Tribune News Network
Doha
The first EU Youth Short Film Festival, Frames, Reframed, concluded on November 25 with great success at the Doha Beach Club, marking a unique collaboration between European and Qatari filmmakers.
Over two days, the festival attracted a vibrant audience for the film screenings and masterclasses, showcasing the thriving art of short filmmaking across both regions. The festival highlighted the power of storytelling to connect cultures and foster understanding.
Ambassador of the European Union to Qatar, HE Dr Cristian Tudor, expressed his appreciation for the event, stating: “This festival is a testament to the strong cultural bridges being built between the European Union and Qatar. The creativity and passion of these young filmmakers is what reframes the cultural ties between the EU and Qatar through telling their stories which resonate long after the festival has ended.”
The awarding ceremony, led by Deputy Head of Mission of the EU Delegation to Qatar, Dr Angelos Lenos, announced the winners at the end it the event. Best Picture Award went to ‘Olayan’ by Qatari filmmaker Khalifa Al Marri. ‘Olayan’ is a touching story of a young Bedouin boy’s bond with his camel. The jury praised the film for its emotional depth and compelling narrative of friendship and resilience. Al Marri commented saying: “This recognition means a lot to me. It’s not only a validation of my work but also a celebration of the stories we tell as a Qatari community.”
For Best Screenplay, ‘It’s Nice in Here’, by the Dutch filmmaker Robert-Jonathan Koeyers, stood out for its innovative storytelling and exploration of identity and social conflict. The award was accepted on behalf of the filmmaker by Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, HE Ferdinand Lahnstein. Ambassador Lahnstein expressed his delight saying: “It is an honour to accept this award on behalf of the Dutch filmmaker Robert-Jonathan Koeyers. This recognition reflects the power of cinema to connect cultures and share unique perspectives, something we are immensely proud of.”
Honourable Mentions were awarded to two Qatari films: ‘Through Her Eyes’ by Lolwa Al Jassim, a moving portrayal of a mother raising a child with autism, and ‘A Simple Cut by Maha Al Jufairi’, which examines societal pressures faced by young girls.
The festival also featured insightful masterclasses at W Hotel, covering ‘AI in Filmmaking’ and ‘Making Films for Social Media.’ We would like to extend a special thank you to our esteemed speakers: Dr Rafael Antunes, Associate Professor at Universidade Lusófona, Dr Pedro Canavilhas, Lisbon-based filmmaker and co-founder of B’Lizzard Motion Pictures, and Hadeer Omar, Assistant Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. Their expertise and contributions provided invaluable insights, sparking engaging discussions among aspiring filmmakers.
The Delegation of the European Union to Qatar extended its deepest thanks to the partners, including the participating EU Member State Embassies, Northwestern University Qatar, VCUarts Qatar, Georgetown University Qatar, Doha Beach Club, W Hotel Doha, Luxury Travel by Latifa, and the creative collaborators Zerohundred and Final Events, for their support in making this festival possible.
“As we look forward to next year’s edition, we are excited to continue fostering cultural ties between the EU and Qatar, inspiring future generations of filmmakers.”
