The seventh edition nurtured 48 short and feature-length projects across some 700 online meetings.
The Doha Film Institute’s annual talent and project development event Qumra usually culminates in a lively outdoor party amid the dunes of Qatar’s Sealine Desert.
With this year’s seventh edition moving online due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it wrapped very differently.
Participants simply logged off the dedicated Qumra online platform and returned to their locked-down realities in cities as geographically diverse as Beirut, Tunis, Berlin, Paris, London, Vienna, Athens, New York, Los Angeles, Dar es Salem, Manila, Phnom Penh and, for the participating Qatari filmmakers,...
The Doha Film Institute’s annual talent and project development event Qumra usually culminates in a lively outdoor party amid the dunes of Qatar’s Sealine Desert.
With this year’s seventh edition moving online due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it wrapped very differently.
Participants simply logged off the dedicated Qumra online platform and returned to their locked-down realities in cities as geographically diverse as Beirut, Tunis, Berlin, Paris, London, Vienna, Athens, New York, Los Angeles, Dar es Salem, Manila, Phnom Penh and, for the participating Qatari filmmakers,...
- 3/19/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Seventh edition of the annual talent incubator moves online for a second year.
Directors Claire Denis, James Gray and Jessica Hausner, sound designer Mark Mangini and cinematographer Phedon Papamichael have reconfirmed their participation at the seventh edition of the Doha Film Institute’s annual talent incubator Qumra, running online March 12-17.
Filmmakers and producers attached to 48 selected projects from 21 territories, previously supported by the Dfi grants programme, will participate in this year’s edition.
“The Institute is extremely grateful to our Qumra Masters, filmmakers and industry participants for their passion and contribution to our commitment to reshape the global storytelling...
Directors Claire Denis, James Gray and Jessica Hausner, sound designer Mark Mangini and cinematographer Phedon Papamichael have reconfirmed their participation at the seventh edition of the Doha Film Institute’s annual talent incubator Qumra, running online March 12-17.
Filmmakers and producers attached to 48 selected projects from 21 territories, previously supported by the Dfi grants programme, will participate in this year’s edition.
“The Institute is extremely grateful to our Qumra Masters, filmmakers and industry participants for their passion and contribution to our commitment to reshape the global storytelling...
- 2/22/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Mbc’s pan-Arab show Laish La (Why Not?) has turned to Dubai-based, crowd-funding site Aflamnah to finance a project to rebuild a women’s radio station in the Gaza Strip.
The popular show, fronted by four Saudi social activists with big YouTube followings, aims to fulfil wishes sent in by viewers.
For their latest project, they are trying to raise $20,000 to help rebuild the Nisaa radio station, the first community radio station in the Gaza Strip for women, which was destroyed during the Israeli bombardment of the Palestinian territory over the summer.
“It’s an interesting concept for us, combining a radio station, TV show and crowd-funding,” said Vida Rizq, who runs Aflamnah alongside co-founder Lotfi Bencheikh. “These guys have a huge following on YouTube and the campaign has generated some 100,000 hits since it started two weeks ago.”
Launched in July 2012, Aflamnah is a fund-raising platform for creative projects in any domain in the Arab world.
Film...
The popular show, fronted by four Saudi social activists with big YouTube followings, aims to fulfil wishes sent in by viewers.
For their latest project, they are trying to raise $20,000 to help rebuild the Nisaa radio station, the first community radio station in the Gaza Strip for women, which was destroyed during the Israeli bombardment of the Palestinian territory over the summer.
“It’s an interesting concept for us, combining a radio station, TV show and crowd-funding,” said Vida Rizq, who runs Aflamnah alongside co-founder Lotfi Bencheikh. “These guys have a huge following on YouTube and the campaign has generated some 100,000 hits since it started two weeks ago.”
Launched in July 2012, Aflamnah is a fund-raising platform for creative projects in any domain in the Arab world.
Film...
- 12/14/2014
- ScreenDaily
A strong line-up of documentaries including Mahmoud Kaabour’s Champ Of The Camp and Jehane Noujaim’s The Square, about the Egyptian revolution, were attracting as much critical and public attention as the dramas at this year’s Diff, highlighting the growing strengh of factual filmmaking in the region.
Other stand-out docs included Ahmed Nour’s Waves and Mohamed Amine Boukhris’s War Reporter, which both received world premieres in the Muhr Arab documentary competition, and Jose A Alayon’s docu-drama Slimane, which premiered in Arabian Nights.
The Muhr AsiaAfrica documentary section also contained strong titles such as Sara Rastegar’s My Red Shoes, looking back at the Iranian revolution; Tan Pin Pin’s To Singapore, With Love and Riann Hendricks’ The Devil’s Lair.
Arab fiction titles such as Mohamed Khan’s Factory Girl; which also had its world premiere at Diff; Laila Marrakchi’s Rock The Casbah; Thierry De Peretti’s Apaches and Caroline Link’s [link...
Other stand-out docs included Ahmed Nour’s Waves and Mohamed Amine Boukhris’s War Reporter, which both received world premieres in the Muhr Arab documentary competition, and Jose A Alayon’s docu-drama Slimane, which premiered in Arabian Nights.
The Muhr AsiaAfrica documentary section also contained strong titles such as Sara Rastegar’s My Red Shoes, looking back at the Iranian revolution; Tan Pin Pin’s To Singapore, With Love and Riann Hendricks’ The Devil’s Lair.
Arab fiction titles such as Mohamed Khan’s Factory Girl; which also had its world premiere at Diff; Laila Marrakchi’s Rock The Casbah; Thierry De Peretti’s Apaches and Caroline Link’s [link...
- 12/13/2013
- ScreenDaily
A strong line-up of documentaries including Mahmoud Kaabour’s Champ Of The Camp and Jehane Noujaim’s The Square, about the Egyptian revolution, were attracting as much critical and public attention as the dramas at this year’s Diff, highlighting the growing strengh of factual filmmaking in the region.
Other stand-out docs included Ahmed Nour’s Waves and Mohamed Amine Boukhris’s War Reporter, which both received world premieres in the Muhr Arab documentary competition, and Jose A Alayon’s docu-drama Slimane, which premiered in Arabian Nights.
The Muhr AsiaAfrica documentary section also contained strong titles such as Sara Rastegar’s My Red Shoes, looking back at the Iranian revolution; Tan Pin Pin’s To Singapore, With Love and Riann Hendricks’ The Devil’s Lair.
Arab fiction titles such as Mohamed Khan’s Factory Girl; which also had its world premiere at Diff; Laila Marrakchi’s Rock The Casbah; Thierry De Peretti’s Apaches and Caroline Link’s [link...
Other stand-out docs included Ahmed Nour’s Waves and Mohamed Amine Boukhris’s War Reporter, which both received world premieres in the Muhr Arab documentary competition, and Jose A Alayon’s docu-drama Slimane, which premiered in Arabian Nights.
The Muhr AsiaAfrica documentary section also contained strong titles such as Sara Rastegar’s My Red Shoes, looking back at the Iranian revolution; Tan Pin Pin’s To Singapore, With Love and Riann Hendricks’ The Devil’s Lair.
Arab fiction titles such as Mohamed Khan’s Factory Girl; which also had its world premiere at Diff; Laila Marrakchi’s Rock The Casbah; Thierry De Peretti’s Apaches and Caroline Link’s [link...
- 12/13/2013
- ScreenDaily
Paris-based sales company Wide House has picked up international rights to Mahmoud Kaabour’s Champ Of The Camp, a musical documentary capturing life in the UAE’s labour camps, which premieres at Diff tomorrow (Dec 7).
The film explores life in the camps, housing thousands of South Asian labourers on the outskirts of the city, through the Bollywood singing and trivia competitions they run for entertainment. These X-Factor style contests have been running for seven years in the camps, drawing some 10,000 entrants this year.
The world premiere of the film will be held in the shadow of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa skyscraper, which one of the protagonists of the film helped to build, in a free open-air screening tomorrow evening.
“It’s great the film is getting this sort of recognition in Mena before heading to other international festivals and markets in 2014,” said Wide House chief Anais Clanet.
She said Wide House had been approached by Kaabour’s Dubai-based...
The film explores life in the camps, housing thousands of South Asian labourers on the outskirts of the city, through the Bollywood singing and trivia competitions they run for entertainment. These X-Factor style contests have been running for seven years in the camps, drawing some 10,000 entrants this year.
The world premiere of the film will be held in the shadow of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa skyscraper, which one of the protagonists of the film helped to build, in a free open-air screening tomorrow evening.
“It’s great the film is getting this sort of recognition in Mena before heading to other international festivals and markets in 2014,” said Wide House chief Anais Clanet.
She said Wide House had been approached by Kaabour’s Dubai-based...
- 12/6/2013
- ScreenDaily
The working conditions in Dubai's labour camps have been in the headlines – but a new documentary about the labourers' knock-out singing competition shows a very different side to the communities there
When international media descended on Dubai's labour camps in 2008, aiming to expose the plight of the city's construction workers, there was one thing they didn't report on: Camp Ka Champ, the X-Factor-meets-Bollywood knock-out singing competition, then already in its second year.
The contest, which translates as Champ of the Camp, is open to 70 labour sites, with workers singing to win cash, flights and flat-screen TVs, as well as taking part for the sheer homesickness-numbing fun of it. Many of the songs are the equivalent of traditional blues and folk, their lyrics about the pain of missing home and loved ones. Founded seven years ago by Western Union, the company through which workers typically send their entire wages back to their families,...
When international media descended on Dubai's labour camps in 2008, aiming to expose the plight of the city's construction workers, there was one thing they didn't report on: Camp Ka Champ, the X-Factor-meets-Bollywood knock-out singing competition, then already in its second year.
The contest, which translates as Champ of the Camp, is open to 70 labour sites, with workers singing to win cash, flights and flat-screen TVs, as well as taking part for the sheer homesickness-numbing fun of it. Many of the songs are the equivalent of traditional blues and folk, their lyrics about the pain of missing home and loved ones. Founded seven years ago by Western Union, the company through which workers typically send their entire wages back to their families,...
- 11/25/2013
- The Guardian - Film News
Sun News Network Pulls Plug On Toronto Mayor Reality Show Controversial Toronto mayor Rob Ford and his brother, Coun. Doug Ford, will not be returning to Sun News Network with their newly launched reality show. The hourlong Ford Nation aired one episode on Monday night before getting the axe, despite notching a record 155K views in its first airing and 45k in repeats across Western Canada. The network blamed the move on the show’s demanding production schedule and use of resources. “What we will do is invite the Fords on other programming on the network where they’ll have an opportunity to be interviewed by other hosts,” Sun News VP Kory Teneycke said. Monty Python To Reunite Surviving Monty Python members Eric Idle, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and Terry Jones are set to reunite in a stage show, UK media reports. The show, expected to be announced at a Thursday press conference,...
- 11/20/2013
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Don't miss your chance to see Grandma, A Thousand Times, which has played at both the Doha Tribeca Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. This incredibly thoughful and heartful documentary is Lebanese filmmaker Mahmoud Kaabour's tribute to his beloved grandmother, aka Teta Fatima. Grandma, A Thousand Times follows Teta, the 83-year-old matriarch of the Kaabour family, who rules the neighborhood of the the old Beirut quarter she calls home. Teta is as endearing as she is fascinating a subject. She is illiterate but quick-witted, deftly haggles vendors for the best prices, drinks coffee by the gallon, and smokes unabashedly from a hookah. Teta is a living reminder of a time that has long since past. We recently spoke to Kaabour - who directs and appears in this playful, magic-realist documentary - about the inspiration behind his film, the festival scene, and of course, Teta herself.
- 12/5/2011
- TribecaFilm.com
Patricio Guzmán's Nostalgia for the Light won Best Feature at the International Documentary Association's Awards ceremony in Los Angeles last night. The La Times' Susan King: "Set in northern Chile's Atacama Desert, the documentary juxtaposes scenes of astronomers in observatories scanning the galaxies, while nearby, archaeologists and elderly women dig through the sand searching for the human remains of pre-Columbian mummies, 19th century miners who labored in slave conditions and the bodies of victims of Gen Augusto Pinochet's regime who were taken to the Atacama as political prisoners and dumped there." Michael Guillén interviewed Guzmán in October 2010.
TheWrap's Steve Pond notes that neither Nostalgia nor any of the other docs nominated for the Ida's top award — Better This World, How to Die in Oregon, The Redemption of General Butt Naked and The Tiniest Place — have made the Academy's shortlist of 15 films left in the race for the Best Documentary Feature Oscar.
TheWrap's Steve Pond notes that neither Nostalgia nor any of the other docs nominated for the Ida's top award — Better This World, How to Die in Oregon, The Redemption of General Butt Naked and The Tiniest Place — have made the Academy's shortlist of 15 films left in the race for the Best Documentary Feature Oscar.
- 12/3/2011
- MUBI
Texas is known for some great film festivals. apart from SXSW and Fantastic Fest, both held in Austin – Houston also hosts some wonderful events. Among them is the Cinema Arts Festival. This year’s line-up is extremely strong, with titles that include Pina, David Cronenberg’s A Dangerous Method, The Artist and the World Premiere of Art Car: The Movie. Sadly we do not have any contributors over in Houston, but I did feel the need to quickly promote the festival. Here is the press release.
Houston – Now in its third year, Cinema Arts Festival Houston, which runs from November 9 to 13, 2011 will bring an ambitious program of films by and about artists to the vibrant Texas city known internationally for its dynamic art scene. From painting and dance to classical music and multimedia work, this edition will also include appearances by directors, actors, musicians, and special tributes to Ethan Hawke and documentary master Patricio Guzman.
Houston – Now in its third year, Cinema Arts Festival Houston, which runs from November 9 to 13, 2011 will bring an ambitious program of films by and about artists to the vibrant Texas city known internationally for its dynamic art scene. From painting and dance to classical music and multimedia work, this edition will also include appearances by directors, actors, musicians, and special tributes to Ethan Hawke and documentary master Patricio Guzman.
- 10/31/2011
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
The 13th Mumbai Film Festival, a Reliance entertainment initiative organized by Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (Mami) that kick started on 13th October, concluded this evening, after showcasing over 200 films from 60 countries across various sections at its three venues- Cinemax Versova, Cinemax Sion and Metro Big Cinemas. The gala eight day affair came to an end with its closing film Dolphin's Tale directed by Charles Martin Smith starring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd amongst others which was followed by the closing night awards function event at 'Sun n Sand' hosted by actress Essha Koppikhar. The event witnessed numerous celebrities that include award winning International and Indian actors, directors and producers. The International lifetime achievement award was given to Morgan Freeman and Indian lifetime achievement award was given to Gulzar. In the International Competition category, The Golden Gateway Award and cash prize of Us $ 100,000 for The Best Film was presented to French...
- 10/21/2011
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
The 13th Mumbai Film Festival, a Reliance entertainment initiative organized by Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (Mami) that kick started on 13th October, concluded this evening, after showcasing over 200 films from 60 countries across various sections at its three venues- Cinemax Versova, Cinemax Sion and Metro Big Cinemas. The gala eight day affair came to an end with its closing film Dolphin's Tale directed by Charles Martin Smith starring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd amongst others which was followed by the closing night awards function event at 'Sun n Sand' hosted by actress Essha Koppikhar. The event witnessed numerous celebrities that include award winning International and Indian actors, directors and producers. The International lifetime achievement award was given to Morgan Freeman and Indian lifetime achievement award was given to Gulzar. In the International Competition category, The Golden Gateway Award and cash prize of Us $ 100,000 for The Best Film was presented to French...
- 10/21/2011
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
Facelift, directed by Ameya Gore and Sunaina Mahadik won the Silver Gateway Award and cash prize of Rs 100,000 for the Best Film in the Dimensions Mumbai category at the 13th Mumbai Film Festival. The film portrays the transition of Mumbai from a city of mills to a city of malls.
The Second Best Film was presented to Life is a Beach, directed by Abhay Kumar.
The Jury Special Mention Award was given to Chinmaya Nagesh Dalvi for Bombay Snow and to Harshvir Oberai for The Circle Is Mine. To read more about the films, click here.
The Dimensions Mumbai Jury was headed by Kiran Rao and comprised Vikramaditya Motwane, Nishikant Kamat, Onir and Renuka Shahane.
In the Celebrate Age category, The Silver Gateway Award and cash prize of Rs 50,000 for The Best Film was presented to Grandma, A Thousand Times’(Teta, Alf Marra) directed by Mahmoud Kaabour. The Silver Gateway...
The Second Best Film was presented to Life is a Beach, directed by Abhay Kumar.
The Jury Special Mention Award was given to Chinmaya Nagesh Dalvi for Bombay Snow and to Harshvir Oberai for The Circle Is Mine. To read more about the films, click here.
The Dimensions Mumbai Jury was headed by Kiran Rao and comprised Vikramaditya Motwane, Nishikant Kamat, Onir and Renuka Shahane.
In the Celebrate Age category, The Silver Gateway Award and cash prize of Rs 50,000 for The Best Film was presented to Grandma, A Thousand Times’(Teta, Alf Marra) directed by Mahmoud Kaabour. The Silver Gateway...
- 10/21/2011
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
The 2011 Tribeca Film Festival on Wednesday announced its lineup for the 2011 Special Events and Tribeca Talks panel series. The full press release follows.
New York, NY [March 23, 2011] – The 2011 Tribeca Film Festival (Tff), presented by American Express®, today announced its lineup for the 2011 Special Events and Tribeca Talks® panel series. The component programs are “Tribeca Talks: After the Movie,” “Tribeca Talks: Industry,” “Tribeca Talks: Pen to Paper, hosted by Barnes & Noble,” the Tribeca/Espn Sports Film Festival panel, and new this year, in celebration of the tenth Festival, the “Tribeca Talks: Directors Series,” featuring one-on-one conversations with acclaimed filmmakers, plus the premiere of five new documentary films and a one-of-a-kind videogame-film event.
This year, Tribeca’s annual panel series, a collection of special events, conversations and audience Q&A’s designed to spark a richer dialogue about film, has expanded to include the “Tribeca Talks: Directors Series.” The series invites audiences to...
New York, NY [March 23, 2011] – The 2011 Tribeca Film Festival (Tff), presented by American Express®, today announced its lineup for the 2011 Special Events and Tribeca Talks® panel series. The component programs are “Tribeca Talks: After the Movie,” “Tribeca Talks: Industry,” “Tribeca Talks: Pen to Paper, hosted by Barnes & Noble,” the Tribeca/Espn Sports Film Festival panel, and new this year, in celebration of the tenth Festival, the “Tribeca Talks: Directors Series,” featuring one-on-one conversations with acclaimed filmmakers, plus the premiere of five new documentary films and a one-of-a-kind videogame-film event.
This year, Tribeca’s annual panel series, a collection of special events, conversations and audience Q&A’s designed to spark a richer dialogue about film, has expanded to include the “Tribeca Talks: Directors Series.” The series invites audiences to...
- 3/23/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
The 2011 Tribeca Film Festival on Wednesday announced its lineup for the 2011 Special Events and Tribeca Talks panel series. The full press release follows.
New York, NY [March 23, 2011] – The 2011 Tribeca Film Festival (Tff), presented by American Express®, today announced its lineup for the 2011 Special Events and Tribeca Talks® panel series. The component programs are “Tribeca Talks: After the Movie,” “Tribeca Talks: Industry,” “Tribeca Talks: Pen to Paper, hosted by Barnes & Noble,” the Tribeca/Espn Sports Film Festival panel, and new this year, in celebration of the tenth Festival, the “Tribeca Talks: Directors Series,” featuring one-on-one conversations with acclaimed filmmakers, plus the premiere of five new documentary films and a one-of-a-kind videogame-film event.
This year, Tribeca’s annual panel series, a collection of special events, conversations and audience Q&A’s designed to spark a richer dialogue about film, has expanded to include the “Tribeca Talks: Directors Series.” The series invites audiences to...
New York, NY [March 23, 2011] – The 2011 Tribeca Film Festival (Tff), presented by American Express®, today announced its lineup for the 2011 Special Events and Tribeca Talks® panel series. The component programs are “Tribeca Talks: After the Movie,” “Tribeca Talks: Industry,” “Tribeca Talks: Pen to Paper, hosted by Barnes & Noble,” the Tribeca/Espn Sports Film Festival panel, and new this year, in celebration of the tenth Festival, the “Tribeca Talks: Directors Series,” featuring one-on-one conversations with acclaimed filmmakers, plus the premiere of five new documentary films and a one-of-a-kind videogame-film event.
This year, Tribeca’s annual panel series, a collection of special events, conversations and audience Q&A’s designed to spark a richer dialogue about film, has expanded to include the “Tribeca Talks: Directors Series.” The series invites audiences to...
- 3/23/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
The second annual Doha Tribeca Film Festival wrapped up on Saturday, October 30, with its very first awards ceremony. Best Arab Film went to Hawi, written and directed by Ibrahim El Batout. Best Arab Filmmaker went to Balls, directed by Josef Fares. The Audience Award for Best Narrative went to The First Grader, directed by Justin Chadwick, and a Special Jury Mention Audience Award for Best Documentary went to Grandma, A Thousand Times, directed by Mahmoud Kaabour. Best Arab Short Film went to Sirwar Zirkly's Missing. The Arab awards and the Audience Awards came with prize monies of $100,000 (Usd) each. Amanda Palmer, the Executive Director of the Doha Film Institute, called this a "fantastic moment for Qatar," and added that "this year's Dtff has provided a fantastic showcase for Arab and International filmmakers. The array of films we've screened over the past five days span from the personal to the epic,...
- 10/31/2010
- TribecaFilm.com
Today the Doha Film Institute announced the lineup for the second annual Doha Tribeca Film Festival, and it looks likely to be a very impressive five days in October with four world premieres, Arab film and Arab short film competitions and a packed World Cinema programme.
Rachid Bouchareb’s Outside the Law is set to open the festival on the 26th of October with Justin Chadwick’s The First Grader chosen as the film to close the event. A highlight of the festival is Ahmed Ahmed’s documentary Just Like Us, and we were able to sit down with the comedian to talk about his film, the festival and his future plans and that interview will appear on the site in due course.
We also hope to be attending the festival in October so we’ll be well placed to bring you the news and reviews from this exemplary event.
Rachid Bouchareb’s Outside the Law is set to open the festival on the 26th of October with Justin Chadwick’s The First Grader chosen as the film to close the event. A highlight of the festival is Ahmed Ahmed’s documentary Just Like Us, and we were able to sit down with the comedian to talk about his film, the festival and his future plans and that interview will appear on the site in due course.
We also hope to be attending the festival in October so we’ll be well placed to bring you the news and reviews from this exemplary event.
- 9/26/2010
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
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