Doha Film Institute CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi To Be Fêted During Cannes Where She Will Launch Festival That Is ‘The Next Step in Qatar’s Journey of Cultural Leadership’ (EXCLUSIVE)

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During the Cannes Film Festival, the Arab Cinema Center will honor Doha Film Institute CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi with their Arab Cinema Personality of the Year Award in recognition of her significant contributions to the film industry.

As a dedicated cinephile, I feel privileged to be recognized by the Arab Cinema Center (ACC) for my relentless efforts in enhancing the global perception of the Arab film industry. The ACC is an influential organization that serves as a catalyst, propelling our industry onto international stages at prestigious film festivals and markets worldwide.

Raised in Doha, Alremaihi earned her English Literature degree from Qatar University. Since joining the Doha Film Institute (DFI) in 2009 as an advisor for the initial Doha Tribeca Film Festival, she has been a valued member of the team. With four children, she played a significant role in establishing the Ajyal Film Festival, engaging hundreds of young jurors, and introducing the Qumra workshop, which focuses on nurturing and guiding debut films primarily from Arab filmmakers. Alremaihi’s contributions have also been crucial in transforming DFI’s year-round funding initiatives into a leading force for independent film production in the region.

Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab, co-founders of ACC, expressed great honor in presenting Fatma Hassan Alremaihi with the ‘Arab Cinema Personality of the Year’ award. They noted that since she took on her role, she has shown significant dedication to progressing the Qatari, Arab, and international film industries.

Alremaihi expressed his profound gratitude for this acknowledgement, as it symbolizes the determination of a youthful nation working tirelessly to develop a vibrant and enchanting film industry.

At the DFI, we feel that narratives have the ability to bridge connections, ignite inspiration, and bring about change,” she went on to say.

Receiving this award underscores our determination to foster varied perspectives and build a vibrant cultural heritage, while simultaneously confirming Qatar’s resolute efforts in promoting worldwide storytelling – tales that surpass boundaries and bring together global communities.

Alremaihi fielded questions from EbMaster concerning the DFI’s accomplishments thus far and her intentions to debut a reimagined festival in Cannes, which she described as signifying “the next phase in Qatar’s cultural leadership journey.

As DFI celebrates 15 years what do you consider to be the main milestones?

For the past fifteen years, there’s been a significant transformation in how Arab narratives are appreciated and honored on a global scale. Our dedication towards nurturing first-time and second-time filmmakers has resulted in nearly 900 films from 75 countries, with over 1,600 festival selections and more than 600 international awards, including ten Oscar nominations, showcasing the universal appeal of genuine storytelling from our region. The extensive infrastructure we’ve created for filmmakers has played a pivotal role in fostering a new generation of daring voices that are breaking stereotypes and offering nuanced insights into our culture and society, ensuring that authentic Arab narratives earn their deserved place in global cinema. We remain steadfast in focusing on our strengths. For me, success is defined by the influence we’ve had on budding filmmakers and their journeys. I am particularly touched when young talents from Qatar and the region receive international recognition at film festivals. When I see our filmmakers presenting their work with confidence at major festivals, engaging in thought-provoking discussions about their craft, and inspiring others to share their stories, that’s when I feel we are truly thriving. Our original mission of cultivating significant voices and amplifying genuine regional storytelling remains constant, and our commitment to cinema as a tool for cultural expression and dialogue is more resolute than ever.

How is DFI’s effort to foster filmmaking from Qatar bearing fruit?

DFI adopts an eco-friendly strategy to produce captivating, locally relevant content within Qatar, fostering growth in the domestic creative sector while placing our homegrown talent on a global stage alongside their international counterparts. A thriving local film industry serves as a unifying force, enabling us to bond as a community, express diverse viewpoints, and spark cultural discourse not only within our society but also beyond its borders. Our projects are bolstering Qatar’s rich cultural heritage and showcasing the country on a global scale through the tales and ingenuity of emerging artists such as Amal Al Muftah; Rawda Al Thani; A.J. Al Thani; Ali Al Hajri; Majid Al Remaihi; and Khalifa Al Marri, among others. Qatari narratives are now resonating with global audiences at over 60 prominent international festivals spanning four continents, with films chosen to compete in prestigious competitions like Venice, Locarno, Chicago, and San Francisco, among others.

I am immensely proud of the innovative storytelling our budding filmmakers in Qatar are displaying, with projects such as “And Then They Burn The Sea” by Majid Al Remaihi marking a milestone as the first Qatari film to be considered for an Oscar nomination. Similarly, Amal Al-Muftah’s “Shhab,” which has been showcased at over 60 international festivals, is another testament to our progress. What sets their accomplishments apart is that they are not merely individual triumphs – they are shaping new perceptions about the cinematic landscape of our region.

What prompted you and DFI team to re-conceive Ajyal?

The Doha Film Festival symbolizes the progression of our cinematic voyage, leveraging on Ajyal’s proven success while broadening its horizons to encompass fresh prospects. It will remain a vital avenue for self-expression, fostering creative talent from various regions and worldwide, enabling us to better cater to our community and sector while preserving our essential mission and values.

In crafting this festival, we’ve meticulously considered its role as more than just a film exhibition; instead, it serves as a venue for significant discourse and cultural interaction, capitalizing on our extensive experience with Ajyal and Qumra. This is merely the next phase of our festival, the next phase of our industry, and the next phase of our Institute as we have consistently evolved and adapted to adapt to industry demands and seize new opportunities.

How is the re-conceived Ajyal going to complement what DFI does in an organic manner?

The Doha Film Festival will persist in offering a stage to nurture local talent and amplify significant voices that might otherwise go unnoticed, thereby adding depth to the international film landscape. The festival’s objectives align harmoniously with DFI’s mission of promoting genuine storytelling and fostering cultural comprehension.

DFF will maintain familiar aspects of Ajyal while incorporating fresh dimensions, gathering diverse voices and viewpoints from across the globe, all while presenting our unique stories and talents. The festival signifies the next phase in Qatar’s cultural leadership journey, offering chances for cultural exchange and discourse that will advantage not only our region but the global film community as a whole.

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2025-04-30 14:17