Ajyal festival puts youth issues in the spotlight

Grouping a bumper schedule of special events this year, Ajyal Film Festival continues to provide joyful experiences that fit all age categories. From inspirational Ajyal talks to fun-filled family weekend and geeky events, the festival also holds “LeBlockade” exhibition, a new addition showcasing creative and unifying art works. [caption id='attachment_418599' width='300'] Fatma al Remaihi, Festival Directorand Chief Executive Officer ofDoha Film Institute.[/caption] One of the most popular events at the Ajyal Festival is “Made in Qatar”, presented by Occidental Petroleum of Qatar, it showcases 16 short films — narratives, documentaries, and animations — which will be shown in two sets of eight films each. The eagerly-awaited annual slate of independently-made short films, some of which have been supported by the Doha Film Institute (DFI), has been a core festival event celebrating the exciting state of film-making in Qatar. The third day witnessed displays of a number of movies, including The Smurfs, in line with celebrating the 70th anniversary of the show. Paralleled discussion panels went on highlighting issues like ‘how art beats adversity’, as history proves that times of struggle can often ignite social movements and inspire compelling works of art, exposing contemporary child trafficking and the use of films in healing trauma, and an intimate dialogue with internationally acclaimed visual artist and film-maker Shirin Neshat. Building on the success of the first Ajyal Talks in 2016, the sessions this year create space for inspiring interactions between youth and today’s strongest cultural influencers, bringing into discussions key issues affecting youth in the region. Fatma al Remaihi, Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer of Doha Film Institute, said: “Ajyal Talks is a platform for meaningful engagement between role models and youth, promoting healthy discourse on potentially divisive issues and inspiring creative solutions to real world concerns. We are confident that this series will continue to have a positive impact on our youth, at Ajyal and beyond the Festival.” On Thursday, Ajyal Talks discussed ‘Perceptions: Media Influences on our Daily Lives’, sharing views on the current state of media and how it impacts our daily lives. Zainab al Nassri