Filmmakers from Qatar value their experience with Qumra for a creative film industry – Al-Hiwar Al-Jazairia

Filmmakers in Qatar participating in the Qumra Film Forum 2023 unanimously agreed on the importance of the forum in supporting the development of their careers, which helps them move to higher levels in this vital sector.
During press interviews on the sidelines of their participation in the event, the young directors emphasized Qumra’s pioneering role in providing the necessary opportunities to communicate with film experts and specialists, and in expanding their horizons and capabilities to present exceptional projects that participate and shine in international festivals and forums, and establish a rich cinematic industry in Qatar.
In this regard, director Mohamed Al-Suwaidi said, in his talk about his series “Al-Aqiq: Virtual Momentum,” that the series is distinguished by its idea, and it is a different project in terms of content. It revolves around superheroes in a city immersed in social media and technology.
Al-Suwaidi also pointed out that the most prominent challenges in the film were the superhero characters, because it is difficult to find this type in our Arab and Gulf society, as it differs from the global superhero characters in terms of shape, appearance and dress. “The challenge was how to show these characters with a Gulf character, and we were able to create them to relate to local personalities,” he added.
In her turn, Kamam Al-Maadeed, the screenwriter and co-director, indicated that she started her work from her hobby of writing novels, and worked on the film’s script in cooperation with director Mohamed Al-Suwaidi, adding to it the local character and entering a new experience of visual arts into the world of cinema.

For her part, Duha Abdel Sattar, director of “Missing Links,” tells the story of a couple who try to connect emotionally, but fail. “Making a movie is not easy, you have to sacrifice your personal life and your social life to focus on your project,” she said. The training we get from DFI is invaluable as it enables us to meet and engage in enriching creative discussions. In return, we give our energy, dedication and commitment to our projects.”
As for the film “Continuity”, directed by Nadia Al-Khater, it revolves around a young woman who starts a new editing project, and discovers that she is editing her private life. She praised Qumra’s role in providing the opportunity to communicate with the coaches and obtain their opinions, “Many festivals have specific priorities, and acquiring a broader knowledge of the latest cinema trends is important to me as a filmmaker to present original and renewed film projects.” “We’re making our own movies, our own content, and writing our own stories now,” she added.
Filmmaker Iman Mirghani said, “The Doha Film Institute is my family and I have been a regular participant in workshops for the past six years. This support from the Foundation opened the door for me to various aspects of cinematic work, including grants and communication with institutions and bodies that help us develop our career. What the Foundation and Qumra are doing is necessary and important for filmmakers all over the world, as well as for young talents who are given the necessary guidance, funding and assistance in the entire film-making process.”
Speaking about his movie “The Palestinian,” director Obada Jarbi explained that the idea of ​​the film centers around longing for Palestine, a land that he had not seen and had no memories of because he lived in another country.
And about her movie “The Legend of Mahmoud,” director Mayar Hamdan said, “The film is a message about instability and constant mobility, based on the idea of ​​absurd art in quoting a metaphorical image of the ancient mythical story of Sizo. She focused on the importance of the Doha Film Institute in promoting films and publishing their stories and issues, for which it provided support and funding, and all means of technical and logistical support for Palestinian films.
Director Alessandra Al-Shanti said about her movie “Memory” that it tells the story of a young woman who collects her memories of Beirut. The city that you could never call home and live in.” In the film, she deals with the experience of the Lebanese in exile, who have never lived in Lebanon, but carry identity.