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Tribune News Network
Doha
THE Qatar-America Institute (QAI) and the Doha Film Institute (DFI) came together during the 2020 Oscars week in Los Angeles recently to highlight Qatar as a force to be reckoned with in the film world.
The event was held as part of QAI’s Expert Voices Series, a QAI initiative sponsored by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC).
This month’s Expert Voices delegation to LA, focusing on film, consisted of DFI’s CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, QAI’s Executive Director Fatima al Dosari and Abdullah al Mosallam, deputy director of Ajyal Film Festival and chief administrative officer of DFI.
The Expert Voices trip to LA presented an opportunity for QAI and DFI to join hands in strengthening voices from the region through films and engage in conversations on the importance of female empowerment and multicultural representation.
It also showcased Qatar’s role in supporting and championing films, filmmakers and creatives from the region.
QAI Executive Director Fatima al Dosari said, “We are thrilled to have this opportunity to join our partner, the Doha Film Institute, in LA to champion the three Qatari-backed films that were recognised at this year’s Oscars: the DFI-granted films The Cave and Brotherhood and the Al-Jazeera Witness supported film St. Louis Superman. We are also excited to showcase the strong ties between Qatar and the US. In fact, these ties will continue through Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will bring over $10 billion worth of business to US firms, followed by a close handover from 2022 in Qatar to 2026 in the United States.”
The delegates met with industry leaders in Los Angeles ahead of attending the 2020 Oscars, where two of DFI’s supported films were nominated: The Cave, a Syrian civil war film directed by Feras Fayyad was nominated in the Best Documentary Feature category, while Brotherhood, a Tunisian film by Montreal-based filmmaker Meryam Joobeur, earned a nomination under the Best Live Action Short Films category.
Fatma Hassan Alremaihi said, “Bridging the gap between the eastern and western cultures is at the forefront of Qatar’s public diplomacy, so we are very grateful for this opportunity to further strengthen our ties with our peers in America. Our commitment to supporting global storytelling has given volume to important new voices, and we are proud to be associated with a diverse range of films that have won critical acclaim and top honours at the world’s leading film events.
“Arab cinema is in a good place right now due to the efforts of our emerging filmmakers who continue to bring our stories to the rest of the world, with unique perspectives that promote cross-cultural exchange and encourage dialogue and discourse.”
The activity-filled week included a meeting at City Hall with City of Beverly Hills Mayor John Mirisch’s office to discuss Qatar’s pivotal role in the state of California, a relationship that extends beyond the financial sphere into the fields of arts, sports, technology, education, and entertainment.
Khalid al Sada, consul general of the Qatar in Los Angeles, hosted a dinner at his home in honour of the DFI-funded films, joined by the producers of the Oscar-nominated film Brotherhood and special guest Brigitte Lacombe, an esteemed French photographer.
The delegates also enjoyed a private tour of the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, prior to attending The International Feature Films of the 92nd Oscars Reception, spotlighting the nominees for Best International Feature Film.
QAI and DFI were also honoured to join the exclusive luncheon celebrating the female Oscar nominees hosted by fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. The event toasts women’s empowerment with a special focus on von Furstenberg’s InCharge movement and the Academy’s Women’s Initiative.
Furthermore, QAI partnered with Deborah Sawaf, CEO & founder of the luxury handbag brand, Thalé Blanc, to host a High Tea and Talk on multiculturalism and female empowerment in the creative and tech industries, with special guest speakers DFI’s Fatma Hassan Alremaihi and the CEO and Founder of The Female Quotient, Shelley Zalis.
Charles King, CEO of MACRO, also invited the delegation to his MACRO studio’s pre-Oscars party. Additionally, throughout the week, the delegates met with industry leaders and personalities such as Peter Guber, CEO of Mandalay Entertainment, Egyptian-Canadian actor, Omar Sharif Jr and former NBA All-Star Baron Davis. The week culminated with DFI’s Fatma Hassan Alremaihi representing Qatar at The 92nd Annual Academy Awards.
Expert Voices Series invites experts from Qatar to encourage broader and more diverse conversations and collaborations between Qatari experts and US-based leaders in the fields of culture, sports and technology.
Doha
THE Qatar-America Institute (QAI) and the Doha Film Institute (DFI) came together during the 2020 Oscars week in Los Angeles recently to highlight Qatar as a force to be reckoned with in the film world.
The event was held as part of QAI’s Expert Voices Series, a QAI initiative sponsored by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC).
This month’s Expert Voices delegation to LA, focusing on film, consisted of DFI’s CEO Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, QAI’s Executive Director Fatima al Dosari and Abdullah al Mosallam, deputy director of Ajyal Film Festival and chief administrative officer of DFI.
The Expert Voices trip to LA presented an opportunity for QAI and DFI to join hands in strengthening voices from the region through films and engage in conversations on the importance of female empowerment and multicultural representation.
It also showcased Qatar’s role in supporting and championing films, filmmakers and creatives from the region.
QAI Executive Director Fatima al Dosari said, “We are thrilled to have this opportunity to join our partner, the Doha Film Institute, in LA to champion the three Qatari-backed films that were recognised at this year’s Oscars: the DFI-granted films The Cave and Brotherhood and the Al-Jazeera Witness supported film St. Louis Superman. We are also excited to showcase the strong ties between Qatar and the US. In fact, these ties will continue through Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will bring over $10 billion worth of business to US firms, followed by a close handover from 2022 in Qatar to 2026 in the United States.”
The delegates met with industry leaders in Los Angeles ahead of attending the 2020 Oscars, where two of DFI’s supported films were nominated: The Cave, a Syrian civil war film directed by Feras Fayyad was nominated in the Best Documentary Feature category, while Brotherhood, a Tunisian film by Montreal-based filmmaker Meryam Joobeur, earned a nomination under the Best Live Action Short Films category.
Fatma Hassan Alremaihi said, “Bridging the gap between the eastern and western cultures is at the forefront of Qatar’s public diplomacy, so we are very grateful for this opportunity to further strengthen our ties with our peers in America. Our commitment to supporting global storytelling has given volume to important new voices, and we are proud to be associated with a diverse range of films that have won critical acclaim and top honours at the world’s leading film events.
“Arab cinema is in a good place right now due to the efforts of our emerging filmmakers who continue to bring our stories to the rest of the world, with unique perspectives that promote cross-cultural exchange and encourage dialogue and discourse.”
The activity-filled week included a meeting at City Hall with City of Beverly Hills Mayor John Mirisch’s office to discuss Qatar’s pivotal role in the state of California, a relationship that extends beyond the financial sphere into the fields of arts, sports, technology, education, and entertainment.
Khalid al Sada, consul general of the Qatar in Los Angeles, hosted a dinner at his home in honour of the DFI-funded films, joined by the producers of the Oscar-nominated film Brotherhood and special guest Brigitte Lacombe, an esteemed French photographer.
The delegates also enjoyed a private tour of the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, prior to attending The International Feature Films of the 92nd Oscars Reception, spotlighting the nominees for Best International Feature Film.
QAI and DFI were also honoured to join the exclusive luncheon celebrating the female Oscar nominees hosted by fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. The event toasts women’s empowerment with a special focus on von Furstenberg’s InCharge movement and the Academy’s Women’s Initiative.
Furthermore, QAI partnered with Deborah Sawaf, CEO & founder of the luxury handbag brand, Thalé Blanc, to host a High Tea and Talk on multiculturalism and female empowerment in the creative and tech industries, with special guest speakers DFI’s Fatma Hassan Alremaihi and the CEO and Founder of The Female Quotient, Shelley Zalis.
Charles King, CEO of MACRO, also invited the delegation to his MACRO studio’s pre-Oscars party. Additionally, throughout the week, the delegates met with industry leaders and personalities such as Peter Guber, CEO of Mandalay Entertainment, Egyptian-Canadian actor, Omar Sharif Jr and former NBA All-Star Baron Davis. The week culminated with DFI’s Fatma Hassan Alremaihi representing Qatar at The 92nd Annual Academy Awards.
Expert Voices Series invites experts from Qatar to encourage broader and more diverse conversations and collaborations between Qatari experts and US-based leaders in the fields of culture, sports and technology.
