The Ministry of Education and Higher Education, in partnership with Doha Film Institute (DFI), has launched a short film competition, School Stars, for students of public and private schools in Qatar.
The theme for the first edition of the competition is ‘The Bright Side’. The contestants can submit short films, in Arabic or any other languages, expressing their opinions, observations and experiences regarding the COVID-19, the Ministry said in a press release.
On request from parents and students, the deadline for sending the films has been extended to May 9, 2020, instead of April 24.
The Ministry has announced cash prizes to winners of future filmmakers and producers in Arabic and other languages such as English, French or Hindi.
The winner of first place will get QR10,000, second prize is QR7,500 and third prize QR5,000.
The contestants are required to upload the films on the Doha Film Institution website at the link: https://www.dohafilminstitute.com/pages/school-stars-short-film-competition.
The students who wish to participate are required to make a short film of maximum one minute duration.
They need to send the film to the Doha Film Institute, where it will be evaluated by experts including artists and technicians who had judged many competitions like Ajyal Film Festival.
The films could cover introduction of coronavirus, or ways to prevent it, the risks of infection and its social impact.
The students do not need to use specialized photography equipment, as students can shoot their films using only the mobile phone.
Participants will be divided, in Arab competition and other languages competition, according to age groups into three categories: first category is for students from grade 1 to 4, second category for students from grade 5 to 8 and third category is for students from grade 9 to 12.
