The seventh and biggest edition of Qumra — Doha Film Institute’s (DFI) unique annual incubator for emerging global talent — kicks off today promising six days of master classes, workshops, consultations and screenings. Apart from participating filmmakers, the general public has also the opportunity to access the most expansive edition of Qumra virtually by purchasing a Qumra Pass that offers the full Qumra Screenings and Qumra Talks programmes, DFI has said in a statement.
Qumra Pass is open to all citizens and residents of Qatar and the MENA region, and applications will be processed on a first-come-first-serve basis. The Qumra Pass is priced at QR500; students and Qatar Museums Culture Pass holders can purchase it for a discounted price of QR350, DFI earlier announced.
With 48 selected projects representing 21 countries, Qumra 2021’s programme is the largest in its history. This is part of DFI’s mission to nurture the success of filmmakers from the region and beyond and prepare them to bring their projects to audiences around the world. This year’s programme comprises features, 12 shorts and six series including five new Qatari features in development.
Of the 48 participating projects, 39 are recipients of DFI’s Grants programme and the Qatari Film Fund. It is worth noting that Qumra 2021 programme features 19 projects by Qatar-based talent, including 12 by Qatari nationals. In addition, Qumra 2021 is expected to welcome over 150 international industry experts from 41 countries who will be joined by a number of prominent local organizations.
One of the major highlights of Qumra are master classes under industry luminaries, and this year’s Qumra Masters include legendary French auteur Claire Denis; BAFTA and Academy Award-nominated cinematographer Phedon Papamichael; internationally celebrated director James Gray; Silver Lion winning film director and screenwriter Jessica Hausner, and Oscar-winning sound designer Mark Mangini.
There is also Qumra Talks headlined by legendary French photographer Brigitte Lacombe and groundbreaking Middle Eastern singer Yasmine Hamdan. Among the array of acclaimed films which can be viewed online in the Mena region only are “200 Meters”, “Their Algeria”, “The Unknown Saint”, “Mica”, “The Marriage Project”, and “A Comedian in a Syrian Tragedy”, “Al Tabbab”, The Blue Star”, “Ceuta’s Gate”, “Emsahar”, “Ome”, “Under Her Skin”, and “Woman of Steel.” The screenings also include pre-recorded Q&As with the filmmakers
