Ajyal Film Festival Unveils Diverse Film Lineup Highlighting Family and Social Themes.

DOHA: The 12th Ajyal Film Festival, hosted by the Doha Film Institute, is set to captivate audiences with a dynamic selection of films on Monday, November 18th, showcasing a blend of intimate family narratives and visually compelling animations that delve into themes of adaptation and survival amidst changing times. According to Qatar News Agency, one of the notable films featured is "Brief History of a Family" (China, France, Denmark, Qatar/2024), directed by Jianjie Lin. This film, which won the Best Artistic Contribution Award at the Beijing International Film Festival 2024, will be screened at 8:00 PM at VOX Cinemas, Doha Festival City. The story revolves around Wei, who brings his classmate Shuo into his family home, leading to the revelation of hidden family tensions and unresolved emotions as Shuo becomes a part of their lives. Another standout film is "Flow" (Latvia, France, Belgium/2024), directed by Gints Zilbalodis, scheduled to be shown at 7:30 PM at VOX Cinemas. Nominated for the Un Certain Reg ard Award at Cannes 2024, this animation follows a solitary cat on a boat with other animals, journeying through mystical, flooded landscapes where they must cooperate to survive, despite their differences. The festival also pays tribute to Gaza with "From Ground Zero" (Palestine, France, Qatar, Jordan, UAE/2024) at 7.30 PM at the Katara Drama Theatre. Curated by Rashid Masharawi, this collection of 22 short films by Gaza-based filmmakers offers a poignant look into the daily lives and resilience of people living under siege. Each film provides unique insights into survival and the human spirit amid ongoing conflict, accessible to audiences through free admission with reserved tickets. Additionally, the festival offers a free public screening of an episode from "The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition Season 2" at 8.30 PM at Katara Opera House. Co-produced by Media City Qatar, this exclusive premiere will feature a panel discussion on the show's production in Qatar. The series, which stars ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, is set to premiere on beIN's TOD across MENA on November 20. Viewers can also catch "Through Rocks and Clouds" (Peru, Chile/2024), directed by Franco García Becerra, at 6 PM at VOX Cinemas. Recognized with a Special Mention of the Generation Kplus International Jury at the Berlin International Film Festival 2024, the film tells the story of Feliciano, an 8-year-old alpaca herder, who dreams of seeing Peru in the World Cup while facing a mining company's threat to his Andean village. Tickets for "Brief History of a Family," "Flow," and "Through Rocks and Clouds" are available online at www.dohafilminstitute.com/filmfestival or at the Ajyal Katara Box Office and Ajyal Box Office at VOX Cinemas, Doha Festival City. The 12th Ajyal Film Festival, featuring 66 films from 42 countries, offers special programmes such as Voices from Palestine and the Intaj: From Ground Zero Experience exhibition. The festival continues through November 23, with events at various locations including Katara Cul tural Village, Sikkat Wadi Msheireb, Lusail, and VOX Cinemas Doha Festival City.