Ajyal Youth Film Festival Film Guide 29 November to 4 December, 2017 1 CUlTURAl pARTnER PrincipAl Partners STRATEGIC partner Signature SpOnSORS COnTRIBUTInG SpOnSORS InTERnATIOnAl MEDIA pARTnER MEDIA pARTnER 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 2017 Ajyal Youth Film Festival 4 General Audience. Suitable for audiences ages 4 and up. Ajyal Competition, Jury and Awards 5 Feature Film Presentations 6–14 Parental guidance is advised. Some material may be inappropriate for young children. Opening Night: MENA Premiere of ‘The Breadwinner’ by Nora Twomey 7 Parental guidance is advised for viewers under the age of 13. Individuals Short Film Programmes 16 under the age of 13 are not admitted into cinemas unless accompanied by Made in Qatar presented by Occidental Petroleum 17 an individual over the age of 18. ‘My Little Beasts’ Cine-Concert 19 Parental guidance advised for viewers under the age of 15. Individuals under the age of 18 are not admitted into cinemas unless accompanied by an Bariq: Films for the whole family 20 individual over the age of 18. Journey into Life: Films for audiences 8 and older 21 Mature subject matter. May not be suitable for minors. Individuals under the Home: Films for audiences 13 and older 22 age of 15 are not admitted into cinemas. Abstract Visions and Another Reality: Films for audiences 15 and older 23 Mature subject matter. Not suitable for minors. Individuals under the age of 18 are not admitted into cinemas. Made in Kuwait 25 SONY Cinema Under the Stars Short Film Programme 26 Festival Venues ‘Al-Johara’ and ‘Kashta’ – An Inclusive Experience 27 Event and screening locations are identified as follows: Katara 12 Theatre A: K12-A Ajyal Creativity Hub 28 Katara 12 Theatre B: K12-B Film Ratings Guide and Ticket Information 31 Katara Opera House: K16-OH Katara Drama Theatre: K16-DT Schedule of Screenings 33 SONY Cinema Under the Stars: KE–SC Katara Esplanade, Family Weekend: KE–Fw Katara 18 & 19: Geekdom: K18–G & K19–G Katara 19: LeBlockade: K19-lB For more information, please see page 32 of this guide. Subtitles and Interpretation Unless otherwise noted, all films are shown in their original language, with Arabic 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 the SONY Cinema Under the Stars require a ticket for admission. Free tickets may be reserved online or requested at any ticket outlet location. All screenings at the 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 Engagement of young people in the Ajyal Youth Film Festival their understanding of how the world tells its stories in a is centred on the juries of the Ajyal Competition, who select spirit of cultural exchange. The Ajyal Competition inspires the Festival award winners. By providing young people from creative thinking, cooperation and self-expression – and the ages of 8 to 21 with access to international cinema and leads to friendships that will last a lifetime. filmmakers from around the globe, Ajyal helps them develop Ajyal Jury The Ajyal Competition Jury is divided into three sections by age group. The three juries are: Welcome to the Fifth Ajyal Youth Film Festival We’ve come a long way in five years, and this Ajyal promises to We are honoured to bring you LeBlockade, a showcase of be another unforgettable edition of our annual festival. Over the creative and unifying art works that emerged during the on- Mohaq Hilal Bader next six days, you will enjoy some of the best in international going blockade of the State of Qatar. Although the events that Mohaq means ‘New Moon’ in Arabic, Ajyal’s jurors aged 13 to 17 are the The most mature of Ajyal’s juries, family-friendly cinema, bringing film-goers of all ages together led to these have been unfortunate, their work is a testament to and these are Ajyal’s youngest jurors, Hilal jury – the term means ‘Crescent Bader (Arabic for ‘Full Moon’) jurors for an entertaining and inspirational experience. the resolve and strength of the Qatari art community. And our aged 8 to 12. These young people will Moon’ in Arabic. Four feature films and are aged 18 to 21 and will select their Made in Kuwait series shines a light on the exciting films being watch one programme of short films a programme of shorts make up this favourite films from four features and As always, hundreds of Ajyal Jurors from around the world made by our friends elsewhere in the Gulf. and four feature-length films. jury’s film selection. two programmes of short films. converge on Katara to decide the eventual winners of the Ajyal Competition. Over the course of the festival they will develop Get ready to embrace your inner nerd with the return of their film literacy, creative writing, and analytical thinking skills Geekdom. Take part in lively video-game tournaments, try Awards through a series of film screenings and workshops. But more your hand at creating a comic book, dress up as your favourite importantly, they will learn to express themselves, create character, or simply soak up the atmosphere as we celebrate all Each of the three Ajyal Juries awards a Best Film prize lasting friendships, and expand their understanding of the things pop-culture. to their favourite short and feature-length films, for a total world around them. of six awards. The directors of the winning films are awarded This year’s thought-provoking Ajyal Talks cover a broad range funding toward their next film, so jurors are empowered The Qatari film industry is thriving, and we are delighted to bring of topics, including how film can play an integral role in helping to support and promote future content that is relevant you some of its finest examples. Now presented by Occidental people deal with adversity and a look at the impact of media and important to them, in a proactive way. Petroleum, our Made in Qatar series returns, and this year marks on our daily lives. We also examine the heart-breaking issue of the first-ever Made in Qatar Shabab programme, featuring shorts contemporary child-trafficking, and chat with visual artist Shirin Our youngest audiences vote for their favourite film in the made by the youngest generation of local talent. Neshat about her work. Bariq programme (see page 20). A jury of regional industry professionals will decide the Best Film in the Made in Qatar There is something for everyone at our Family Weekend, and be Throughout this guide, you will find more information on our presented by Occidental Petroleum section (see pages 17 sure to catch the SONY Cinema Under the Stars series, a special film screenings and events, as well as be introduced to the and 18). kids’ blue-carpet screening of the ever-popular ‘The Smurfs’, newest member of the team, our Ajyal Falcon. He embodies and a feast for the senses with the ‘My Little Beasts’ Cine- the values that we cherish most here at Ajyal – curiosity, This year also sees the launch of our new Ajyal Audience Concert. Once again, we have partnered with the Translation empowerment, film, friendship and joy. Award, which will be decided by the general public. So keep and Interpreting Institute of the College of Humanities and an eye out for your chance to vote at some of our feature- Social Sciences at Hamad bin Khalifa University for an inclusive We look forward to welcoming you at the festival! length film screenings. screening that will bring the magic of cinema to all film fans. 4 5 Opening Night The Breadwinner Feature Films Eleven-year-old Parvana lives with her family in one room of MENA Premiere a tiny apartment building in war-torn Kabul. She grows up Director: Nora Twomey listening to stories told by her father while helping him in the Canada, Ireland, Luxembourg / English / 2017 / 93 mins marketplace, where he reads and writes letters for people to earn a living. One day, her father is arrested by the authorities, and Wed 29 Nov / 7:00 PM / K16–OH (by invitation only) Parvana’s life is changed forever. During a time in a place Wed 29 Nov / 7:00 PM / K16–DT / QR 40 – where women are not allowed to leave home without men, Doors open at 6:00 PM and close at 7:00 PM her family is left without someone who can earn money or Sat 2 Dec / 8:30 PM / K12–b / QR 25 even shop for food. To help, Parvana decides to cut her hair and disguise herself as a boy, turning herself into the breadwinner for the family. And though she is in danger of being discovered, she is resolved to find a way to rescue her father. ‘The Breadwinner’ is a wonderful tale of female empowerment and imagination in the face of oppression – and a celebration of the culture, history and beauty of Afghanistan. Executive-produced by Angelina Jolie, the film recently took the top prize at the Animation Is Film Festival in Los Angeles. 7 At Eye Level Disappearance Ten-year-old Michi never knew his father, and since the In an Iranian culture that operates within strict social mores, tragic death of his mother, he has lived in a group home Sara, a university student, and her boyfriend Hamed allow for orphaned children.