It is a brave new world that filmmakers and film institutions have helped to create. Without them going forth undaunted, we may not have gotten so far. Personally I’ve watched films and followed film festivals that braved this Covid-19 restricted world, and in the process, have managed to find a “new normal” for myself.

Of course, I can’t wait to watching films in the theaters and attending festivals in person and although I’ve made a few attempts in the last few months, the time does’t seem right just yet. Cairo, Venice and Doha will have to wait for now. But the conversation can still go on.

The Doha Film Institute has managed to put together a hybrid online and in person (for Qatari residents only) version of its annual Ajyal Film Festival dedicated to young audience and there was even a red carpet last night and an opening ceremony. I’m sharing the video of the latter below.

The opening film was Majid Majidi’s ‘Sun Children’ which is this year’s Iranian entry to the Best International Feature Film in the Oscar race. You can read more about the three Iranian films which are in the line-up on this year’s festival here. The choice of these three masterpieces for young audiences is at once visionary and quite smart! I mean, even though the films hardly deal with unicorns and chocolate rivers, their mature subject matters — death, child labor and forgiveness — are the perfect way to introduce the younger generations to a way of viewing the world through the cinematic lens. I think back on my own upbringing and thank my parents every day for having had the courage to take me to watch everything from Woody Allen to Luchino Visconti, with a little Disney animation thrown in.

For the occasion, H.E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of the Doha Film Institute, said, “Ajyal 2020 offers a unique opportunity for you to connect with peers around the world who share your passion for learning and discovery through cinema. Our culture’s rich history of literature, art, music and performance serves to preserve our past and informs our unique identity and perspective as Arabs and as modern-day storytellers. Now it’s your turn to shine, as creative role models for the generations of the future.”

While the lovely and ever-elegant Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Doha Film Institute, added, “In previous years, the size of our audiences were limited to the number of seats available; Ajyal 2020’s new hybrid format breaks these limitations and enables audiences from around the globe to join in cinematic celebration of culture and creative expression from wherever they are. I want to thank all our local and international participants for their support and trust in the unwavering spirit of Ajyal. This year’s Festival theme ‘The Show Goes On’ aptly reflects the essence of that spirit – one of vibrant creativity, community, and resilience. We are very proud to embrace youth from all backgrounds and cultures as they explore individual freedom of thought, imagination and expression in the environment of intercultural understanding and respect of Ajyal.”

Personal favorites at this festival include ‘I Am Greta’ by Nathan Grossman, an in-depth and quite revelatory look at climate warning icon Greta Thunberg, ‘Yalda, a Night for Forgiveness’ by Massoud Bakhshi and ‘200 Meters’ by Ameen Nayfeh and featuring Palestinian superstar Ali Suliman. Read more about each project by clicking on the underscored links.

This year, the Festival will showcase a diverse program of 22 features and 58 shorts, including 31 from the Arab World and 30 by women directors. Bringing together award-winning filmmakers from across the globe, Ajyal Film Festival continues to amplify powerful voices and rouse all generations through cinema.

Expanding audience access across the region via an online streaming platform and exciting new Drive-In Cinema in Lusail, Ajyal 2020 brings back the highly-anticipated Made in Qatar program presented by Ooredoo, to celebrate emerging film talents who call Qatar home.