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Doha, Qatar; October 24, 2013: Combining education, indoor and outdoor film screenings, panels and workshops, the inaugural Ajyal Youth Film Festival, presented by the Doha Film Institute, has unveiled a rich roster of programming that is guaranteed to bring film enthusiasts of all ages, to one vibrant destination.

Scheduled to be held from November 26 to 30, 2013, at The Cultural Village Katara, the Ajyal Youth Film Festival will host an array of indoor and outdoor screenings, workshops, and industry events, creating an engaging atmosphere for learning and appreciating global cinema and supporting the region’s cinematic landscape.

Abdulaziz Al-Khater, Chief Executive Officer, Doha Film Institute, said: “We are very excited to unveil the format of our first Ajyal Youth Film Festival. Driven with the goal to inspire and create, Ajyal has been designed to empower the region’s youth and foster their creativity. We aim to encourage young talent and provide them with an opportunity to actively engage and participate in a fun and educational environment, and hope to inspire film enthusiasts of all ages in Qatar and the region.”

Fatma Al Remaihi, Festival Director, said: “Since its inception, the Doha Film Institute has worked to support the growth of the film industry in the region. Developing platforms that cater to our youth is an important component of this overall mission. We want to bring generations together to discover, enjoy and discuss cinema. Young people at Ajyal will have a platform to express their views, learn from each other and unite in a celebration of film and creativity.”

The central initiative of the Ajyal Youth Film Festival will be the Doha Film Experience, a programme that brings together hundreds of young jurors from around the world in an exchange of cultures and to forge international friendships; underlining the potential of film as a medium for positive change. Featuring three jury components, the Doha Film Experience will feature 32 short films and 10 documentaries and narratives, following which the young jurors will engage in workshops, and Q&A sessions with film talent. On the closing nights, the jurors will award films that they consider most outstanding.

A highlight in the screenings for the Ajyal Youth Film Festival is a tribute to anime with a showcase of six films dedicated to the timeless Japanese art. The screenings will be complemented by an array of community-wide activities including the ‘Otaku Exhibition,’ that celebrates the works of local and regional artists paying tribute to the anime culture.

Headlining the film showcase is the ‘Made in Qatar’ segment, a special programme of works by filmmakers who are Qatari nationals, or who call Qatar home, bringing aspiring and emerging filmmaking talent to the forefront.

Ajyal Youth Film Festival will also host a series of nine ‘Special Screenings,’ with films from Brazil, Canada, China, France, Korea, Mexico, Qatar, Spain, UK and the USA.

Film aficionados can attend the extensive industry programming that includes masterclasses for students of all ages; workshops for children, parents, teachers, and industry professionals; and panels aimed at enhancing film education and appreciation.

Boasting two days of back-to-back activities, Ajyal’s ‘Family Days’ on the 29th and 30th of November, have been designed to bring the entire family together. The free of charge events include the Ajyal Studio, where audiences can be part of the filmmaking experience; storytelling workshops, and performances from local youth and international talents amongst others.

Ajyal Youth Film Festival builds on the Doha Film Institute’s history of community-based programming. Ajyal invites generations to come together to discuss cinema through events that inspire creative interaction, opening up a fun, collaborative environment where young people can express themselves.

About the Doha Film Institute:
Doha Film Institute is an independent, not-for-profit cultural organisation established in 2010. It organically supports the growth of the local film community by enhancing industry knowledge, cultivating film appreciation and contributing to the development of sustainable creative industries in Qatar.

Doha Film Institute’s platforms include funding and production of local, regional and international films, educational programmes, film screenings, the Ajyal Youth Film Festival and the Qumra Doha Film Festival.

With culture, community, education and entertainment at its foundation, the Doha Film Institute serves as an all-encompassing film hub in Doha, as well as a resource for the region and the rest of the world.

Doha Film Institute is committed to supporting Qatar’s 2030 vision for the development of a knowledge-based economy.

Doha Film Institute
Twitter: @DohaFilm
Instagram: @DohaFilm
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DohaFilmInstitute

Ajyal Youth Film Festival
Twitter: @AjyalFilm
Instagram: @AjyalFilm
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ajyalfilm