DOHA: The first Ajyal Youth Film Festival, organised by Doha film Institute (DFI), will feature a two-day Industry Forum to shed light on the importance and influence of the media and its impact on younger audiences.
Held under the theme ‘Our Children First!’, the forum on November 27-28 aims at highlighting every facet of media through a hands-on approach by spotlighting the spoken word, rhythm, song, poetry and technology, in sessions by experts from the regional and international film industry.
Fatma Al Remaihi, Festival Director, said: “It’s very important that our young and aspiring filmmakers not only learn about the process of filmmaking, but also understand how the media can play a big part in influencing a film or project.”
The forum, she said, will provide an interactive platform to discuss matters related to the creation of original content for young audiences; from the likes of social media helping grow and build support, right through to understanding how local productions create quality programmes.
On November 27, the forum with begin under the theme ‘Mossowa — Equality’ with global presentations on new media; social media; production; animation; policy, research, regulation and distribution. The sessions will also shed light on the importance of media literacy, reach and influence.
‘Getting Social with media; let the games begin,’ is a panel discussion on social media and gaming. It will highlight the latest trends in media, and look at how new media can play a vital role in elevating a product, content, or communication.
The ‘Production Forum,’ hosted by international speakers will show how local content in their countries have captured audiences from Bollywood to Hollywood.
The second day of the Industry Forum will begin with a discussion on local productions and what is needed to produce quality local programmes for children.
The next session is on animation, and creators of quality animation for young people. The session will try to answer: ‘Do animated films need the voice of a star?’
Other topics include policy, research, and regulation where panellists will discuss filmmaking policies in the Middle East and North Africa, in addition to an in-depth understanding of film festivals, and their role in creating opportunities for distribution, marketing and financing.
The festival has organised pre-industry workshops in association with Childhood Cultural Centre to explain the concept and importance of focus groups in film.
The workshops included the screening of the animation film The Hero and the Message by Al Rayyan Productions. Participants took part in a competition to design banners for the Industry Forum. The Peninsula
