Qatar's Qumra 2023 film festival to kick off on March 10

By Salih Seref and Fatih Turkyilmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) - Qumra 2023, an annual film festival organized by Qatar's Doha Film Institute, will be held from March 10-15 at Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art.

The festival will open with the screening of Lebanese director Ali Cherri's movie "The Dam," according to a statement

British playwright, screenwriter and director Christopher Hampton, film and theater producer David Parfitt, costume designer Jacqueline West, Scottish filmmaker Lynne Ramsay and British director Michael Winterbottom will be among the names who will provide training at the festival.

Erige Sehiri's "Under The Fig Trees," Amil Shivji's "Tug of War," Maha Haj's "Mediterranean Fever," Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and director Bassem Breche's "Riverbed," Jessica Beshir's "Faya Dayi," Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s "Memoria" and "The Last Queen" directed by Damien Ounouri and Adila Bendimerad will also presented to the audience.

- 44 projects from 23 countries

Supporting the journey of amateur filmmakers from the script to the big screen, the event brings together filmmakers from all over the world with renowned cinematographers and industry experts.

The festival will include 44 projects from 23 countries and will offer participants the opportunity to meet the leading cinema industry professionals as well as comprehensive mentoring programs.

Among the selected projects, there will be 14 feature-length narratives, 12 feature-length documentaries, seven TV series and 11 short films.

The festival will be held in a mixed format with online sessions on March 19-21 as well as face-to-face events on March 10-15.

- Outstanding master filmmakers

"We are delighted to share these incredible films that have deeply impacted film lovers worldwide. The screenings provide crucial cultural and artistic context to both Qumra delegates and independent film audiences," said Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Chief Executive Officer of the Doha Film Institute.

"We are honored to welcome outstanding master filmmakers. The mentorship provided by these accomplished film professionals will be invaluable to the success of the selected filmmakers and their projects," she added.

Doha Film Institute Art Consultant Elia Suleiman pointed out that the masters of world cinema will be hosted at the masterclasses.

"I believe it will bring filmmakers a unique perspective on their creative journey that will benefit them tremendously.

"These names are exceptional filmmakers who offer unique perspectives on their craft and define what it means to continually raise the standards of world cinema," Suleiman added.