A still from City of Wind.
Doha, Qatar: The global spotlight shines on Doha as the Doha Film Institute (DFI) announced its triumphant presence at the highly anticipated Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), scheduled to run from September 7 to 17.
This year, three captivating films backed by DFI, Inshallah A Boy, About Dry Grasses, and City of Wind, have secured their places in the TIFF Centerpiece Programme, a celebration of cinematic diversity and human experience.
The Centerpiece Programme boasts a diverse lineup of 47 films hailing from 45 countries. TIFF’s Chief Programming Officer, Anita Lee, expressed her enthusiasm for the newly rebranded programme, which replaces the former Contemporary World Cinema category.
“The rebranding of the TIFF programme, formerly Contemporary World Cinema, is a reflection of the festival’s vision to provide an elevated platform for international cinema, for acclaimed titles from festivals around the globe, highly anticipated premieres from Canadian and international talents, and the latest work of influential filmmaking luminaries.”
Inshallah A Boy and About Dry Grasses have already garnered accolades at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. About Dry Grasses clinched a nomination for the prestigious Palme d’Or, and Merve Dizdar was hailed with the Best Performance by an Actress award for her remarkable contribution to the film.
A still from About Dry Grasses.
Amjad Al Rasheed’s groundbreaking Inshallah A Boy bagged the Rail d’Or award for best feature film, marking the first-ever selection of a Jordanian feature film at Cannes.
City of Wind, a directorial debut by Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir, takes audiences on a journey through the life of Ze, a timid 17-year-old shaman in modern Mongolia.
Ze’s quest for success in an unforgiving society is juxtaposed with his spiritual connection to his ancestral spirit, leading to a transformative encounter with Maralaa, which changes his perspective forever.
Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s About Dry Grasses is a masterful exploration of power dynamics and the depths of the human psyche, set within a close-knit community marked by its two distinct seasons.
Inshallah A Boy, the debut work by Jordanian director Amjad Al Rasheed, introduces audiences to a poignant story of resilience. In the face of destitution following her husband’s sudden passing, a woman and her daughter’s only hope lies in her ability to give birth to a son.
Moreover, The Teacher, also a DFI-funded film directed by Farah Nabulsi, is poised to make its world premiere at TIFF.
Nabulsi, an Oscar-nominated and British Academy Film Awards-winning filmmaker, presents a deeply significant narrative about individuals enduring cruelty during a pertinent time, inviting audiences to reflect on the resilience of the human spirit.
Toronto International Film Festival is among the largest publicly attended film festivals worldwide.
Serving as Canada’s cinematic cornerstone, TIFF embraces audiences of all ages and backgrounds, offering an array of screenings, lectures, discussions, workshops, and events. With a dedication to showcasing the best of international and Canadian cinema, it creates an environment for filmmakers and film enthusiasts to connect and celebrate the art of storytelling on a global stage.
