News DeskDoha, Qatar – The Doha Film Institute (DFI) continues to shine a spotlight on Arab cinema, with an impressive selection of 12 films supported by the Institute set to premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, running from August 28 to September 7, 2024.
These films, representing the best in independent cinema from the Arab world, will feature across several prestigious sections of the festival, including Orizzonti, Orizzonti Shorts, Critics Week, Giornate degli Autori, and the Venice Gap-Financing Market. The selection highlights the Institute’s commitment to elevating Arab voices on the global stage, showcasing works from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia, and Yemen.
Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, CEO of the Doha Film Institute, expressed pride in the continued success of Arab filmmakers, stating, “These films offer fresh perspectives on life that reflect human hopes, aspirations, and challenges, presenting important voices in film from the Arab world to global audiences. Our mission is to support independent creators in cinema, and the compelling selection at Venice is a testament to our commitment to shed light on stories that transcend borders and present unique perspectives.”
Among the notable films selected for Venice 2024 is Aïcha (Tunisia/France/Italy/KSA/Qatar) by Mehdi Barsaoui, screening in the Orizzonti section. The film follows Aya, who embarks on a journey of self-reinvention in Tunis. Also featured in this category is Happy Holidays (Palestine/Germany/France/Italy/Qatar) by Scandar Copti, which unravels a chain of events triggered by a minor accident.
In the Orizzonti Shorts section, Shadows (Jordan/France/Qatar) by Rand Beiruty tells the story of Ahlam’s emotional experience at an airport, where the excitement of her first visit is overshadowed by the sorrow of leaving her past behind.
Other DFI-supported films include Sudan, Remember Us (Tunisia/France/Qatar) by Hind Meddeb, featured in Giornate degli Autori, and Perfumed with Mint (Egypt/France/Tunisia/Qatar) by Muhammed Hamdy, screening at Critics’ Week.
Four films will be featured in the Final Cut section, a workshop aiding the completion of films. These include Aisha Can’t Fly Away (Egypt/France/Germany/Tunisia/Sudan/Lebanon/KSA/Qatar) by Morad Mostafa and In This Darkness I See You (Lebanon/France/KSA/Qatar) by Nadim Tabet.
In addition, the Institute supports three films selected for the Venice Gap-Financing Market: Marie & Jolie (Tunisia/France/Qatar) by Erige Sehiri, The Station (Yemen/Jordan/France/Netherlands/Germany/Norway/Qatar) by Sara Ishaq, and Theft Of Fire (Palestine/Canada/France/Qatar) by Amer Shomali.
Complementing the screenings, over 35 projects supported by DFI are showcased in the “Your ghosts are mine: Expanded Cinemas, Amplified Voices” exhibition at Palazzo Franchetti, running until November 24, 2024. The exhibition, produced by Qatar Museums and co-organized by DFI, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, and the future Art Mill Museum, highlights contemporary community life through the artistic vision of filmmakers from the Arab world and neighboring regions.
This selection of films and multimedia exhibitions at Venice 2024 underscores the Doha Film Institute’s ongoing commitment to nurturing and promoting Arab talent on the world stage.
