At Qumra 2024, esteemed industry mentors from 41 nations will be on hand to offer valuable feedback through personalised one-on-one sessions and consultations.
The 10th edition of Qumra, the Doha Film Institute’s (DFI) annual talent incubator for Arab and international cinema, is set to host a gathering of more than 200 film industry professionals. These experts represent various facets of the entire film production and exhibition lifecycle, aiming to mentor emerging talent and provide crucial guidance to elevate their films to new heights of success.
This year’s Qumra mentorship programme will go beyond in-person meetings from March 1 to 6, extending to online sessions from March 9 to 11. This expansion aims to increase access to invaluable industry expertise, ensuring the success of participating projects.
With attendees hailing from 41 different countries, Qumra 2024 boasts the highest international representation to date. Among them are acclaimed film directors, producers, festival directors, programmers, consultants, fund managers, sales professionals, script experts, distributors, and more. These industry leaders, many of whom are returning participants, have played pivotal roles in shaping the most compelling new voices in Arab and world cinema.
Notable mentors for Qumra 2024 include internationally acclaimed filmmakers such as Elia Suleiman, Rithy Panh, Ghassan Salhab, and Annemarie Jacir, among others. Additionally, project consultants and experts in various fields will offer guidance to filmmakers, ensuring a comprehensive approach to project development.
Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, Chief Executive Officer of the Doha Film Institute, said: “We are thankful to the generous film industry professionals around the world for the invaluable contributions they will be making at Qumra 2024 to shaping a vibrant future for Arab and world cinema. The guidance, mentorship and support provided by our guests over the past nine years has been pivotal to the global success of some of the world’s most compelling filmmakers. As the region’s foremost incubator hub for emerging talent, Qumra continues to play a defining role in shaping how the world sees cinema, and our industry experts are foundational in achieving this.”
Qumra supports the entire script-to-screen journey, incorporating VoD and online platforms to help filmmakers expand their reach beyond traditional avenues. The event features tutorials, consultations, one-on-one meetings for projects in development, and work-in-progress screenings with feedback sessions for projects in post-production.
Production companies and producers attending Qumra 2024 include prominent figures from the industry, such as Mohamed Hefzy (Film Clinic), Georges Schoucair (Abbout Productions), and Lamia Chraibi (La Prod), among others.
Representatives from more than 40 leading film festivals worldwide will participate in work-in-progress feedback panels and industry roundtables. Additionally, film institutes and funds, including Sundance Institute and Eurimages, will be represented, offering further support to filmmakers.
The event will also see the participation of leaders in serialised content and drama series markets, streaming platforms, broadcasting networks, and Qatar-based organisations.
Directors and producers attached to over 40 projects in development and post-production will participate in Qumra 2024. This diverse group includes emerging filmmakers from Qatar and recipients of funding from the DFI Grants Programme.
Throughout the event, industry meetings, masterclasses, work-in-progress screenings, matchmaking sessions, and tailored workshops will help propel projects to the next stages of development. Public screenings of films supported by the Doha Film Institute will also be featured, enriching the creative exchange at Qumra 2024.
