Ajyal Film Festival 2024 to showcase 66 intriguing films from 42 countries

Doha, Qatar: The 2024 edition of the Ajyal Film Festival, presented by the Doha Film Institute (DFI), will present a curated selection of 66 thought p...

Doha, Qatar: The 2024 edition of the Ajyal Film Festival, presented by the Doha Film Institute (DFI), will present a curated selection of 66 thought-provoking films from 42 countries, exploring themes that resonate with audiences through stories of resilience, hope, and community empowerment, the organisers have said.

The festival programmes include 18 feature films and 48 shorts; 26 Arab films; 24 films by women filmmakers and 14 films supported by the DFI.

According to the organisers, the festival, scheduled to take place from November 16 to 23 at prominent venues such as Katara, Sikkat Wadi Msheireb, Lusail, and VOX Cinemas Doha Festival City, will embrace the theme ‘Moments that Matter,’ celebrating the significant influence of cinema from varied perspectives in strengthening our interconnectedness. The festival will also include interactive discussions, inclusive screenings, a film exhibition, and Qatar’s largest pop-culture event, Geekend.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer of Doha Film Institute Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, said: “Art is a form of defiance, and the 2024 edition of Ajyal reminds us that it cannot be silenced. While the level of horrific human suffering unleashed against innocent people in the region is infinitely disturbing, it is also fuel for our determination to protect and promote genuine human understanding, compassion and empathy to guide our actions.”

She added: “In a world facing immeasurable pain and division, Ajyal serves as a crucial platform where stories can bridge divides and bring us closer together. Through films that inspire conversations, challenge perceptions, and reinforce our shared humanity, Ajyal’s Moments That Matter is a reminder of the values we need to cultivate to help us all heal and move forward towards lasting peace.”