Doha Film Institute CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi will be fêted during the Cannes Film Festival by the Arab Cinema Center with its Arab Cinema Personality of the Year Award.
The award honors prominent industry figures “whose persistent contributions have helped elevate the Arab film industry in the eyes of the international filmmaking community as a whole,” the ACC said in a statement. The Arab Cinema Center is an umbrella group that serves as a catalyst for the Arab industry at top festivals and film markets around the world.
Born and raised in Doha, Alremaihi graduated from Qatar University with a degree in English Literature. She has been part of the Doha Film Institute team since joining in 2009 as an advisor to the first edition of the now scrapped Doha Tribeca Film Festival. A mother of four, she was subsequently instrumental in launching the Ajyal Film Festival for children involving hundreds of kids as jurors, as well as its unique Qumra workshop dedicated to supporting and shepherding first and second works mostly by Arab directors. Alremaihi has also been instrumental to turning the DFI’s year-round film funding initiatives into the region’s top indie industry driver.
“We take immense pride in honoring Fatma Hassan Alremaihi with the Arab Cinema Personality of the Year Award,” said ACC co-founders Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab in the statement. “Since assuming her position, she has made noteworthy efforts to advance the Qatari, Arab, and global film industries,” they added.
Commented Alremaihi: “I am deeply honored by this recognition, which reflects the spirit of a young nation committed to building a dynamic film industry that captures the world’s imagination.”
“At the DFI, we believe in the power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and transform,” she continued.
“This award not only strengthens our commitment to nurturing diverse voices and cultivating a rich cultural legacy but also reaffirms Qatar’s unwavering dedication to championing global storytelling — narratives that transcend borders and unite communities around the world.”
Alremaihi took questions from Variety about the DFI’s achievements so far and her plans to launch a reconceived festival in Cannes that, she said, will mark “the next step in Qatar’s journey of cultural leadership.”
As DFI celebrates 15 years what do you consider to be the main milestones?
Over the past 15 years, we have witnessed an evolution in how Arab stories are received and celebrated on the global stage. Our commitment to supporting first- and second-time filmmakers has resulted in over 900 films from 75 countries with 1,600 festival selections and more than 600 international awards including 10 Oscar nominations, demonstrating the universal resonance of authentic storytelling from our region. From development and financing to production and exhibition, the comprehensive ecosystem we have built for filmmakers has helped establish a new generation of bold voices who are challenging stereotypes and presenting the nuanced perspectives of our culture and society that ensure that authentic Arab narratives find their rightful place in global cinema, and we will continue to focus on our strengths. Personally, success for me is measured by the impact we’ve had on emerging filmmakers and their journeys. I’m particularly moved when I see young talents from Qatar and the region gaining recognition at international festivals. When I see our filmmakers confidently presenting their work at major festivals, engaging in meaningful discussions about their craft, and inspiring others to tell their stories, that’s when I feel that we are truly succeeding. Our core mission of nurturing important voices and amplifying authentic regional storytelling remains unchanged, and our commitment to cinema as a force for cultural expression and dialogue is stronger than ever.
How is DFI’s effort to foster filmmaking from Qatar bearing fruit?
DFI takes a sustainable approach to create compelling original content in Qatar that will further enhance development of the local creative industries and position our talent alongside their global peers. A vibrant local film industry empowers us to connect as a community, share our perspectives and create cultural dialogue in our society and beyond. Our initiatives are strengthening Qatar’s cultural legacy and taking Qatar to the world, through the stories and creativity of our emerging talent such as Amal Al Muftah; Rawda Al Thani; A.J. Al Thani; Ali Al Hajri; Majid Al Remaihi; and Khalifa Al Marri to name a few. Qatari stories are now reaching global audiences at 60 plus leading international festivals across four continents with films selected to compete in official competitions at Venice, Locarno, Chicago and San Francisco among others.
I am particularly proud of how our young filmmakers in Qatar are pushing boundaries in their storytelling with projects like “And Then They Burn The Sea” by Majid Al Remaihi becoming the first Qatari film in consideration for an Oscar nomination, or Amal Al-Muftah’s “Shhab” that has screened at over 60 global festivals show how far we’ve come. What makes their achievements special is that they represent more than just individual success stories – they help change perceptions about our region’s cinema.
What prompted you and DFI team to re-conceive Ajyal?
Doha Film Festival represents the evolution of our cinematic journey and builds on Ajyal’s
successful foundation while expanding to embrace new opportunities. It will continue to be a
vital platform for self-expression, empowering creatives from across the region and beyond, and will allow us to better serve our community and industry while maintaining our core mission and
values.
We have thought carefully about creating a festival that serves not just as a showcase for films,
but as a platform for meaningful dialogue and cultural exchange, building on our years of
experience with Ajyal and Qumra. This is simply the next stage of our festival, the next stage of
our industry, and the next stage of the Institute as we have always been evolving and adapting
to industry needs to embrace new opportunities.
How is the re-conceived Ajyal going to complement what DFI does in an organic manner?
Doha Film Festival will continue to provide a platform for nurturing regional talent and amplifying
important voices that might otherwise remain unheard to further enrich the global film
landscape. The festival’s goals align perfectly with DFI’s mission of supporting authentic
storytelling and fostering cultural understanding.
DFF will retain popular elements of Ajyal while introducing new dimensions, bringing together
diverse voices and perspectives from around the world while showcasing our own stories and
talents. The festival represents the next step in Qatar’s journey of cultural leadership, creating
opportunities for cultural exchange and dialogue that will benefit not just our region but the
entire global film community.
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