Reflections on Film with Scott Curtis
In the inaugural episode of our Ajyal Show Season 2, we sit down with Professor Scott Curtis—film historian, educator, and thinker—whose academic journey has taken him from rural Oregon to the heart of Doha’s vibrant cultural scene.
Originally aspiring to a career in science, Scott discovered his passion for film through the analytical lens of theory and history, where he found new ways to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and uncover a deeper meaning. In this incredibly insightful conversation, he reflects on how teaching film is not just about facts—it’s about sharing enthusiasm, sparking curiosity, and learning through open dialogue with students.
Drawing connections between scientific inquiry and cinematic storytelling, Scott explores the importance of film literacy, historical context, and critical viewing in an age shaped by streaming algorithms. He introduces the metaphor of the filmmaker’s “pebble” and the scholar’s “ripples,” encouraging us to look beyond the screen and consider how films shape our culture, emotions, and collective experiences.
Whether you’re a filmmaker, cinephile, or curious listener, this episode is a thoughtful reminder of how cinema can be both an art form and an invitation to think deeply about the world around us.
To learn more about Doha Film Institute's initiatives, workshops and funding that help support Qatar’s filmmaking community, visit our website here.
More About Our Guest Scott Curtis
Scott Curtis is associate professor of Communication at Northwestern University in Qatar, where he teaches courses on film history, animation history, film theory, and film analysis. His research focuses on silent-era cinema, animation, and scientific film. He is the author of 'The Shape of Spectatorship: Art, Science, and Early Cinema in Germany' (Columbia University Press, 2015) and the editor of 'Animation' in the Behind the Silver Screen Series (Rutgers University Press, 2019). He has been with Northwestern University since 1998 and in Qatar since 2011.