A still from "Club Zero".
Doha: The films “About Dry Grasses” and “Club Zero,” which were co-financed by the Doha Film Institute (DFI), have been chosen to screen in competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, which runs from May 16 to 27.
Over 19 films have been selected under the ‘Competition’ category for the 76th edition of the prestigious film festival. “About Dry Grasses” is by Qumra master Nuri Bilge Ceylon, while “Club Zero” is a film by Qumra master Jessica Hausner. A group called Qumra Masters was coined by DFI and consists of well-known creative visionaries from across the world who provide a series of motivational Master Classes that foster the growth of global storytelling.
And Qumra is annual talent incubator for Arab and international cinema.
Both directors have won in the Cannes Film Festival, and the said films will be premiered at the annual event founded in 1946. Turkish filmmaker, director, and photographer Nuri Bilge Ceylon has received several international awards for his feature films since 1997. “About Dry Grasses” is a story about a young teacher who hopes to be appointed to Istanbul after mandatory duty at a small village. After long time waiting, he loses all hope of escaping from this gloomy life. However, his colleague Nuray helps him to regain a perspective. Austrian film director and screenwriter, Jessica Hausner has received global accolades since the 2000.
She is also among the six female filmmakers who are part of the festival. Her drama thriller film “Club Zero” is a story about a teacher who takes a job at an elite school and forms a strong bond with five students - a relationship that eventually takes a dangerous turn.
The two films are among the long list of DFI-funded films which have been selected at the Cannes Film Festival over the years. Last year, 10 films supported by the institute were selected, and in 2021, nine films.
Moreover, DFI has also announced that its Stop-Motion Workshop for Young Filmmakers will be on May 2 and applications are now open for 13-17-year old individuals who wanted to join the event. The workshop serves as a fun, practical introduction to the stop-motion animation process. Participants will develop a greater understanding of the craft of storytelling and discover all the necessary tips, tricks, and animation methods through a combination of academic talks, hands-on activities, and screenings of short stop-motion animated films.
Fadi Syriani, an animator, writer, and director who launched the Youth Animation Platform (YAP) in 2018 to provide young people the chance to convey their experiences via animation, will serve as the workshop’s mentor.
To apply, visit DFI’s website at dohafilminstitute.com
