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Promoted By Friends Of The Festival How to Use this Guide Table of Contents

All films at Ajyal are selected and recommended according to age-appropriateness. Welcome to the Ajyal 4

General Audience. Suitable for audiences ages 4 and up. Ajyal Competition, Jury and Awards 5

Parental guidance is advised. Some material may be inappropriate for young Feature Film Presentations 6–13 children. Opening Night: ‘It Must Be Heaven’ by 7 Parental guidance is advised for viewers under the age of 13. Individuals under the age of 13 are not admitted into cinemas unless accompanied by Short Film Programmes 14 an individual over the age of 18. Made in Qatar presented by Ooredoo 15–16 Parental guidance advised for viewers under the age of 15. Individuals under Feel: Films for the whole family 17 the age of 15 are not admitted into cinemas unless accompanied by an Overcome: Films for audiences 15 and older 18 individual over the age of 18. Experience: Films for audiences 18 and older 19 Wonder & Under the Moonlight Cine-Concert 20 Mature subject matter. May not be suitable for minors. Individuals under the Made in India 23 age of 15 are not admitted into cinemas. An Inclusive Experience 25 Mature subject matter. Not suitable for minors. Individuals under the age of 18 are not admitted into cinemas. SONY Cinema Under the Stars Programme 27

Festival Venues Ajyal Creativity Hub 30 To make it easier for you, we have given each venue a short code which you can match up with any of the screenings and events in this guide. Ajyal at Novo Cinemas, The Pearl 34 Event and screening locations are identified as follows: Katara Opera House: K16-OH Ajyal at Vox Cinemas, Doha Festival City 35 Katara Drama Theatre: K16-DT Katara 18 & 19: Geekdom: K18–G & K19–GC Film Ratings Guide and Ticket Information 37 Katara 19: ARC: K19-A Novo Cinemas, The Pearl: NOVO Schedule of Screenings 39 Vox Cinemas, Doha Festival City: VOX Museum of Islamic Art Park: SONY Cinema Under the Stars: MIA-SC

For more information, please see page 38 of this guide.

Subtitles and Interpretation Unless otherwise noted, all films are shown in their original language, with and English subtitles as necessary. Interpreters are onsite for all panels, workshops and question-and-answer sessions.

Free Screenings and Events Free screenings and events presented in Festival venues other than Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park, SONY Cinema Under the Stars require a ticket for admission. Free tickets may be reserved online or requested at Ajyal Main Box Office (Katara Building 10). All screenings at the MIA Park, SONY Cinema Under the Stars are free and do not require tickets. Seating is limited and available on a first‑come, first-served basis. Ajyal Competition

As always, engagement of young people at the festival the globe, Ajyal helps them develop their understanding of centres on the juries of the Ajyal Competition, who select the how the world tells its stories in a spirit of cultural exchange. festival’s award winners. The Ajyal Competition inspires creative thinking, By providing young people from the ages of 8 to 21 with cooperation and self-expression – and leads to friendships access to international cinema and filmmakers from around that will last a lifetime.

Ajyal Jury

The Ajyal Competition Jury is divided into three sections by age group. The three juries are:

Welcome to another incredible Mohaq Hilal Bader Ajyal Film Festival! Mohaq means ‘New Moon’ in Arabic, Ajyal’s jurors aged 13 to 17 are the Hilal The most mature of Ajyal’s juries, and these are Ajyal’s youngest jurors, jury – the term means ‘Crescent Moon’ Bader (Arabic for ‘Full Moon’) jurors Ajyal turns seven this year, and we are delighted to present up‑and‑coming live musical performances from all over aged 8 to 12. These young people will in Arabic. Four feature films and one are aged 18 to 21 and will select their to you another inspiring edition of our annual festival. Over Qatar in our inaugural ‘Ajyal Tunes’ programme. watch one programme of short films programme of shorts make up this favourite films from five features and the course of six days, you will enjoy some of the very best in Our support of the local arts and creative community and four feature-length films. jury’s film selection. one programme of short films. local, regional and international cinema, bringing audiences continues with the immersive storytelling experience—’ARC’ of all generations together for an invaluable exchange of which showcases the works of Qatar’s emerging multimedia culture through film. artists. To celebrate the ‘Qatar-India 2019 Year of Culture’, Hundreds of Ajyal Jurors from around the world will Ajyal 2019 presents a selection of highly-acclaimed short Awards return to Katara to decide the winners of the Ajyal Jury dramas and comedies from the global powerhouse of Competition. During the festival, they will hone their film cinema in the special ‘Made in India’ programme. Each of the three Ajyal Juries awards a Best Film prize to literacy, creative writing, and analytical thinking skills Once again, we have partnered with the Translation and their favourite short and feature-length films, for a total of through a series of thought-provoking film screenings, Interpreting Institute of the College of Humanities and Social six awards. The directors of the winning films are granted talks and workshops. Equally importantly, they will learn to Sciences at Hamad bin Khalifa University for a trans-adaptive funding toward their next film, so jurors are empowered express themselves, create lifelong friendships, and broaden inclusive screening of ‘Made in Qatar’ shorts that will bring to support and promote future content that is relevant and their understanding of the world around them. the magic of cinema to people of all abilities. important to them, in a proactive way. The Qatari film industry is truly thriving, and we are Get ready to embrace your inner nerd with the return of Our youngest audiences vote for their favourite film in proud to bring you some of its finest examples in our ‘Made Qatar’s largest pop-culture event, ‘Geekdom’ in partnership the ‘Wonder’ short film programme (see page 20). A jury of in Qatar’ programme presented by Ooredoo. The two with Qatar National Tourism Council. Take part in our regional industry professionals will decide the Best Film in short film programmes include compelling narratives and electrifying video-game tournaments, cosplay competition the ‘Made in Qatar’ presented by Ooredoo section (see pages fascinating documentaries that represent our stories and or enjoy a selection of specially curated animated screenings. 15 and 16). voices. To help you plan your festival, you will find more Once again, our Ajyal Audience Award will be decided There is something for all ages at Ajyal through our information on all of our screenings and events throughout by the general public. Be sure to keep an eye out for your ever-popular SONY Cinema Under the Stars series, and this guide. This year’s programme once again offers chance to vote at some of our feature-length film screenings. an exclusive Kids Red Carpet screening of the classic something for everyone, and we look forward to welcoming ‘The Wizard of Oz’. We also have a selection of the best you to the festival soon!

4 5 Opening Night Feature It Must Be Heaven Doha Film Institute Supported Film Films

Award-winning Palestinian auteur Elia Suleiman masterfully Director: Elia Suleiman uses his penetrating gaze and expressive body language France, Qatar, Germany, Canada, Turkey, / to distil the soul of Palestine, and nowhere is this more Arabic, English, French / 2019 / 97 mins evident than in his new surreal comedy ‘It Must Be Heaven’. Leaving his homeland for the bustling metropolises of Winner of the Jury Special Mention and FIPRESCI Paris, New York and Montreal, Suleiman turns his signature Critics’ Award at the Cannes Film Festival 2019 observational style from Palestine to a broader world, full of comparable tension, absurdity and paranoia. In each new Mon 18 Nov / 8:00 PM / K16-OH / (by invitation only) city, Suleiman is wide-eyed with curiosity and wonder at the Mon 18 Nov / 8:00 PM / K16-DT / QR 50 daily lives of the respective inhabitants, yet time and again, Doors open at 6:30 PM and close at 8:00 PM something always seems to remind him of home. Tue 19 Nov / 8.30 PM / NOVO/ QR 35 Speaking just four words in the entire film, Suleiman Thu 21 Nov / 8.30 PM / VOX / QR 35 has an almost effortless ability to convey so much meaning in his facial expressions, and the film brings an abundance of the sadly-forgotten art of silent comedy roaring into the 21st century. Winner of the Jury Special Mention and FIPRESCI Critics’ Award at last May’s Cannes Film Festival, and Palestine’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the —‘It Must Be Heaven’ is a comic saga exploring identity, nationality and belonging, in which Suleiman asks the fundamental question: where is the place we can truly call home?

7 1982 Doha Film Institute Supported Film Away

As the academic year draws to a close in the mountains of A fairytale-like adventure in which a young boy finds himself Lebanon, eleven-year-old Wissam struggles to pluck up the pursued by a malevolent creature across a mysterious land, courage to reveal his true feelings to classmate Joanna. But crossing barren deserts and lush forests. With animals as before he can, and with his school in the midst of their final his only companions, our hero must race to safety amid his exams, the air invasions on begin, and the pupils are beautiful yet strange surroundings. The film abstains from to be sent home. However, the imminent danger only makes dialogue to create a vibrant and satisfying world full of both Wissam even more resolute, as it becomes clear that no one unspoken dread and wonder. A labour of love, ‘Away’, was knows what tomorrow will bring. written, produced, directed, and composed entirely by Gints Zilbalodis. Winner of the NETPAC Award for World or International Asian Tue 19 Nov / 5.30 PM / VOX / QR 35 Film Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival 2019 Tue 19 Nov / 6.00 PM / NOVO / QR 35 Winner of the Contrechamp Award at the Annecy Fri 22 Nov / 2.30 PM / NOVO / QR 35 Director: Oualid Mouaness Sat 23 Nov / 2.30 PM / NOVO / QR 35 International Animation Festival 2019 Lebanon, USA, Norway, Qatar / Arabic, English / 2019 / Director: Gints Zilbalodis 100 mins Latvia / No dialogue / 2019 / 75 mins

Ailo’s Journey Bombay Rose Doha Film Institute Supported Film

Ailo, a reindeer born just a little prematurely, spends the first Young Kamala makes flower garlands to sell on the streets year of his life on a long, arduous journey across Lapland. An of Bombay during the day, and at night works as a “dancer”. uplifting and heartwarming story from the bleak and cold Desperately wishing to keep her little sister Tara away from wilderness, the camera follows Ailo and his mother on their the harsh life she leads, she uses her meagre earnings and incredible adventure through the white frozen expanses those of her watchmaker grandfather to pay for school for of the polar circle. Throughout his odyssey, the frail and the young girl. A chance encounter with Salim, the boy from vulnerable newborn reindeer must overcome incredible across the street, offers hope of a better life for Kamala— obstacles that stand in the way of his first migration. who now must choose between fending for her family and finding true love. Director: Guillaume Maidatchevsky Thu 21 Nov / 6.00 PM / VOX / QR 35 France, Finland / English / 2018 / 86 mins Tue 19 Nov / 8.30 PM / VOX / QR 35 Director: Gitanjali Rao Sat 23 Nov / 5.30 PM / NOVO / QR 35 Thu 21 Nov / 9.00 PM / VOX / QR 35 India, France, UK, Qatar / Hindi / 2019 / 93 mins Sat 23 Nov / 8.30 PM / NOVO / QR 35 The Arctic Camels Children of the Sea

Torarin and Svalin live way up in Arctic Norway. Initially On the first day of summer vacation, young Ruka befriends wanting horses to ride, they quickly get over their two brothers, Umi and Sora, at her father’s aquarium. disappointment when their father buys them two Bactrian The boys were raised in the ocean, which has given them camels instead. The plan is to train them and build a camel an incredible ability to swim like fish and communicate centre—but camels are stubborn animals, and teaching with sea creatures. She forms a natural affinity with the them is certainly not a job for an amateur. So, the family brothers, and together they notice a strange call from the pack their bags and head on an expedition to Mongolia, deep that’s luring all types of marine life away from their hoping to find a professional who will help train their animals natural habitats. A mystery in which the three children seem in Norway. destined to play a crucial role.

Fri 22 Nov / 6.00 PM / VOX / QR 35 Director: Karl Emil Rikardsen Fri 22 Nov / 3.00 PM / NOVO / QR 35 Director: Ayumu Watanabe Sat 23 Nov / 3.00 PM / NOVO / QR 35 Norway / Norwegian, Mongolian, English / Sat 23 Nov / 6.00 PM / NOVO / QR 35 Japan / Japanese / 2019 / 112 mins 2019 / 75 mins

8 9 The Farewell

In this darkly-comedic, yet uplifting tale, Chinese-born, Deep in an isolated mountain range within the Balkans, Hatidze American-raised Billi (Awkwafina) finds out that her “Nai- Muratova lives with her ailing mother. The last in a long line of Nai” has tragically been diagnosed with lung cancer. Macedonian wild beekeepers, she ekes out a living collecting Although the whole family knows their beloved matriarch honey. When a neighbouring family moves in and tries to do the is terminally ill, everyone has decided not to tell Nai Nai same, it becomes a source of tension when they disregard her herself. To spend her final moments together, they gather age-old wisdom and advice—making a series of shortsighted under the joyful guise of an expedited wedding, uniting decisions that could destroy her way of life forever. family members scattered around the globe in this poignant drama that marries cultural specificity with universally Winner of the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary Film at relatable themes. the Sundance Film Festival 2019 Thu 21 Nov / 5.30 PM / VOX / QR 35 Thu 21 Nov / 6.00 PM / NOVO / QR 35 Director: Ljubomir Stefanov, Tamara Kotevska Fri 22 Nov / 5.30 PM / NOVO / QR 35 Winner of the Audience Favourite Award at the Sundance Sat 23 Nov / 6:00 PM / VOX / QR 35 / Turkish / 2019 / 85 mins Film Festival: London 2019 Director: Lulu Wang USA, China / English, Mandarin / 2019 / 98 mins Jacob, Mimmi and the Talking Dogs For Sama Jacob dreams of becoming an architect, just like his busy dad, A love letter from a young mother to her daughter, the film and spends most of his time drawing buildings. But when his tells the story of Waad al-Kateab’s life through five years of father needs to go out of town on a business trip, Jacob must the uprising in Aleppo, . We witness her fall in love, get spend a week with his bossy cousin Mimmi. When the pair married and give birth to Sama, all while cataclysmic conflict discover that a businessman plans to transform a local parkland rises around her. Her camera captures incredible stories of into skyscrapers, they know they must save the area—and find loss, laughter and survival as Waad wrestles with an impossible unexpected help from a pack of local dogs that can talk! choice—whether or not to flee the city to protect her daughter’s life, when leaving means abandoning the struggle Winner of The Golden Butterfly for Best Animation at the for freedom for which she has already sacrificed so much. International Film Festival for Children and Youth 2019 (Isfahan) Wed 20 Nov / 5.30 PM / NOVO / QR 35 Director: Edmunds Jansons Wed 20 Nov / 6.00 PM / NOVO / QR 35 Winner of the Golden Eye Documentary Prize at the Cannes Sat 23 Nov / 2.30 PM / VOX / QR 35 Latvia, Poland / Latvian / 2019 / 70 mins Sat 23 Nov / 5.30 PM / VOX / QR 35 Film Festival 2019 Director: Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts Syria, UK / Arabic, English / 2019 / 95 mins Jean-Michel Othoniel, Artiste Enchanteur Give Me Liberty From drawings to sculpture, installation to performance, Vic, a hapless young Russian-American, drives a transport bus Jean-Michel Othoniel exists in a universe of multiple for the disabled in Milwaukee. He’s late today, but it’s not his contours. In this fascinating documentary, we gain an insight fault. Roads are closed for a protest, and no one else can shuttle into the creative process of the internationally-acclaimed his grandfather and a dozen elderly Russians to a funeral. The French contemporary artist and explore the inspiration new route uproots his scheduled clients, particularly Tracy, a behind his largest sculpture built to date, ‘Alfa’, which takes vibrant young woman with ALS. As the day goes from hectic pride of place outside the National Museum of Qatar. The to off-the-rails, their collective ride becomes a comical and screening will be followed by an insightful talk with the artist endearing portrait of American dreams and disenchantment. himself.

Winner of the Golden Strands Award for Outstanding Ensemble Fri 22 Nov / 7.00 PM / K16-OH / QR 35 Director: Philippe Lanfranchi, Stéphane Rossi Thu 21 Nov / 9.00 PM / NOVO / QR 35 Cast at the Tallgrass International Film Festival 2019 France / French / 2019 / 52 mins Fri 22 Nov / 6.00 PM / NOVO / QR 35 Director: Kirill Mikhanovsky USA / English, Russian / 2019 / 111 mins

10 11 Land of Ashes To the Ends of the Earth Doha Film Institute Supported Film

Selva lives in a Caribbean coastal town. After the abrupt A young Japanese woman named Yoko finds her cautious disappearance of her only motherly figure, the thirteen-year- nature tested when she travels to Uzbekistan to shoot old girl is left alone to take care of her elderly grandfather, the latest episode of a travel variety show. An upbeat and who doesn’t want to live anymore. Between mysterious outgoing pro on camera, Yoko in her private life is a more shadows and wild games, she debates whether or not to help complex and introverted character. Deftly dealing with a her grandfather achieve his desire, even though this might series of culture-clashes and misunderstandings, ‘To the mean going through her last moments of childhood alone. Ends of the Earth’ is an intimate portrait of someone cast A tender and humane coming-of-age story, the film plays on into a foreign land and struggling to find their bearings. the edge between adolescence and maturity, life and death. Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa Tue 19 Nov / 9.00 PM / NOVO / QR 35 Director: Sofía Quirós Ubeda Wed 20 Nov / 5.30 PM / VOX / QR 35 Japan, Uzbekistan, Qatar / Japanese, Uzbek / 2019 / Wed 20 Nov / 9.00 PM / NOVO / QR 35 Costa Rica, Argentina, Chile, France / Thu 21 Nov / 5.30 PM / NOVO / QR 35 120 mins Spanish / 2019 / 82 mins

Sorry We Missed You You Will Die at Twenty Doha Film Institute Supported Film

A gritty and impassioned portrait of a delivery driver and his On the day of her firstborn’s naming ceremony, a mother family as they struggle to make ends meet in modern-day seeks out a travelling holy man to bless her son Muzamel, England. Devastated by the 2008 financial crisis and now but is instead told that the boy will die at the tender age of unable to save enough for a mortgage, both Ricky and his twenty. Unable to take the ramifications of the prophecy, his wife are forced into ‘zero-hour’ contract work. The couples’ father leaves to work in neighbouring Ethiopia. Continuously jobs are void of any real employment benefits or security and reminded of his predestined fate growing up, young the strain this puts on them is palpable as they attempt to Muzamel is coddled almost to the point of suffocation by his keep their family together on a tight-rope budget. overprotective mother. Until Suliman, a cinematographer opens a window onto a whole new world for Muzamel, and Winner of the Audience Award for Best European Film at the slowly, he comes to doubt the veracity of the prophecy. Wed 20 Nov / 8.30 PM / VOX / QR 35 San Sebastián International Film Festival 2019 Wed 20 Nov / 8.30 PM / NOVO / QR 35 Fri 22 Nov / 8.30 PM / NOVO / QR 35 Director: Ken Loach Sat 23 Nov / 8.30 PM / VOX / QR 35 Winner of the Luigi De Laurentiis Award for a Debut Film at UK, France, Belgium / English / 2019 / 100 mins the 2019 Director: Amjad Abu Alala Sudan, France, Egypt, Germany, Norway, Qatar / Talking About Trees Doha Film Institute Supported Film Arabic / 2019 / 105 mins

Ibrahim, Suleiman, Manar and Altayeb are founding members of the ‘Sudanese Film Group’. Friends for over four decades, The Wizard of Oz Special Kids’ Red Carpet Screening but after years apart due to exile, the quartet of filmmakers are reunited and rekindle their dream of bringing cinema to the A cherished childhood favourite for many around the world, masses in their home country of Sudan. From the rubble of their ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is a perennial fantasy musical from MGM’s wounded nation’s film industry, and using whatever materials golden years of cinema. During a fierce tornado, Dorothy is are on hand, the four intrepid friends attempt to restore their whisked to Oz, a land of pure imagination. Her journey there country’s cultural history through the power of film. will take her through emerald forests, yellow brick roads, and creepy castles, all with the help of some unusual but earnest Winner of the Panorama Audience and Glashütte Original - song-happy friends. As resonant today as it was then, this Tue 19 Nov / 5.30 PM / NOVO / QR 35 Documentary Awards at the Berlin International masterpiece is a must-see film for young and old. Fri 22 Nov / 5.30 PM / VOX / QR 35 Film Festival 2019 Director: Suhaib Gasmelbari Director: Victor Fleming France, Sudan, Germany, Chad, Qatar / Arabic, English, Fri 22 Nov / 3.00 PM / VOX / QR 35 USA / English / 1939 / 102 mins Russian / 2019 / 94 mins

12 13 Made in Qatar Programme 1

Presented by Ooredoo Tue 19 Nov / 8.00 PM / K16-DT / QR 35 Thu 21 Nov / 8.30 PM / NOVO / QR 35

Once again, the Ajyal Film Festival Short is pleased to celebrate the exciting state of filmmaking in Qatar. This year, some of the chosen shorts were shot internationally, attesting to the ever-expanding influence of our burgeoning film industry. The two programmes presented feature a selection of compelling short narratives, documentaries Films and thoughtful essays. End of the Road Socotra – The Invisible Island Doha Film Institute Supported Film Munir is eager to make it home to Falling Leaves Socotra – The Invisible celebrate his daughter’s birthday. But A brother guides his younger sister Island after a mysterious man appears on the through the inner workings of their A sombre look at the often-overlooked road, he is torn between being a good unusual family business—embalming island of Socotra, situated 400 km Samaritan or a good father. dead bodies. off the coast of Yemen. Suffering the Director: Ahmad Al-Sharif Director: Dimitri Yuri indirect consequences of the conflict, Qatar / Urdu / 2019 / 12 mins Qatar / English / 2019 / 9 mins the island is facing a devastating environmental crisis. Tick Tock Refuge Director: Ching Siew Hua In a university in Sudan, Ahmed is An insightful short about two Qatar / Arabic, English / 2019 / 10 mins elected president of the student Palestinian expats connection to their body. Discovering the administration homeland, and the ways they try to The Black Veil is corrupt; he is left with a troubling stay close to their identity, history and Doha Film Institute Supported Film ethical decision. culture. Many women around the world suffer Director: Awad Karrar Director: Maha Essid under oppression; this is the story of Qatar / Arabic / 2019 / 14 mins Qatar / Arabic, English / 2019 / 6 mins one woman who puts her life at risk to find her freedom. The Artist: Yacoub Missi F-57 Director: A.J. Al-Thani Syrian painter and sculptor, Yacoub A profoundly unsettling short about Qatar / Arabic / 2019 / 17 mins Missi, recalls the inspirations that led the nefarious power of social media— him to pursue his passion for art. disturbed IT genius Yousef, targets kids Fragile Director: Tony El Ghazal in his wicked online game. Doha Film Institute Supported Film Qatar / Arabic / 2018 / 5 mins Director: Abdulanaser Hassan A ceramic girl who lives in a valley Al Yafei surrounded by mountains makes a In the Middle Qatar / Arabic / 2018 / 10 mins leap of faith in a beautiful, but perilous Doha Film Institute Supported Film adventure of self-discovery and Forced to pick up arms, Ali is stuck reinvention. between his crushed dreams and the Director: Kholood Al-Ali harsh reality of the ongoing war in Qatar / No dialogue / 2019 / 11 mins Yemen. Director: Mariam Al-Dubhani Yemen, Qatar / Arabic / 2019 / 14 mins 14 15 Made in Qatar Programme 2 Feel

Presented by Ooredoo Sat 23 Nov / 12.30 PM / VOX / QR 20 Wed 20 Nov / 8.00 PM / K16-DT / QR 35 Fri 22 Nov / 8.30 PM / VOX / QR 35 We each have an innate sense of the world. Sometimes this comes The Unlucky Hamster Ana Bas Ghassan’s Green Door from experience, and other times Doha Film Institute Supported Film Egyptian rapper, Ammar Abouelghar Ghassan Hajar, an avid collector of it is an inherent feeling. In this The hilarious misadventures of (Mvrs), organizes his first-ever album antiques, opens his heart and famous programme, we explore the power Fluffy—a cute hamster in a pet shop release event while trying to balance green door to share with us some of of such intuition. dreaming of a new home. But his his personal life and career. the incredible pieces he has collected dream soon turns into a nightmare Director: Tony El Ghazal, over the years. Belles étoiles when a mysterious man adopts him. Ayah Awartani Director: Lubna Mohsin, In this heart-warming tribute to Director: Abdulaziz Mohammed Qatar / English, Arabic / 2019 / 7 mins Munera AlDosari friendship, Jeanne and Ami form an Khashabi Qatar / Arabic / 2019 / 7 mins unlikely bond after they both share the Qatar, Indonesia / No dialogue / 2019 Beit Byoot experience of feeling isolated at school. Belles étoiles / 6 mins Doha Film Institute Supported Film Oh Ya Maal Director: Naïma Di Piero, Set in a dystopian dollhouse, little Aboard a “Sinbook”, the iconic Elhadj Sidibe The Stained Club Child of the Earth Revive the Lira’s Glory Jameela seeks the acceptance of dhow boat, the film takes viewers France / French / 2017 / 12 mins Finn has mysterious stains on his skin. A warm and intimate portrait of one A young Lebanese artist paints two mean girls. But when she meets on a journey to discover Qatar’s One day, he meets a group of kids who young man’s journey beyond the portraits of national icons on his Yasmine, she must ultimately choose rich maritime heritage, the festival Like an Elephant in share the same inexplicable spots and confines of his disability, to outer space country’s banknotes in an effort to between being odd and fitting in. of “Mahamel”, and the process of a China Shop they form a special bond. and beyond. metaphorically give them back their Director: Mayar Hamdan manufacturing traditional fishing boats. Out of nowhere, a giant elephant Director: Mélanie Lopez, Simon Director: Claudio Fäh value. Jordan, Qatar / Arabic / 2019 / 10 mins Director: Majdy Naeem Al-Sukhnii suddenly appears among the shelves Boucly, Marie Ciesielski, Alice Switzerland, USA / English / 2018 / 12 Director: Alessandra El Chanti Qatar / Arabic / 2019 / 18 mins of a china shop. How will the nervous Jaunet, Chan Stéphie Peang, mins Lebanon, Qatar / Arabic, English / Maha’mel shopkeeper deal with his unexpected Béatrice Viguier 2019 / 4 mins A silent study on the precision Beyond Boundaries guest? France / French / 2018 / 7 mins The Kite engineering and expert craftsmanship A documentary exploring the cricket Director: Louise Chevrier, Luka A heartfelt and charmingly animated Desert Bounty that is involved in the creation of scene in Doha, and how the much- Fischer, Rodolphe Groshens, Marie Beit Byoot tale about a boy and his grandfather as In need of water to heal her mother, Qatar’s iconic Dhow boats. beloved sport manages to transcend Guillon, Estelle Martinez, Benoit Doha Film Institute Supported Film they share precious, fleeting moments a young girl’s journey in the Arabian Director: Dhabya AlMuhannadi national borders. Paillard, Lisa Rasasombat Set in a dystopian dollhouse, little together flying a kite. desert takes a riveting turn when a Qatar / No dialogue / 2018 / 6 mins Director: Hemanth Madupu France / No dialogue / 2017 / 6 mins Jameela seeks the acceptance of Director: Martin Smatana mysterious stranger appears. Qatar, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, two mean girls. But when she meets Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland / No Director: Yassine Ouahrani Paper Kite Pakistan / Arabic, English / 2019 / Hedgehog Yasmine, she must ultimately choose Dialogue / 2019 / 13 mins Qatar / Arabic / 2019 / 11 mins Doha Film Institute Supported Film 4 mins A young boy is fascinated by a family of between being odd and fitting in. In a strict catholic school, two girls go hedgehogs that lives in his garden, and Director: Mayar Hamdan Paper Kite Batch 10 on a kite-making mission, but they talks incessantly about them at every Jordan, Qatar / Arabic / 2019 / 10 mins Doha Film Institute Supported Film ‘Batch 10’ is an enlightening look at soon find themselves in trouble with chance he gets. In a strict catholic school, two girls go the military service in Qatar. Following the school nuns. Director: Vaibhav Keswani, Jeanne The Unlucky Hamster on a kite-making mission, but they two recruits, the film shows how the Director: Nada Bedair Laureau, Colombine Majou, Doha Film Institute Supported Film soon find themselves in trouble with experience has positively impacted Qatar / Arabic / 2019 / 7 mins Morgane Mattard, Kaisa Pirttinen, The hilarious misadventures of the school nuns. them on a personal level, despite the and Jong-ha Yoon Fluffy—a cute hamster in a pet shop Director: Nada Bedair difficulties they endured. Doubled France / English / 2018 / 5 mins dreaming of a new home. But his Qatar / Arabic / 2019 / 7 mins Director: Sana Al-Ansari A personal and inspiring portrait of a dream soon turns into a nightmare Qatar / Arabic, English / 2019 / 8 mins student as she tenaciously pursues her Maha’mel (Ships) when a mysterious man adopts him. academic dreams, travelling between A silent study on the precision Director: Abdulaziz Mohammed her home of Damascus and Doha. engineering and expert craftsmanship Khashabi Director: Rana Al Khouli that is involved in the creation of Qatar, Indonesia / No dialogue / Qatar / Arabic / 2018 / 16 mins Qatar’s iconic Dhow boats. 2019 / 6 mins Director: Dhabya AlMuhannadi Qatar / No dialogue / 2018 / 6 mins

16 17 Overcome Experience

Sat 23 Nov / 3.00 PM / VOX / QR 20 Fri 22 Nov / 9.00 PM / VOX / QR 20

Success is the child of Some things in life cannot be perseverance, and this selection taught—they must be experienced. of shorts is a testament to the This short programme showcases ability of people to overcome how valuable lessons can be learnt, any obstacles in pursuit of their even in hardship. dreams. Patision Avenue Layla In this enthralling short captured in Layla is a 60-year-old Syrian Refugee, Esperança one breakneck shot—Yanni’s mum who balances working at the is on her way to audition for a role local funfair with looking after her Maradona’s Legs The Helmet as Shakespeare’s Viola, when she granddaughter. One day she meets During the 1990 World Cup, two Caught in the middle of the conflict in discovers that her young son has been In the Middle Femi, a young boy who teaches her to young Palestinian boys are looking for Yemen— a tech genius dreams up an left home alone. skateboard. “Maradona’s Legs”—the last missing invention that he hopes will help him Director: Thanasis Neofotistos Ambience Threads Director: Celine Cotran sticker they need to complete their escape his harsh reality. Greece / Greek / 2018 / 13 mins Struggling to find a quiet place to Academy Award-winning director UK / English, Arabic / 2019 / 18 mins World Cup album. Director: Osama Khaled record their album, two aspiring Torill Kove explores the beauty and Director: Firas Khoury Yemen / Arabic / 2019 / 9 mins Ostrich Politic musicians embrace the chaotic sounds complexity of parental love, the bonds Story Germany, Palestine / Arabic / 2019 / In a society made entirely of Ostriches, of their environment and turn it into that we form over time, and the ways In the age of omnipresent technology, 23 mins Memo the inhabitants have a penchant for beautifully haunting music. in which they stretch and shape us. where the virtual seeps into reality—a Louis, an elderly retired man, resists regularly burying their heads. This Director: Wisam Al Jafari Director: Torill Kove young girl observes the world through Esperança the overprotection of his daughter behaviour seems reasonable, almost Palestine / Arabic / 2019 / 15 mins Canada, Norway / No dialogue / 2017 a social media platform. In this heartfelt animated documentary, Nina in this visually illuminating instinctual, until the inquisitive / 9 mins Director: Jolanta Bańkowska fifteen-year-old Esperança recounts portrayal of the struggles of living with phylogeneticist, Dr. Kays proves For the Sake of Yousef Poland / English / 2019 / 5 mins how she and her mother fled Angola dementia. otherwise. Yousef’s mother is getting ready to In the Middle to France. Arriving at Amiens station, Director: Julien Becquer, Éléna Director: Mohamad HouHou watch the aptly named horror ‘Run for Forced to pick up arms, Ali is stuck Youth the pair begin to make the best of their Dupressoir, Jules Durand, Viviane France / English / 2018 / 6 mins your Life’. As events unfold on-screen, between his crushed dreams and the A teenager finds herself in new new home. Guimarães, Ines Scheiber the impressionable young Yousef harsh reality of the ongoing war in territory after she approaches a boy at Director: Cécile Rousset, Jeanne France / French / 2017 / 5 mins It’s a Long Way From begins to imagine them happening to Yemen. a social event. When they end up alone, Paturle, Benjamin Serero Amphioxus him. Director: Mariam Al-Dubhani she is pushed to consider her own France / French / 2019 / 5 mins Refuge In the dimly lit immigration centres Director: Yousef Al Baqshi Yemen, Qatar / Arabic / 2019 / 14 mins boundaries for the first time. An insightful short about two of Berlin, with only the glowing red Kuwait / Arabic / 2019 / 5 mins Director: Farida Zahran Fault Line Palestinian expats connection to their numbers of the queue-management End of the Road Egypt, USA / Arabic / 2018 / 11 mins Nahal is an Iranian schoolgirl who homeland, and the ways they try to system shining brightly, people The Black Veil Munir is eager to make it home to must create a new version of the stay close to their identity, history and patiently wait. Doha Film Institute Supported Film celebrate his daughter’s birthday. But Thermostat 6 truth after she breaks her arm in a culture. Director: Kamal Aljafari Many women around the world suffer after a mysterious man appears on the Diane and her family have a troubling motorcycle accident. Director: Maha Essid Germany / Arabic / 2019 / 17 mins under oppression; this is the story of road, he is torn between being a good leaky roof. As they continue with Director: Soheil Amirsharifi Qatar / Arabic, English / 2019 / 6 mins one woman who puts her life at risk to Samaritan or a good father. life under this rapidly worsening Iran / Persian / 2018 / 15 mins Aziza find her freedom. Director: Ahmad Al-Sharif situation, we soon come to realise it is Fragile A Syrian refugee teaches his wife to Director: A.J. Al-Thani Qatar / Urdu / 2019 / 12 mins something more serious. Half and Half Doha Film Institute Supported Film drive in the one thing he has left in the Qatar / Arabic / 2019 / 17 mins Director: Maya Av-ron, Mylène Clovis the knight wakes up to a serious A ceramic girl who lives in a valley world—his beloved Volkswagen Beetle. Cominotti, Marion Coudert, problem—he’s been vertically cut in surrounded by mountains makes a But the lesson soon takes a wrong turn Sixtine Dano two! After becoming stuck to a knight leap of faith in a beautiful, but perilous into comedy and nostalgia. France / French / 2018 / 4 mins from the opposing side, the two men adventure of self-discovery and Director: Soudade Kaadan must now work together. reinvention. Lebanon, Syria / Arabic / 2019 / Director: Baptiste Drapeau Director: Kholood Al-Ali 13 mins France / French / 2018 / 9 mins Qatar / No dialogue / 2019 / 11 mins

18 19 Wonder & Under the Moonlight Cine-Concert

Ajyal is thrilled to welcome back the Get the Moon A Little Star ever-popular Forum des Images to A little man climbs up a ladder to reach It’s Christmas Eve, and a family of present the Qatar premiere of their the moon. It falls from the sky, and stars are playing in the sky when the latest cine-concert. In a delightful they begin to play together. youngest falls to the ground. How will musical show full of sweetness and Director: Jutta Schünemann it get back to its brothers and sisters? dreams, five short films tell tales of Germany / 2004 / 5 mins Director: Svetlana Andrianova the stars, sun and moon, and all the Russia / 2014 / 6 mins creatures that look up to them. The Sooner or Later series will be accompanied by live A squirrel lives in the daytime, while a Little Wolf musicians and is truly a feast for all bat lives at night. When they become A family of little wolves have fun the senses! friends, the pair try to get day and reaching for the moon and playing with night to come together. the stars. Director: Jadwiga Kowalska Director: An Vrombaut Switzerland / 2007 / 5 mins UK / 1993 / 5 mins

Lunette A diligent wolf pushes the moon across the mountains and into the sky to beckon in the dawn of a new day. Director: Phoebe Warries UK / 2016 / 3 mins

Cat Lake City

Sat 23 Nov / 11.30 AM / K16-DT / Kuap Wings FREE – Please reserve a ticket for After an adorable tadpole is seemingly A young boy accidentally gets his admission left behind in the rush to become a model aircraft stuck in a tree. Inspired frog—he learns that there is still so by a passing pilot, he plucks up the Wonder is the beginning of wisdom, much for him to discover in his pond. courage to face his fear of heights and and in this family-friendly selection Director: Nils Hedinger rescue his plane. of shorts, we show how these seeds Switzerland / No dialogue / 2018 / Director: Christoffer Andersen of knowledge can be nurtured from a 8 mins France / No Dialogue / 2017 / 4 mins young age. White Crow Cat Lake City Sloth Little White Crow is gawked at and A dream vacation to ‘Cat Lake City’ A laid-back sloth decides to buy an ice- ridiculed by her flock for being different. doesn’t go quite as planned for one cream one sunny day. But his leisurely But when pollution causes turbulent fatigued feline. As relaxing by the lake pace proves to be a big problem, as he changes in their environment, she on his beloved towel proves to more can’t seem to taste his refreshing treat helps them find a new home. stressful than expected. quick enough! Director: Miran Miošić Director: Antje Heyn Director: Julia Ocker Croatia / No dialogue / 2018 / 9 mins Germany / No Dialogue / 2019 / Germany / No dialogue / 2018 / 7 mins 4 mins

Sooner or Later

20 21 Made in India

Ooredoo ONE Thu 21 Nov / 8.30 PM / K16-OH / QR 35

Fastest internet, best entertainment, To celebrate the ‘Qatar-India 2019 Year of Culture’, Ajyal in smart Wi-Fi, and unlimited calls… partnership with the Mumbai Academy of Moving Images (MAMI), all in ONE is proud to present a selection of contemporary short films from up-and-coming Indian directors. Curated by the Mumbai Film Festival’s programme coordinator, Kalpana Nair, the shorts offer us an insight into modern India and are a testament to the country’s vibrant filmmaking heritage.

Grandfather A heartwarming tale about love, Grandfather friendship and the everlasting companionship of two soulmates—a Batti Vacancy little girl and her “Baaje” (grandfather). Young Batti ekes out a living cleaning Durgesh Kumar is going for a very Director: Umashankar Nair, cars and selling literature on Mumbai’s unusual kind of interview. There is a Gaiti Siddiqui trains. One day, he is challenged by an “vacancy”, but quite a lot of competition India / Hindi, Nepali / 2018 / 11 mins irksome passenger to read from one of for it. his own books. Director: Anurag B. Worlikar Apna Apna Andaz Director: Akshay Sarjerao Danavale India / English, Hindi / 2017 / 5 mins After their tickets to a much- India / Hindi / 2019 / 5 mins anticipated film are stolen, a pair of The Thought of You teenage boys seek the help of the Hey Ram! An unassuming dinner party turns to local police to recover them from the We live in a society of different tragedy after a jealous wife and her thieves. opinions, faiths and beliefs. Inspired husband continue their heated fight on Director: Avishkar Bharadwaj by actual events, ‘Hey Ram’ is an the drive home. India / Hindi / 2019 / 5 mins example of what happens when these Director: Ahmed Roy differences are used as a basis for India / English / 2014 / 15 mins Steam persecution. A silent but contemplative film, ‘Bhaap’ Director: Yashwardhan Goswami portrays the harsh reality of the subtle India / Hindi / 2019 / 5 mins normalisation of patriarchy in the life of many women living in India. Director: Harsh Hudda India / Hindi / 2019 / 5 mins

Mother Promise After his mischievous cousin casually swears on his own mother’s life during a cricket match, naive young Soham fears for his aunt’s safety all weekend. Director: Gautam Vaze India / Marathi / 2017 / 15 mins

22 23 Made in Qatar: An Inclusive Experience

Thu 21 Nov / 7.30 PM / K16-DT / FREE – Reserve a ticket for admission

Working in partnership with the An Translation and Interpreting Institute of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Hamad bin Khalifa University, we are once again honoured to bring the magic of cinema to everyone through an inclusive screening experience.

Inclusive Visually impaired audiences will be able to view the film through sound alone, with audio description of those visual elements that cannot 1001 Days be understood through voice, music or sound effects. While our viewers Treasures of the Past Fragile who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or have A charming documentary about Doha Film Institute Supported Film difficulty understanding speech will three cheerful and engaging Qatari A ceramic girl who lives in a valley Experience benefit from enriched subtitles in grandmothers who have spent their surrounded by mountains makes Arabic and English, as well as sign- lives putting food on their families’ a leap of faith in a beautiful, but language interpretation. tables through their handiwork. perilous adventure of self-discovery Director: Rawan Al-Nassiri, and reinvention. By adapting the film to the needs of Nada Bedair Director: Kholood Al-Ali audiences with different abilities, we Qatar / Arabic / 2017 / 8 mins Qatar / No dialogue / 2019 / 11 mins hope to make cinema universally accessible. This year’s inclusive 1001 Days Sh’hab screening features a hand-picked Doha Film Institute Supported Film Doha Film Institute Supported Film selection of compelling works by local Imagining a story behind the In the old village of Al Wakrah, a filmmakers. famous fable, this short follows mischievous 8-year-old girl would do Sheherezade—a heroic storyteller who anything to spend time with her father fights for her independence, dignity and older brother at sea. and freedom. Director: Amal Al-Muftah Director: Aisha Al-Jaidah Qatar / Arabic / 2018 / 13 mins Qatar / Arabic / 2017 / 12 mins

Amer: An Arabian Legend Doha Film Institute Supported Film In the world of Arabian horse racing, there’s one name that everyone knows, “Amer”—the desert bred stallion who almost single-handedly placed Qatar at the top of the sport. Director: Jassim Al-Rumaihi Qatar / Arabic, English, French / 2016 / 23 mins

24 25 SONY The Iron Giant Cinema Under

Fri 22 Nov / 7.00 PM / MIA-SC / FREE – Limited Seating A giant metal robot falls to Earth in the 1950s, terrifying the local townspeople. The mysterious machine befriends a nine-year-old boy named Hogarth who must save it from the prejudices of the community and a paranoid government agent intent on destroying the alien visitor. Based on the The Stars 1968 story, ‘Iron Man’ by the British poet laureate Ted Hughes—the film is an endearing family adventure that counteracts the fear of the unknown with the power of childlike imagination.

Director: Brad Bird USA / English / 1999 / 90 mins

26 27 DXB000451-QNTC- Press ad 19x25cm 14-10-19.pdf 1 10/14/19 12:13

SONY Cinema Under The Stars: Short Film Programme

Thu 21 Nov / 7.00 PM / MIA-SC / FREE – Limited Seating

This programme features highlights of films presented in previous Made in Qatar competitions.

Al-Johara Doha Film Institute Supported Film Every fairytale has a reality. ‘Al- Johara’ is a Qatari take on the classic Cinderella fairytale accentuating Arabic traditions with a modern twist. Director: Nora Al-Subai Makh’bz Qatar / Arabic / 2016 / 26 mins Smicha Kashta Al Muqana3 Seven-year-old Lulwa dotes on her Doha Film Institute Supported Film Every afternoon, Ahmed Al Jaber ageing, senile grandfather, showing Out in the desert, a man teaches his leaves his majlis to drive one of his that love is not found in blurry details, sons how to hunt. Frustration leads breathtakingly designed vehicles— but in a powerful bond that never to an apparently harmless struggle adorned with flags, golden ornaments fades. between the two brothers—but their and lights. Director: Amal Al-Muftah carelessness brings about sudden Director: Tarek Abu-Esber Qatar / Arabic / 2016 / 15 mins disaster. Qatar / Arabic, English / 2012 / 6 mins Director: A.J. Al-Thani The Fishermen Qatar / Arabic / 2016 / 11 mins Where Are You Right Set in present-day Doha, we follow Meow? three humble fishermen as they set Voices from the Ayako’s cat, Beru, goes missing one sail on a quest to catch fish to sell at a Urbanscape day. Searching far and wide, Beru is local market. Doha Film Institute Supported Film not the only one that ends up lost. Will Director: Obada Yousef Jarbi A poetic, observational documentary Ayako find Beru and her way home? Qatar / Arabic, English / 2017 / 16 mins of Doha and how the ongoing Director: Maysam Al-Ani construction are a constant in the Qatar / No dialogue / 2018 / 6 mins Makh’bz city’s landscape and therefore its Following the stages of the personality. The Palm Tree breadmaking process—‘Makh’bz’ is Director: Shaima Al Tamimi, In a sterile lab, sprouts are a stunning meditation on the time, Mariam Salim methodically planted, their growth energy and skilled craft that go into Qatar / Arabic, Bengali, English, observed and tracked in this providing Doha with its daily bread. Spanish / 2017 / 6 mins observational documentary that shows Director: Aisha Al Muhannadi us how unnatural nature can be, and Qatar / No dialogue / 2015 / 4 mins unearths the science fiction in reality. Director: Jassim Al-Rumaihi Qatar / No dialogue / 2015 / 14 mins

28 29 Geekdom In partnership with Qatar National Tourism Council

Geekdom returns to Ajyal with another unmissable celebration of all things pop-culture. Prepare for combat in our nail-biting video game tournaments, or come dressed as your favourite characters in our fun cosplay competitions. Ajyal We are also delighted to present a selection of animated cult-classics this year. So whatever you’re a fanboy or fangirl of—Geekdom has something for you!

Katara Buildings 18 & 19 Entrance is free

19-21 Nov, 23 Nov / 10:00 AM–10:00 PM Creativity 22 Nov / 2:00 PM–10:00 PM

ARC An Exhibition by Doha Film Institute

Behind every great story is a compelling story arc. The word “ARC” itself is a literary term for the path a narrative follows. It serves as a backbone by providing a clear beginning, middle, and end. This year’s exhibition celebrates the ‘Art of Hub Storytelling’—a fundamental aspect of human nature. The artworks are displayed chronologically through a three-act structure, dividing them into distinct parts—the setup, the confrontation, and the resolution.

Katara Building 19, Gallery 1 Entrance is free 19-21 Nov, 23 Nov / 10:00 AM–10:00 PM 22 Nov / 2:00 PM–10:00 PM

Ajyal Tunes

At Ajyal, we love to support artists from every discipline. This year, we turn a spotlight on our underground local music scene by bringing together Qatar-based performers and internationally acclaimed musicians. Bring your friends and chill with the artists over the weekend at one of our intimate community gatherings. Exclusive line-up will be announced soon. Stay tuned!

Ajyal Jurors’ Hub Entrance is free 21-23 Nov

30 31 Geekdom Screenings

The Secret World of Arrietty At Novo Cinemas, loyalty has its rewards Join our loyalty program and earn points on every QAR spent Arrietty, a four-inch-tall teenager, lives with her parents in the recesses of a suburban home, unbeknownst to the As a Novo Premiere Club member you’ll get: homeowner and housekeeper. Like others of her kind, Arrietty remains hidden from humans, but occasionally ventures forth from beneath the floorboards to borrow sugar . Access to exclusive movie premieres . Free movie experience upgrades cubes and other supplies. A secret friendship forms when 12-year-old Shawn meets Arrietty, but their relationship . Points on all purchases at Novo Cinemas . Concierge services for 7-Star members could spell danger for Arrietty’s family. . Discount on movie tickets . Bonus points on concession purchases

Directors: Hiromasa Yonebayashi ‘Kari-gurashi no Arietti’ / Japan / Japanese, English, Tue 19 Nov / 4:00 PM / K18-GC / FREE – Limited Seating French / 2010 / 95 mins

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Teen Miles Morales becomes the Spider-Man of his reality, crossing paths with five counterparts from other dimensions to stop a threat to the entire multiverse. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the creative minds behind ‘The Lego Movie’ and ‘21 Jump Street’, bring their unique talents to a fresh vision of Spider-Man, with a ground-breaking visual style that’s the first of its kind. The film combines bold storytelling with striking animation and the limitless possibilities of the Spider-Verse—where more than one can wear the mask.

Wed 20 Nov / 4:00 PM / K18-GC / FREE – Directors: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Limited Seating Rodney Rothman USA / English / 2018 / 117 mins

Anastasia A special sing‑along screening

Following Rasputin’s curse on the Romanovs, little Anastasia is separated from her grandmother, the Dowager Empress Maria. After growing up in an orphanage, Anastasia emerges as a young woman called Anya. With no clear memory of her youth, Anya encounters entrepreneurs who seek an Anastasia look-alike in hopes of collecting a reward in Paris from the aged Dowager Empress. Beautiful animation, an affable take on Russian history, and strong voice performances make Anastasia a winning first film from Fox animation studios. Not a Novo Loyalty member? Simply scan the QR code to sign up now Thu 21 Nov / 4:00 PM / K18-GC / FREE – Limited Seating Directors: Don Bluth, Gary Goldman USA / Arabic / 1997 / 94 mins

32 33

NOVO_AJYAL MAG AD_20191009.indd 1 10/9/19 10:19 AM Ajyal at Novo Cinemas, The Pearl 22 November, 3:00 PM Ajyal at VOX Cinemas, Doha Festival City 23 November, 12:30 PM Children of the Sea (see page 9) ‘Feel’ Short Film Programme (see page 17) In partnership with Novo Cinemas, we are thrilled to bring As Ajyal continues to expand, we are excited to announce viewers another selection of screenings at their Pearl 22 November, 5:30 PM that this year, we have partnered with VOX Cinemas and will 23 November, 2:30 PM Theatre. The programme offers a variety of feature films The Farewell (see page 10) be showing a series of exclusive screenings at their Doha Jacob, Mimmi and the Talking Dogs (see page 11) from across the globe, as well as a slate of short films made Festival City theatre. The programme features a selection of right here in Qatar. 22 November, 6:00 PM acclaimed international and domestic films. 23 November, 3:00 PM Give Me Liberty (see page 10) ‘Overcome’ Short Film Programme (see page 18) All tickets for Ajyal screenings at Novo can be purchased at All tickets for Ajyal screenings at VOX can be purchased at Novo Cinemas, The Pearl’s box office or online. 22 November, 8:30 PM Ajyal Box Office at VOX Cinemas, Doha Festival City or online. 23 November, 5:30 PM Sorry We Missed You (see page 12) For Sama (see page 10) 19 November, 5:30 PM 19 November, 5:30 PM Talking About Trees (see page 12) 23 November, 2:30 PM 1982 (see page 8) 23 November, 6:00 PM Away (see page 9) Honeyland (see page 11) 19 November, 6:00 PM 19 November, 8:30 PM Away (see page 9) 23 November, 3:00 PM Bombay Rose (see page 9) 23 November, 8:30 PM The Arctic Camels (see page 8) You Will Die at Twenty (see page 13) 19 November, 8:30 PM 20 November, 5:30 PM It Must Be Heaven (see page 7) 23 November, 5:30 PM To the Ends of the Earth (see page 13) Ailo’s Journey (see page 8) 19 November, 9:00 PM 20 November, 8:30 PM Land of Ashes (see page 12) 23 November, 6:00 PM Sorry We Missed You (see page 12) Children of the Sea (see page 9) 20 November, 5:30 PM 21 November, 5:30 PM Jacob, Mimmi and the Talking Dogs (see page 11) 23 November, 8:30 PM The Farewell (see page 10) Bombay Rose (see page 9) 20 November, 6:00 PM 21 November, 6:00 PM For Sama (see page 10) Ailo’s Journey (see page 8)

20 November, 8:30 PM 21 November, 8:30 PM You Will Die at Twenty (see page 13) It Must Be Heaven (see page 7)

20 November, 9:00 PM 21 November, 9:00 PM Land of Ashes (see page 12) Bombay Rose (see page 9)

21 November, 5:30 PM 22 November, 3:00 PM To the Ends of the Earth (see page 13) The Wizard of Oz (see page 13)

21 November, 6:00 PM 22 November, 5:30 PM Honeyland (see page 11) Talking About Trees (see page 12)

21 November, 8:30 PM 22 November, 6:00 PM ‘Made in Qatar’ Shorts Programme 1 (see page 15) The Arctic Camels (see page 8) Presented by Ooredoo 22 November, 8:30 PM 21 November, 9:00 PM ‘Made in Qatar’ Shorts Programme 2 (see page 16) Give Me Liberty (see page 10) Presented by Ooredoo

22 November, 2:30 PM 22 November, 9:00 PM 1982 (see page 8) ‘Experience’ Short Film Programme (see page 19)

34 35 Doha Film Institute Film Ratings Guide language and/or profanity, graphic or persistent violence, horror, substance use and/or intimate adult situations All films exhibited by the Doha Film Institute are presented that may be inappropriate for minors. Parents are strongly in their original, uncut versions. Based on their content, films encouraged to find out more about the content of films are assigned approved ratings from the Ministry of Culture before deciding whether they are appropriate for their and Sports. children.

Viewer discretion is advised for all screenings and may Mature subject matter. Not suitable for minors. be guided by the rating system outlined below. Parental Individuals under the age of 18 are not admitted into guidance is advised in selecting films for young people at the cinemas. Ajyal Film Festival. Please note: Identification may be required as proof of age. Films may contain mature themes, coarse language, extreme One Address General Audience or graphic violence, horror and/or intimate adult situations Suitable for all audiences ages 4 and up. Films do not contain that are not suitable for those under the age of 18. Audiences Many Magnificent Experiences material that is inappropriate for children. are strongly encouraged to find out more about the content of films before deciding whether they wish to attend. Parental Guidance Overlooking the beautiful Arabian Gulf, with 336 rooms and suites, The St. Regis Doha Parental guidance is advised. Some material may be Tickets delivers a fusion of Middle Eastern splendor and traditional St. Regis hospitality. inappropriate for young children. Tickets on sale from Sunday, 3 November at 2PM. Parents should note that films may contain mature themes, strong language and/or depictions of violence. Prices Savor flavors from 12 signature restaurants & lounges, soothe away stress at the world- Opening Night Screening: QR 50 class Remède Spa, take a dip in the Olympic-size pool or enjoy the exclusive beach. The Parental Guidance under the age of 13 General Screening: QR 35 joy of leisure redefined by The St. Regis Doha. Parental guidance is advised for viewers under the age of 13. Feel, Overcome & Experience Short Film Programmes: QR 20 Individuals under the age of 13 are not admitted into cinemas unless accompanied by an individual aged 18 or older. Tickets are available for purchase 24 hours a day at Parents are cautioned that films may contain mature ajyalfilm.com themes, coarse language, violence and/or adult situations that may be inappropriate for those under the age of 13. Customers may purchase a maximum of six (6) tickets per Parents are strongly encouraged to find out more about screening per order. the content of films before deciding whether they are appropriate for their children. Culture Pass by Qatar Museums As a friend of the Ajyal Film Festival, Culture Pass by Qatar Parental Guidance under the age of 15 Museums is offering all Culture Pass holders a QR 5 discount Parental guidance is advised for viewers under the age of 15. on Short Film Screenings (Feel, Overcome & Experience), Individuals under the age of 15 are not admitted into cinemas and a QR 10 discount on all General and Opening Night unless accompanied by an individual over the age of 18. Screenings when they present their Culture Pass at a Festival Please note: Identification may be required as proof of age. ticket outlet. Parents are strongly cautioned that films may contain mature themes, coarse language, graphic violence, horror Discount tickets may only be purchased in person; Culture and/or intimate adult situations that may be inappropriate Pass holders may buy up to two (2) discounted tickets per for those under the age of 15. Parents are strongly screening. encouraged to find out more about the content of films before deciding whether they are appropriate for their All tickets subject to availability. children. The Culture Pass by Qatar Museums is only available through Mature subject matter. Qatar Museums. Please visit qm.org.qa for more details. May not be suitable for minors. Please note: Identification may be required as proof of age. Individuals under the age of 15 are not admitted into The St. Regis Doha, Al Gassar Resort cinemas. Parents are strongly cautioned that films may P.O. Box 14435, West Bay, Doha, Qatar contain mature themes, controversial subject matter, coarse stregisdoha.com 36 37 38 Cinemas will be sold from Novo Cinemas Box Office. Office. Box Cinemas Novo from sold be will Cinemas held at Novo screenings Film Festival Ajyal for Tickets 1:00 22–23 November 4:00 November 3–21 held at Vox screenings (for Ajyal Cinemas) Office, Box Cinemas Vox Ajyal time. event’s an to start hour prior one approximately Opens 19-23 November Building Katara 16 Office, Box Ajyal 2:00 2:00 18–23 November Building 10.Building Katara in located Office Main Box Ajyal is the location pickup preferred the During Festival, the hours. business during their scheduled outlets ticket at pickup Festival for Beginning available 4November, are online purchases ticket Call Will person. per ticket Note: guaranteed. isAdmission not availability. to is timesubject and start the minutes before five time. approximately begins Admission event’s start 45 the to minutes venue prior approximately event at the line aRush forms Sales in Katara, For screenings sold-out Rush Sales ( than Museum Islamicother of Art venues in Festival presented events and Free screenings Events and Screenings Free Ticket Outlets and Timings 2:00 2:00 3–17 November Building Katara Office, 10 Main Box Ajyal basis. afirst on Seating is available limited and tickets. require not do and free are Cinema Under Stars the Building 10).(Katara MIA at the screenings All Office Main Box at Ajyal online requested or reserved may be admission. 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Rush Sales are cash-only and are limited to one (1) one limited to are and cash-only are Rush Sales PM PM PM PM –10:00 PM –10:00 –10:00 PM –10:00 –8:00 PM –8:00 –10:00 PM –10:00 MIA ) Park, SONY ) Park, come, first-served ‑come, first-served Park, SONY Park, Cinema Cinema

Vox Cinemas, Doha Festival City ( City Vox Festival Cinemas, Doha Cinemas Vox Novo Cinemas, The Pearl ( Pearl Cinemas, The Novo Cinemas Novo basis. afirst-come, on available first-served admission. Seating for is limited and required not are tickets at this and venue is programming free, All Park. Islamic Art SONY (MIA-SC) Stars Cinema Under the SONY Park, Art Islamic of Museum • • • • • • • • • Doha Film Institute Ticket Policy event. or screening the time of start in scheduled line the to venue at the 30 minutes prior present To be must admission, holders all ticket guarantee Admission • Theatre. Drama Katara the and House Opera Building Katara the 16 both Katara houses 16 Building Katara Venues Screening Katara Drama Theatre (K16- Theatre Drama Katara All sales final. No refunds. No exchanges.reprints. No No final.refunds. No sales All at all events prohibited strictly and/or recording is all audio and video Any or photography event any or screening of time 30start minutes afterthe permitted is not and team venue the management of seating is discretion at the Late time start event or screening in scheduled line the to venue at the 30 minutes prior present To be must admission, holders all ticket guarantee restrictions age and policy FilmInstitute film Ratings Guide attendance for Film Doha the to refer Please screenings. Ajyal ticketed adult all an public to by accompanied under be must Children and 12 age of events. or screenings years Ajyal any to admitted 4will be of childrenNo age under the outlets at ticket sale for available only are tickets Discount admission grant not and/or does alone Abadge events. screenings access to aticket present must attendees All availability to subject tickets All Katara Opera House (K16- House Opera Katara Cinema Under the Stars is located at the Museum at the of is located Cinema Under Stars the NOVO OH DT ) ) ) X VO )

Monday, 18 November Tuesday, 19 November PM PM 8:00 9:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00

K16-DT It Must Be Heaven K16-DT Made in Qatar I 8:00 PM 8:00 pm France, Qatar, Germany, 108 mins Canada, Turkey, Palestine 97 mins

K16-OH It Must Be Heaven NOVo Talking About Trees It Must Be Heaven 8:00 PM 5:30 Pm 8:30 PM France, Qatar, Germany, UK, France, Belgium France, Qatar, Germany, Canada, Turkey, Palestine 94 mins Canada, Turkey, Palestine 97 mins 97 mins

NOVo Away Land Of Ashes 6:00 PM 9:00 PM Latvia Costa Rica, Argentina, 75 mins Chile, France 82 mins

VOX 1982 Bombay Rose 5:30 PM 8:30 PM Lebanon, USA, Norway, India, France, UK, Qatar Qatar 93 mins 100 mins

K18-GC The Secret World of Arrietty 4:00 PM Japan 95 mins

Feature Film Short Film Programme Special Screenings Wednesday, 20 November Pm 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00

K16-DT Made In Qatar II 8:00 PM 104 mins

NOVo Jacob, Mimmi and You Will Die At Twenty the Talking Dogs 8:30 PM 5:30 PM Sudan, France, Egypt, Latvia, Poland Germany, Norway, Qatar 70 mins 105 mins

NOVo For Sama Land Of Ashes 6:00 PM 9:00 PM Syria, UK Costa Rica, Argentina, 95 mins Chile, France 82 mins

VOX To The Ends Of The Earth Sorry We Missed You 5:30 PM 8:30 PM Japan, Uzbekistan, Qatar UK, France, Belgium 120 mins 100 mins

K18-GC Spider-Man: Into the Spider- Verse 4:00 PM USA 117 mins

Feature Film Short Film Programme Special Screenings

Thursday, 21 November Pm 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00

K16-DT Made In Qatar: An Inclusive Experience 7:30 PM 67 mins

K16-OH Made In India 8:30 PM Shorts Programme 66 mins

NOVo To The Ends Of The Earth Made In Qatar I 5:30 PM 8:30 PM Japan, Uzbekistan, Qatar 108 mins 120 mins

NOVo Honeyland Give Me Liberty 6:00 PM 9:00 PM North Macedonia USA 85 mins 111 mins

VOX The Farewell It Must Be Heaven 5:30 PM 8:30 PM USA, China France, Qatar, Germany, 98 mins Canada, Turkey, Palestine 97 mins

VOX Ailo’s Journey Bombay Rose 6:00 PM 9:00 PM France, Finland India, France, UK, Qatar 86 mins 93 mins

MIA-SC SONY Cinema Under The Stars: Short Film Programme 7:00 PM 104 mins

K18-GC Anastasia 4:00 PM USA 94 mins

Feature Film Short Film Programme Special Screenings Friday, 22 November Pm 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00

K16-OH Jean-Michel Othoniel. Artiste Enchanteur 7:00 PM 52 mins Followed by a talk

NOVo 1982 The Farewell Sorry We Missed You 2:30 PM 5:30 PM 8:30 PM Lebanon, USA, Norway, USA, China UK, France, Belgium Qatar 98 mins 100 mins 100 mins

NOVo Children of the Sea Give Me Liberty 3:00 PM 6:00 PM Japan USA 112 mins 111 mins

VOX Talking About Trees Made In Qatar II 5:30 PM 8:30 PM France, Sudan, Germany, Chad, 104 mins Qatar 94 mins

VOX The Arctic Camels Experience Short Film 6:00 PM Programme Norway 9:00 PM 75 mins 119 mins

VOX The Wizard of Oz 3:00 PM USA 102 mins

MIA-SC The Iron Giant 7:00 PM USA 86 mins

Feature Film Short Film Programme Special Screenings

Saturday, 23 November AM Pm 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00

K16-DT Wonder & Under the Moonlight Cine-Concert 11:30 AM 62 mins NOVo Away Ailo’s Journey Bombay Rose 2:30 PM 5:30 PM 8:30 PM Latvia France, Finland India, France, UK, Qatar 75 mins 86 mins 93 mins

NOVo The Arctic Camels Children Of The Sea 3:00 PM 6:00 PM Norway Japan 75 mins 112 mins

VOX Jacob, Mimmi and For Sama You Will Die At Twenty the Talking Dogs 5:30 PM 8:30 PM 2:30 PM Syria, UK Sudan, France, Egypt, Latvia, Poland 95 mins Germany, Norway, Qatar 70 mins 105 mins

VOX Feel Short Film Overcome Short Film Honeyland Programme Programme 6:00 PM 12:30 PM 3:00 PM North Macedonia 84 mins 121 mins 85 mins

Feature Film Short Film Programme Special Screenings ajyalfilm.com Ajyal Film Ajyal Film @ Ajyal Film # Ajyal19