With the theme of the 2024 edition of Ajyal Film Festival, presented by the Doha Film Institute, announced as ‘Moments That Matter’, the event will also see the participation of Palestinian stars Hiam Abbas, Saleh and Mohammad Bakri, along with beloved Egyptian actor Khaled El Nabawy, Turkish TV star Esra Bilgic and Sudanese musician Mustafa the Poet.

Despite all the tragic events unfolding for the past 13 months in the Region, this edition of the Ajyal Film Festival will take place in Doha, Qatar, from November 16th to the 23rd. Last year’s edition was cancelled, understandably so, and a few of us dared to anticipate it might happen again this year. I mean, with so many on the team of the Doha Film Institute hailing from Palestine and Lebanon, who could have blamed them.

But thankfully the DFI team continue to believe that cinema is the answer, as they’ve been pointing out relentlessly for almost 15 years now.

At a press conference on Monday, November 4th, the festival line up was announced, as well as the 2024 Ajyal theme, which reflects Qatar’s sentiment for peace, understanding, and justice, focusing on the themes of cultural exchange, self-empowerment, and empathy — “Moments That Matter.”  

At the official press conference Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer of Doha Film Institute, said: “Art is a form of defiance, and the 2024 edition of Ajyal reminds us that it cannot be silenced. While the level of horrific human suffering unleashed against innocent people in the region is infinitely disturbing, it is also fuel for our determination to protect and promote genuine human understanding, compassion and empathy to guide our actions.”

Alremaihi also added: “In a world facing immeasurable pain and division, Ajyal serves as a crucial platform where stories can bridge divides and bring us closer together. Through films that inspire conversations, challenge perceptions, and reinforce our shared humanity, Ajyal’s ‘Moments That Matter’ is a reminder of the values we need to cultivate to help us all heal and move forward towards lasting peace.”

Among the esteemed guests at Ajyal this year, audiences will find Palestinian actors Saleh Bakri and Hiam Abbas, Egyptian actor Khaled El Nabawy, Turkish actor Esra Bilgic, Palestinian actor and director Mohammad Bakri, French actor and director Cyril Guei, Thai entrepreneur Chatri Sityodtong, Cambodian filmmaker Rithy Panh, Tunisian filmmaker Meryam Joobeur, Palestinian musician Anees, Sudanese musician Mustafa the Poet and Nigerian photographer and filmmaker Misan Harriman among others. 

The festival will kick off with a screening of Sudan, Remember Us directed by emerging female director Hind Meddeb and supported by the DFI. The film presents a masterful depiction of compelling young activists in their fight for freedom using words, poems, and chants, while also aptly conveying the power of dreams, hope, and creativity to challenge oppressive forces.

Two special programs curated to highlight the grave injustice and violent aggression faced by people in the region include ‘Voices from Palestine’, which will see the screening of Undr by Kamal Aljafari and Janin Jenin by Mohammad Bakri, along with the film Intaj: From Ground Zero Experience, a compelling project that brings together 22 short films created by talented filmmakers from Gaza. This initiative, launched by renowned Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi, was born against the backdrop of the conflict and aims to provide a platform for young artists to express themselves through their craft. 

The entire program aims to amplify the vibrant creative voices of Palestinians as they persist against censorship, misrepresentation and extermination.

The 2024 Ajyal Film Festival Special Screenings program is an exciting showcase of cinematic experiences that demonstrate the limitless capability of the medium of film to expand perspectives, celebrate culture, and inspire people of all abilities.

This year’s program will feature renowned Cambodian director and screenwriter Rithy Panh’s latest project Meeting with Pol Pot, which world premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, along with the exclusive premiere of an episode from The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition Season 2, powered by Media City Qatar and filmed in Qatar, ahead of the official season launch just days away, open-air cinema under the beautiful night sky of Doha.

Also, to mark the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, Ajyal will offer a rich, authentic glimpse into Moroccan life and its evolving cultural landscape in the Made in Morocco programme with six short films that explore tradition, identity, and societal change with project by Faouzi Bensaidi. 

Ajyal 2024 will also host a special screening of the award-winning animated feature Flow by Gints Zilbalodis for young guests from Palestine in Qatar as part of the school screening initiative. 

To be held from November 16 to 23, Ajyal 2024 will feature a selection of 66 thought-provoking films from 42 countries depicting themes that will resonate with and inspire audiences with stories of resilience, hope and community empowerment. Also featured will be interactive discussions, inclusive screenings, film exhibition, Qatar’s largest pop-culture event – Geekend. Events will be held across key locations, including Katara, Sikkat Wadi Msheireb, Lusail and VOX Cinemas Doha Festival City.  Tickets can be purchased here: www.dohafilminstitute.com/festival. 

One of the most popular screenings at the festival, year after year, the Made in Qatar program for this edition will include 5 films by Qatari and Qatar-based filmmakers. Ajyal 2024 will also introduce Made in Qatar Shabab, a new initiative that provides emerging talents with the essential tools and industry insights they need to thrive in the world of filmmaking.

And finally, Ajyal’s popular open-air screenings will return with Cinema Under the Stars at the Museum of Islamic Art Park and Cinema by the Sea at Westbay Beach with a curated program of animated features and family-friendly classics, including Babar the Movie by Alan Bunce, The Borrowers by Peter Hewitt, Hansel and Gretel by Richard Slapczynski and Little Nemo by Masami Hata and Milliam Hurtz among others. 

The final weekend of the festival will also see the return of popular attraction Geekend 2024, which will take over Qatar from November 20 to 23. Whether into gaming, comics, or animation, Geekend is the ultimate event to celebrate all things geeky — Qatar’s largest and one-of-a-kind pop-culture event during Ajyal. 

All images used with permission.