Doha Film Institute (DFI) has introduced a new category to the ongoing Qumra 2020, its annual talent incubation event which in its sixth edition is being conducted online for the first time in light of global COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.
The web and TV series section is making its debut at Qumra with the participation of one web series and six TV series, two of which are being helmed by Qatari directors.
The creators of the seven series, which are all supported by DFI, are presenting their projects to a group of international industry professionals through individual and group advisory pitching sessions, said DFI in a statement.
Focusing on taking a project from script to screen, specific attention will be paid to preparing pitches, developing their work, securing financing, understanding the global marketplace, creating marketing strategies and finding unique avenues for distribution, added DFI. The participating TV series projects by Qatari talent include “Al Zubara” by Hamad Al Mansouri and “Life of Abdulla” by Abdulla Al Abdulla.
A futuristic take on Qatar, “Al Zubara” revolves around Jassim Mohammed, who, driven by revenge since the age of 12 for the murder of his brother, joins the police force to find the killer and get the justice he deserves.
“Life of Abdulla” takes a journey through the life of Abdulla and other renowned social media influencers from the Middle East who will give exclusive access into their high-end lifestyles, entrepreneurial ventures, management teams and personal lives.
Other TV series projects taking part in Qumra are “Faraya” (Lebanon, Qatar) by Nadim Tabet and Mounia Akl, “Heim” (Lebanon, Qatar) by Liwaa Yazji and Mohammad Abou Laban, “Meskoun” (Morocco, Lebanon, Tunisia, Egypt, Qatar) by Hicham Lasri, and “The Source” (Tunisia, Switzerland, Qatar) by Erige Sehiri.
Set in an eponymous Lebanese ski resort, “Faraya” delves into an inexperienced municipal police officer’s investigation of the death of a domestic worker that is apparently linked to a wave of racist hate crimes.
“Heim” is a drama takes place in a refugee centre in Berlin-Tempelhof airport, which though technically out of service is still “welcoming” different departing and arriving sort of people.
‘Meskoun” is the mysterious story of Lotfi, who drowns during an illegal emigration attempt only to reappear a month later, buoyed by the souls of the seven people that drowned alongside him.
In “The Source”, five childhood friends from Tunisia’s Thala High School, come together to investigate the death of Hicham, an older student. In tracing his footsteps over the months before he disappears, the group discover the world of cyber activists. They leave behind their adolescence and end up on the frontline of the Arab Spring.
The lone web series Qumra participant is “The Closet Sessions” (Jordan, Qatar) by hip-hop artist and director Ahmad Satti Ibrahim. A first in the Middle East, this bi-monthly web series will see local, regional and international artists come and experiment with different genres in a walk-in closet, uplifting the music scene and contributing to the universal dialogue of cultural production.
Over the past six years, Qumra has been a one-of-a-kind professional incubator crucial to the success of filmmakers from the Arab world and beyond. The Qumra 2020 programme includes 46 selected projects from 20 countries. It includes 20 projects by Qatar-based talent, including 12 by Qatari nationals. Seven of the projects were in development, with others in the Qumra Series and Shorts programmes. Of 46 projects, 33 are recipients of DFI’s Grants programme, three are supported through the Qatari Film Fund and one through the Institute’s co-financing programme.
Qumra 2020’s adapted online mentorship and support program concludes tomorrow.
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