Doha: The ninth edition of Ajyal Film Festival, presented by the Doha Film Institute (DFI), will deliver a weeklong calendar of film screenings and community-oriented events under the theme ‘Press Play!’ to celebrate the return to in-person events in the spirit of togetherness and the resilience of the nation in addressing the pandemic.
The seven-day festival from Nov. 7 to 13, 2021 will feature a diverse mix of virtual and in-person events including film screenings, interactive discussions, multi-media art exhibit, Qatar’s largest pop-culture event Geekdom, and a drive-in cinema as part of a multisensory experience for all ages.
Audiences across the city can participate in the diverse offerings, with the Festival’s physical presence to include locations at Katara, Sikkat Wadi Msheireb, Lusail and Vox Cinemas Doha Festival City.
This year’s Ajyal Film Festival will open with A Hero (Ghahreman), directed by Academy Award winning filmmaker and DFI collaborator and Qumra Master Asghar Farhadi. The compelling slice of life story, which won the Grand Prix at Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, will resonate with all. True to his signature style, A Hero is poignant and understated, and the moral dilemma the film unearths demonstrates Farhadi’s unique ability to turn ordinary human situations into cinematic masterpieces.
Tickets for the 8th Ajyal Film Festival are available for online purchase from today, Oct. 26. For up-to-date information and ticket purchase please visit: https://www.dohafilminstitute.com/filmfestival
Addressing the official press conference of Ajyal Film Festival 2021, Fatma Hassan Alre-maihi, Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Doha Film Institute, said: “The past two very eventful years have been full of uncertainty due to the pandemic, and its wide social and economic impact has resulted in a display of the strength of the human spirit. The collective crisis has helped us realize the importance of social interaction, and that we are all in it together. Ajyal 2021 reflects our deepened understanding of the world, where we appreciate now more than ever the importance of people coming together for creative expression and community.”
She added: “Ajyal Film Festival returns with this year’s theme, “Press Play”, to move forward out of pause mode and rekindle people’s passion for play, exploration, and discovery through shared cultural experiences. As one of the first film festivals in the world to adapt to a hybrid format last year, Ajyal demonstrated that we have the can-do spirit – and this year, as the world slowly starts to re-open- we continue to represent the innovation and forward thinking of Qatar’s leadership”.
Drive-in Cinema
One of the most popular highlights of Ajyal 2020, DFI’s Drive-In cinema at Lusail in partnership with QNTC returns with a diverse line-up of family-friendly titles and midnight horror screenings that appeal to all members of the family including 101 Dalmatians, Annabelle, Child's Play, Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone, The Conjuring and Maya the Bee - The Golden Orb.
Art Exhibition
Drawing inspiration from the Al-Kurd family living in the embattled Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, this year’s exhibit ‘We Will Not Leave’ derives its name from their defiant and now iconic graffiti art.
The multi-media exhibit at Sikkat Wadi Msheireb will bring attention to the everyday struggle of the Palestinian people – through 26 standout expressions by Qatar’s creative community, who have come together in a spirit of solidarity, support and kinship for our Palestinian broth-er’s and sister’s to present a sensory experience that manifests both the poignant beauty and affecting hardships of their current subjugation.
Ajyal Creativity Hub
The Ajyal Creativity Hub will serve as a destination for film, art and music lovers, transcending age groups to enjoy multisensory experiences. Taking place at Sikkat Wadi Msheireb, key activities include Geekdom, Qatar’s largest and one-of-a-kind pop-culture event; Ajyal Tunes, celebrating the country’s musical talents with three themed musical concerts and the multi-media Art Exhibit.
