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Tribune News Network
Doha
DOHA Film Institute (DFI) on Wednesday announced its first line-up of six films, including the closing night gala, selected for the fourth Ajyal Youth Film Festival to be held in Doha from November 30 to December 5.
The selection celebrates excellence in world cinema today and includes films from acclaimed filmmakers such as Ken Loach, Gianfranco Rosi, Asghar Farhadi, Taika Waititi, Micha'ebl Dudok de Wit and newcomer Babak Anvari, who are some of the most powerful voices within the international film community.
DFI CEO Fatma al Remaihi said:"We are delighted to announce the first selection of films that will screen at Ajyal Youth Film Festival this year, featuring a diverse and captivating showcase of award-winning feature films and documentaries including four Middle East premieres. The six films present a wonderful showcase of how today's filmmakers use the medium to present stories that touch a chord with you. The emotional context of these movies is intense while their visual aesthetics present new perspectives for emerging filmmakers."
"Each of the six films that arrive in Doha has made its mark for their impactful content, cinematic treatment and compelling narrative, and has won critical acclaim. They will provide insights into global cinema for our young jurors and audience in Doha."
Described as a 'wordless wonder' and a touching cinematic ode to the cycle of life, acclaimed Dutch-British animator Michael Dudok de Wit's The Red Turtle (La Tortue rouge [France, Belgium, Japan, 2016] will be the closing gala of this year's Ajyal Youth Film Festival, marking the film's MENA premiere.
Also making a beeline for Doha following critical acclaim at international film festivals is I, Daniel Blake (UK, France, Belgium/English/2016), the winner of the Palme d'Or at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival and Italian film Fire at Sea (Fuocoammare) directed by Gianfranco Rosi which won the Golden Bear at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival and was Italy's official submission to the 2017 Academy Awards.
Iran's official entry to the 2017 Academy Awards and winner of the Best Screenplay and Best Actor Awards in the official competition section at Cannes 2016, Asghar Farhadi's The Salesman will make its MENA debut at Ajyal 2016. Screening in the Mohaq competition section at Ajyal is Hunt for the Wilderpeople (New Zealand/English/2016) directed by Taika Waititi. The film has won eight international honours.
Under the Shadow (USA/English/2016), a thriller by Babak Anvari, screens at Ajyal by marking the opening of the festival's first midnight screening.
