A still from Border.
Two Qatari films, Khalifa Al Thani’s Border and Amal Al Shammari and Hossein Heydar’s Fraiha have been gaining global recognition and receiving awards.
Both films are funded by the Doha Film Institute (DFI), which is committed to promoting film appreciation, education, and the development of a vibrant Qatari film industry that prioritises supporting local creators, while having an absolutely global reach.
The film Border won “Best Film” in the Short Fiction International Film Category at the 11th Tangier Film Festival based in Morocco. This is not the first time that the film bagged an international award, in April 2022, it took home the Silver award in the Short Films category at the New York Festivals TV & Film Awards.
Border is a story about Mohammed who attempts to travel through a border to see his family, but first, he must navigate the new world’s rules and regulations.
Despite his best efforts in following the complex system, his passage is not an easy one. At every turn, he faces institutionalised apathy and ever-increasing suspicion about his previous whereabouts and future intentions. In a world where we are all colour codes and faceless—judgement seems to turn into prejudice easily.
Amal Al Shammari and Hossein Heydar’s Fraiha, is another Qatari film that is making headlines internationally. This animated short film was selected to screen at Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival.
The 17th edition will run from March to May this year.
The festival features short live-action, animation, and documentaries which are made for toddlers through teens. Fraiha is among the more than 50 short films from around the world that will be featured.
Hossein Heydar, one of the filmmakers, told The Peninsula that being included in the selection is an honour as it allows them to introduce the Qatari culture to a global audience.
“It’s a great feeling to be able to spread to the world our stories, culture, and values – from Qatar to the world.”
According to him, Fraiha is a short animated film “that talks about the reason behind a successful businesswoman and proves the quote, “what you can’t get, you will not be able to give.” It is not always correct, especially when it comes to mothers, Heydar said.
The filmmaker also revealed that the film will be screened for this year’s Ajyal Film Festival of DFI.
The festival has been designed to empower the region’s youth and to inspire film enthusiasts of all ages in Qatar and the region. “There will be a screening in the Ajyal hopefully soon, and there will be an announcement.”
Al Shammari and Heydar are both part of the Nefaish Animation as a Managing Director and Creative Director respectively. Based in Qatar, Nefaish is a leading animation studio that is passionate and keen on delivering optimum animation services in the media industry.
One of its noteworthy projects is the Qatari animated web series “Kawkabani” aimed to showcase stories from the local culture in an entertaining way that reaches a global audience.
