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• Special Bariq showcase to entertain fledgling film enthusiasts aged four and up
• Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra presents special cine-concert of the classic Peter and the Wolf

Doha, Qatar; 07 November 2019: The Doha Film Institute’s 7th Ajyal Film Festival will present a delightful slate of six films from across the world to fire the imagination and rouse the minds of children and the young at heart. The carefully curated selection truly celebrates how masterful directors skilfully utilise the marvel of cinema to inspire young minds.

A fixture in the annual Ajyal lineup, the Bariq section of whimsical family-friendly short films delight young and old while offering a unique cinematic experience to festival audiences, captivating budding imaginations and introducing the youngest members of the audience to tools for creative development for years to come.

Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer of DFI, said: “The heart of Ajyal is dedicated to nurturing our next generation of storytellers, leaders and dreamers through a collective experience of inspirational cinema from around the globe. When we dedicate a special selection of short films to our youngest film lovers each year, we feed their boundless fascination for the world they explore and learn about each day. We are delighted to witness many special first discoveries of the big screen along the magnificent journey through the wonders of cinema. It is never too early to plant the seeds of knowledge and stir up the imagination that will guide their development as insightful leaders of tomorrow.”

One of Ajyal’s most unique events will be a Cine-Concert featuring the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra accompaniment of the 1995 animated adaptation of the timeless tale of Peter and the Wolf (USA) by George Daugherty and Jean Flynn. The heart-warming family film has received numerous awards for inspiring the appreciation of classical music to young audiences around the world.

The Bariq Short Film Programme features:

• In Sloth (Germany/2018) by Julia Ocker, a laid-back sloth decides to buy an ice cream on a sunny day and is faced with a big problem when the refreshing treat melts faster than his leisurely pace allows.
• Kuap (Switzerland/2018) by Nils Hedinger teaches us that life is an adventure, not a race. An adorable tadpole is seemingly left behind in the rush to becoming a frog – only to discover that there is still so much left for him to discover in his pond.
• Miran Miošić’s White Crow (Croatia/2018) follows a brave baby crow that is ridiculed for being different until she helps her flock find a new home when pollution causes turbulent changes in their environment.
• Dreams are only one courageous leap away in Wings (France/2017) by Christoffer Andersen, a story about a boy, who dreams of being a pilot – and is faced with his fear of heights when his remote-controlled aeroplane gets stuck in a tree.
• Cat Lake City (Germany/2019) by Antje Heyn tells the story of a feline, whose lake-side dream vacation doesn’t go as planned when he is forced to protect his beach towel from the permanent residents of the lake.

Tickets for the 7th Ajyal Film Festival are available for purchase from today, November 3rd, at the Ajyal Main Box Office located in Katara Building 10; at the Ajyal Box Office at VOX Cinemas Doha Festival City for screenings taking place at VOX Cinemas; and from the Novo Cinemas Box Office for screenings at the Novo Cinemas Pearl. For Ticket purchase and up-to-date information on the Ajyal Film Festival, please visit www.dohafilminstitute.com/filmfestival.

Ajyal Film Festival 2019 Official Partners include: Katara Cultural Village – Cultural Partner; Qatar National Tourism Authority – Principal Partner; Novo Cinemas, Ooredoo – Strategic Partner and the St. Regis Doha – Signature Sponsor.