The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has announced that four feature documentary for the Qumra 2020 online edition projects, currently in the development phase, will receive a number of consultancy support this week. “Qumra is an extremely important event for our community and participants, and the 46 selected projects remain a priority for DFI this year. To maintain the current momentum towards success for the projects, the Institute will proceed with an adapted online mentorship and support format to generate opportunities for the filmmakers through this period of new challenges,” DFI CEO Fatma al-Remaihi said in a statement.
“This abridged version of the Qumra catalogue highlights the 46 projects that will benefit from this innovative solution,” she added. The alternative mentorship programme started Friday and will run until March 25 as originally planned. Participating in this year's digital cabin course, these feature documentaries will get bespoke one-on-one advisory sessions where industry experts will cover a broad range of subjects, from financing strategies and legal considerations for co-productions, to match-making, marketing, packaging and festival strategies and sales.
Each assigned project will also receive one-on-one creative guidance on subjects from filmmaking to directing. The documentaries also stand to benefit from expert producer consultations that cover topics including budget, financing plan and strategies, international co-production, and funding.
“The Institute is extremely grateful to our Qumra Masters, filmmakers and industry participants for their ongoing passion and contribution to our commitment to reshape the global storytelling landscape and empower emerging voices to create cinema, to exercise creative expression, and to transform inspired stories into acclaimed masterpieces,” al-Remaihi said.
“The evolution of storytelling has expanded the scope and expression of ideas and influence, and we hope this “Online Qumra” will be a successful extension of our ongoing passion and commitment to supporting emerging voices in global filmmaking,” al-Remaihi noted. According to DFI, the originally planned mentorship programme and all projects (one–on-one sessions) will take place online.
All industry guests will receive the Project Catalogue, Delegates Contact List, as well as the Match-Made suggestions and will be invited to connect online. In addition, festival programmers, sales agents and distributors will have exclusive access until the end of March to the 20-minute excerpts of the work-in-progress projects in post-production, preceded by a video introduction by the filmmakers.
“Unforeseen circumstances can bring out disrupting changes – but with adequate planning, opportunities can emerge. While the concerning outbreak of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) impacted the cancellation of #Qumra20 and many other events globally, our team came up with solutions that will ensure the 46 selected Qumra projects to receive the mentorship and value added support. Delighted to announce “Qumra 2020 -- The Online Edition”, DFI said on its post on Facebook.
DFI earlier cancelled Qumra 2020 and its related activities to mitigate the potential risks associated with the outbreak in the best interest of the health and safety of local residents and international visitors. This decision was part of the Institute’s contribution to the responsible management and prevention of further spread of the virus in Qatar.
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