HIGHLIGHTS DAY TWO: FREE SCREENINGS
Dec 02, 2014
Ajyal Day 2 is packed with all kinds of great screenings and events.
Did you know that lots of Ajyal screenings are free? Here’s a list:
Let’s start with the screenings.
SONY Pop-Up Cinema (PG-13) – Nothing beats watching movies under the stars. Tonight we officially open the SONY Pop-Up Theatre on the Katara Esplanade. Every night, you will be able to watch a chapter of one (or should we say two) of the most beloved sagas of all time: Peter Jackson’s adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’. The trek across Middle Earth starts with the first installment of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy. All SONY Open-Air cinema screenings are free – and you don’t need a ticket – but seating is limited so please come early.
2 December: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
3 December: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
4 December: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
5 December: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
6 December: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Three inspiring documentaries whose common thread is the importance of education for children all over the world are gathered together for a special screening called BraveHearts (PG-13). Faridullah’s Day Off is the hearbreaking tale of a nine-year-old boy in Afghanistan who spends his days working in a brick factory and dreams of going to school some day; Fire in Our Hearts documents the story of the first generation of literate girls in an Indian tribe previously subject to indentured slavery; and Poet Against Prejudice shows the courage and strength of a Yemeni teenager who suffered racism and prejudice in the USA and uses this hatred as an inspiration for her poetry. One screening only – 6 December – admission is free, but please reserve a ticket in advance for guaranteed seating.
The Tale of Princess Kaguya (PG-13) – If you love Japanese anime, this film is a must-see! From acclaimed director Isao Takahata (who co-founded the legendary Studio Ghibli with Hayao Miyazaki) comes the wonderful story of a baby girl with magical powers found in the folds of a bamboo shoot and destined to become a princess. One screening only – 6 December. This screening technically is not for free, but it’s free entry for the first 70 people who show up in anime costume!
If you love short films – and you should, because some of this year’s selections are out-of-this-world phenomenal – be sure to put these free screenings in your calendar:
Made In Qatar (PG-13) – Come and celebrate homegrown talent with these two programmes of short films. Please reserve your free ticket in advance for admission.
4 December: Made in Qatar Programme 1
5 December: Made in Qatar Programme 2
Bariq Short Film Programme (G) – A wonderful collection of shorts for children from the age of 4, sure to please the whole family. They also represent some of the best animated films produced worldwide in the last two years. Screening on 5 December. Please reserve your free ticket in advance for admission.
Bader Short Films Programme (PG-15) – Divided into two programmes, these short films are a wonderful collection of smart, witty and thought-provoking work. Please reserve your free ticket in advance for admission.
5 December: Bader Short Films 1
6 December: Bader Short Films 2
And then there are the free events? Where should we start?
Sandbox – By popular demand, our interactive space full of the latest and most technologically advanced digital gadgets is back and ready to surprise you with all sorts of futuristic installations and incredible activities! Sandbox is open 2 to 6 December so make sure to stop by to unleash your inner child!
Ajyal Family Weekend – On 5 and 6 December, all sorts of delightful and creative activities for parents, children and people of all ages await! Families have the opportunity to play in the Ajyal Game Centre, experience how a TV network operates, and even star in their own films in the Ajyal Studio. To top it off, live performances by local youth and international talent take place on the Ajyal Stage.
In Conversation with Roger Allers – Ajyal gives you the chance to meet one of the world’s greatest animation film directors and screenwriters. Best known for Disney’s magnificent classic ‘The Lion King’, Academy Award-nominated director Roger Allers, whose most recent film, ‘Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet’, closes the Festival, will discuss the secrets of the beautiful art of animation with fellow animator Mohammed Saeed Harib, creator of the Gulf television phenomenon ‘Freej’ and a contributor to ‘Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet’. The event takes place on 5 December. Please reserve your free ticket in advance for admission.