Speak for your generation—become an Ajyal Juror!
Ajyal returns in all its glory this 8–16 November, and we are now looking for the people who are the very foundation of the festival—you—our Ajyal Jurors!
Ajyal brings young people aged between 8 and 25 from around the world together in a shared spirit of cultural exchange and meaningful dialogue. A celebration of the transformative power of film, the festival hosts engaging workshops, compelling screenings, lively discussions, and opportunities for our jurors to learn from internationally renowned creative talents.
As an Ajyal Juror, your opinion truly matters. By casting your vote, you decide which directors will receive funding towards their next project, helping to guide, support, and champion cinema that resonates deeply with your generation.
The Ajyal Jury Experience
As a member of the Ajyal Jury, you watch films, discuss with fellow jurors and film experts, vote for the winners of the Ajyal Film Festival, and use your energy to bring about positive change far beyond Ajyal.
The experience of being an Ajyal Juror is unparalleled: an inspiring and creative hands-on experience that instills not only an appreciation of film, but also the values of teamwork, critical thinking and leadership.
Over 9 days of the festival, discover global cultures through the powerful medium of film, while making new friends from across the world.
Last year, Ajyal welcomed over 600 jurors of over 50 nationalities—you can be one of them this year!
Join the Ajyal Film Festival Jury from 8-16 November.
As an Ajyal Juror, you will get to:
1- Watch short and feature-length films from all over the world.
2- Vote for your favourite films and choose the Ajyal Competition winners.
3- Meet internationally renowned and thought-provoking guests.
4- Attend workshops and masterclasses on filmmaking techniques and film language.
Jury Categories
There are three Ajyal Competition juries in three age groups. They are:
Mohaq
Mohaq means ‘New Moon’ in Arabic, and these are Ajyal’s youngest jurors, aged 8 to 12. The young people of this jury will watch a programme of short films and four feature-length films.
Hilal
Ajyal’s jurors aged 13 to 17 make up the Hilal jury – the term means ‘Crescent Moon’ in Arabic. Four feature films and a programme of shorts make up the Hilal jury’s festival programme.
Bader
The most mature of Ajyal’s juries, Bader (Arabic for ‘Full Moon’) jurors are aged 18 to 25 and will select their favourite films from four features and a programme of short films.
How to Register
You’re just a few clicks away from joining our unmissable Ajyal Jury experience for 2023. Our registration is open from 3 September – 31 October, and you must be between the ages of 8 and 25 to enroll. The registration process will require a one-time participation fee to secure your place, as outlined below. We hope to see you in November!
Early Bird (if registered before 16 September)
250 QAR
Standard Fee
500 QAR
Siblings Discount Fee (per person)
350 QAR
For any queries, please contact ajyaljury@dohafilminstitute.com.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does the Ajyal Jury programme look like this year?
How do jurors attend Ajyal this year?
What are the dates and timings of the Ajyal Jury Programme?
What fees are involved in registering and participating?
How do I qualify for the reduced early bird participation fee?