Qumra 10th Edition Kicks Off

INA-sources
 
 
The tenth annual edition of Qumra, the Doha Film Institutes talent incubator event for Arab and international cinema, commenced on Friday with film auteurs and international industry experts gathering to nurture emerging voices in cinema through exclusive mentorship sessions, in-depth workshops, along with a screening series of exceptional films that have made decisive impact on audiences.
 
Welcoming over 200 industry experts and the talents associated with over 40 Qumra projects, Chief Executive Officer of Doha Film Institute Fatma Hassan Al Remaihi said: "Qumra is an extension of the Institute's commitment to support promising filmmakers to overcome the various challenges of telling authentic stories. While we celebrate the progress that we have made in nurturing new voices in cinema, we are also confronted with the genocide in Gaza and the ongoing attempts to silence the voices crying out against it. This cultural genocide is a profound reminder of our responsibility as a global community to ensure that all voices are heard, and all lives are treated with dignity and respect." She added: "While the situation continues to worsen in Palestine and countries throughout the region including Yemen, Lebanon, Sudan, and Syria, providing a platform to acknowledge the courage and resilience of those fighting against oppression becomes even more important. The Doha Film Institute has always been and will remain dedicated to realizing important stories and amplifying unheard voices that connect us in our shared humanity. We are proud to be on the journey with these bold and evocative projects that will impact our societies for years to come." Addressing the delegates, Doha Film Institute's Artistic Advisor Elia Suleiman, said: "Qumra offers the opportunity to ask what must be done to take responsibility, and a moral and ethical position on what films enable us to discuss about genocides, massacres, and horrible violence around the world. It allows the questioning of what must be done in the context of storytelling, and in the context of asking cinematic questions as we tell our stories. This is the right time to contemplate, meditate, and take a solemn moment but also start to converse and discuss aesthetics to somehow have some inspiration and creativity." As part of its mission to accelerate the success of filmmakers from the region and beyond, Qumra 2024 will offer networking and development opportunities for more than 40 projects from emerging filmmakers from over 20 countries. The Qumra projects this year include 13 feature narratives, 11 documentaries, 11 shorts, and 7 web/TV series in various stages of production. Among the projects, 11 are helmed by Qatari or Qatar-based directors, including seven by nationals.
 
Among the selected projects, 32 are recipients of Doha Film Institute's Grants program, and three are supported through the Qatari Film Fund.
 
Underlining the year-round support offered by the Doha Film Institute to new and independent voices, 15 projects have earlier participated in DFI Training Programs such as the Hezayah Scriptwriting Lab, Producers Lab, Shorts Script Lab, Doc Lab with Rithy Panh, Series Lab, and First Cut Lab.
 
All selected projects will receive tailored creative mentorship on all areas related to filmmaking including scripting, directing, editing, cinematography and sound, among others, based on the specific needs of the project. They will also receive advice on financing and co-production strategy, marketing & packaging, project positioning, festival, and distribution strategies, pitching, and matchmaking.
The talents associated with the projects will participate in intensive mentoring sessions until March 6 in Doha and then take part in online sessions from March 9 to 11, providing them with an extended period of training and networking opportunities.
 
The organizations have united to underline their commitment to Qumra as a compelling platform for the development and promotion of emerging film talent that also engages the public through its Qumra Screenings and Masterclasses. While several partners are returning supporters across multiple editions, new partners have joined this year's edition.
 
Announcing the strong partnerships that is the driving force of Qumra's success, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Doha Film Institute Fatma Al-Ghanim said: "Building on our strong tradition of nurturing emerging talent, especially from underrepresented regions, Qumra has evolved as one of the premiere events in the film industry for bringing together auteurs and industry experts to nurture independent new voices in cinema. This has helped foster a strong film ecosystem from Qatar for the world. We are honored that leading national and international organizations share our mission and vision for a vibrant film industry, and enthusiastically contribute to its success. We are deeply grateful for the steadfast commitment of our partners from Qatar and beyond to support promising important voices to shape the future of cinema."
 
Qatar Museums and Museum of Islamic Art are the Cultural Partners of the 10th Qumra. The event is supported by the Official Hotel Alwadi Doha- MGallery Hotel Collection; Aldo Coppola; Blumen; MATAR, the Qatar Company for Airports Operation and Management and Darwish Holding, the official electronics provider.
 
Sarajevo Film Festival returns on board as one of the Friends of Qumra. The event is promoted by I Love Qatar, with Qommunciation as Social Media Partner, and Screen International and Deadline as Media Partners.
 
Source:  (QNA)