided by the DFI.
Short films are eligible for a combined development and production budget of up to QR182,500 and will include mentorship, equipment and production support from the Institute. The DFI will work closely with the selected applicants through all stages of production to assist in the realisation of their films.
Al Remaihi said: “The Qatari Film Fund marks a new phase of support for Qatari filmmakers. In recent years, we have witnessed a welcome growth in the local industry in both the volume and quality of films we are seeing, evidenced by the high level of participation by Qatari talent in our Made in Qatar showcase at the Ajyal Youth Film Festival.”
“Through film, and in fact, all forms of culture and entertainment, we reflect ourselves. We reflect our human experience —our beliefs, custom, tradition, language and our culture. Nurturing the creative community of our own country is vital to accurately reflect our stories on screen — so that we can share them amongst ourselves and also with the rest of the world. It is with this in mind that we launch the Qatari Film Fund and I am confident that it will add another exciting dimension to the Qatari film industry.”
Currently, filmmakers are supported through the DFI Grants Programme, which provides development, production and post-production funding to filmmakers from Qatar, and first- and second-time filmmakers from around the world. The Institute also provides creative and logistical support for, and financial contributions to work by filmmakers from Qatar through its education programmes. The Peninsula
