Morocco will participate in the 12th Ajyal Film Festival, which will take place from November 16-23, sponsored by Doha Film Institute. The institute has programmed 66 films from 42 countries.
During a press conference held on Monday, the organizers said that the film selection addresses topics that resonate with audiences and inspire them with stories of resilience, hope, and community empowerment.
In celebration of the Qatar-Morocco Cultural Year 2024, the festival will feature the “Made in Morocco” program, providing insights into Moroccan life and its evolving cultural scene. The program includes six short films exploring themes of tradition, identity, and societal change.
The festival will also host interactive discussions, comprehensive screenings, and a cinematic exhibition, with “Geek End,” the largest cultural event in Qatar. Special screenings will offer an exceptional cinematic experience that highlights the limitless power of film to broaden horizons, celebrate culture, and inspire people of all abilities.
There will also be an inclusive screening featuring specialized audiovisual techniques for individuals with disabilities in the film “Ode to Our Land” by directors Amal Al-Muftah and Rawda Al-Thani. This screening, conducted in collaboration with the Translation Studies Institute at Qatar´s Hamad Bin Khalifa University, will highlight the power of cinema as a means of inclusion that transcends physical barriers.
The festival will also present a new installment of the “Voices from Palestine” film series, shedding light on the ongoing challenges faced by the Palestinian people. The program will feature two feature films and four short films by Palestinian filmmakers documenting their experiences of loss, survival, and resistance, offering poignant insights into life under occupation.
Fatima Hassan Alrumaihi, the Festival Director and CEO of the Doha Film Institute, stated during the official press conference that “art is a form of resistance.” She noted that the 2024 edition of Ajyal “reminds us that art cannot be silenced while we witness horrific levels of human suffering inflicted upon innocents in the region.¨
For the director, it is also possible to see a “driving force” in art, that strengthens “our resolve to protect and promote genuine human understanding, empathy, and solidarity. These are the values that illuminate our path and guide our actions.”